Maratona dles Dolomites

Discussion about audaxes & cyclosportives

Moderators: Philip Whiteman, George, laurence_cooley, Andy Terry

Post Reply
User avatar
George
Posts: 2330
Joined: 18 Nov 2006 10:21
Real Name: George Barker
Location: Worcestershire

Maratona dles Dolomites

Post by George » 07 Jul 2011 17:23

Idiotically (given that I can't climb, descend or cope with the heat), I am off to Italy at dawn for Sunday's Maratona dles Dolomites. Andy Terry is already out there and will doubtless be posting about his experiences in due course.

It hasn't escaped my notice what a splendid job Claire, Neil, Sean and others have done keeping everyone back home informed via their blogs. Somewhat intimidated by their efforts (on and off the bike), I have decided to stick to postcards.

You can read them at:
http://www.beastly.haywoodhouse.net/Maratona

User avatar
Andy Terry
Posts: 903
Joined: 20 Nov 2006 14:27
Real Name:
Location: Bromsgrove, Worcs

Post by Andy Terry » 07 Jul 2011 17:32

I'll stick to posting occasionally on here, and maybe Twitter - @AndyGTerry

User avatar
Andy Terry
Posts: 903
Joined: 20 Nov 2006 14:27
Real Name:
Location: Bromsgrove, Worcs

Re: Maratona dles Dolomites

Post by Andy Terry » 07 Jul 2011 17:34

George wrote:or cope with the heat
I wouldn't worry about that, George. Mostly cloudy today, with a few spots of rain. And I am told we will freeze waiting for the 6.30 start on Sunday.

User avatar
Neil Compton
Posts: 256
Joined: 19 Nov 2006 15:39
Real Name:
Location: Northfield

Post by Neil Compton » 08 Jul 2011 09:21

Have a nice ride guys. Just curious how you got your bikes over there. On a plane i guess but did you have to dismantle them?

User avatar
Andy Terry
Posts: 903
Joined: 20 Nov 2006 14:27
Real Name:
Location: Bromsgrove, Worcs

Post by Andy Terry » 08 Jul 2011 15:24

In a padded bike bag - wheels off, bars turned round and under, rear mech detached and bubble wrapped.

User avatar
Andy Terry
Posts: 903
Joined: 20 Nov 2006 14:27
Real Name:
Location: Bromsgrove, Worcs

Post by Andy Terry » 08 Jul 2011 15:25

Just the rear mech, not the whole bike.

User avatar
Neil Compton
Posts: 256
Joined: 19 Nov 2006 15:39
Real Name:
Location: Northfield

Post by Neil Compton » 08 Jul 2011 16:27

Do the wheels fit in the bag as well?. Just curious to know which plane company you went with as well?

User avatar
Andy Terry
Posts: 903
Joined: 20 Nov 2006 14:27
Real Name:
Location: Bromsgrove, Worcs

Post by Andy Terry » 08 Jul 2011 20:25

Wheels go in padded wheel bags then into the main bag. Flew with BMI baby who have an 18kg weight limit for bikes.

User avatar
Andy Terry
Posts: 903
Joined: 20 Nov 2006 14:27
Real Name:
Location: Bromsgrove, Worcs

Post by Andy Terry » 10 Jul 2011 17:47

George and I both successfully completed the 106km course today. My official time was 7:04, not sure about George - at least 30min quicker I think. The event was every bit as good as people say: getting on for 10,000 cyclists enjoying themselves on closed roads in great scenery under blue skies with superb organisation all round.

(Decided not to do the full 140km course, having ridden the Campolongo - Giau - Falzarego section of it the day before)

http://ridewithgps.com/trips/309253

User avatar
Philip Whiteman
Posts: 2045
Joined: 19 Nov 2006 16:17
Real Name:
Location: Drayton, Worcestershire

Post by Philip Whiteman » 10 Jul 2011 21:27

Brilliant!

Well done both. Of course your achievements will be totally void if you were not wearing Beacon jerseys or drinking from Beacon bidons.

Andy, did still manage to find some obscure cycle track along the route? :lol:

George, I hope that you were utilising your over sized Carradice bag to show off Cool Britannia?

User avatar
Andy Terry
Posts: 903
Joined: 20 Nov 2006 14:27
Real Name:
Location: Bromsgrove, Worcs

Post by Andy Terry » 12 Jul 2011 17:52

Image
Image

User avatar
Kermit
Posts: 154
Joined: 20 Nov 2006 18:00
Real Name:
Location: Hollywood, Worcestershire

Post by Kermit » 12 Jul 2011 21:54

Well done both of you. Your description Andy tallies with my experience and if time allowed it's one ride I could just do year after year. Fabulous.

David Cole
Posts: 840
Joined: 21 Nov 2006 08:20
Real Name:
Location: Northfield, Birmingham

Post by David Cole » 13 Jul 2011 08:16

Well done Andy and George

Dave
David Cole

Beacon Roads Cycling Club

User avatar
George
Posts: 2330
Joined: 18 Nov 2006 10:21
Real Name: George Barker
Location: Worcestershire

Post by George » 14 Jul 2011 14:27

Thanks for messages of encouragement here and elsewhere. Formal result posting here:
http://www.beaconrcc.org.uk/message_boa ... 1282#31282

User avatar
George
Posts: 2330
Joined: 18 Nov 2006 10:21
Real Name: George Barker
Location: Worcestershire

Post by George » 14 Jul 2011 14:34

Phil, no beans on toast in Italy, but Bacon butties:

Image

And validation of the club colours requirement:

Image

User avatar
Andy Terry
Posts: 903
Joined: 20 Nov 2006 14:27
Real Name:
Location: Bromsgrove, Worcs

Post by Andy Terry » 14 Jul 2011 19:57

George, Where did you ride Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday?

User avatar
Andy Terry
Posts: 903
Joined: 20 Nov 2006 14:27
Real Name:
Location: Bromsgrove, Worcs

Post by Andy Terry » 14 Jul 2011 20:06

Sorry, Steve - couldn't resist. Apfelstrudel mit Vanillasaus (that's custard to you and me)
Image

User avatar
George
Posts: 2330
Joined: 18 Nov 2006 10:21
Real Name: George Barker
Location: Worcestershire

Post by George » 14 Jul 2011 20:45

Andy Terry wrote:George, Where did you ride Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday?
On Monday I had to work, but my friends rode the Passo d. Erbe Wurzjoch, which they reckoned was the steepest encountered on the trip. On Tuesday, we all went back up the Valparola, down to to Cernadoi, up the Giau, down to Pocol, back up to Valparola (about 83km, 3 passes, 2600m climbing). Wednesday, we just travelled home, with a bit of sight-seeing on the way (no riding).

Enjoy your walking!

User avatar
Andy Terry
Posts: 903
Joined: 20 Nov 2006 14:27
Real Name:
Location: Bromsgrove, Worcs

Post by Andy Terry » 14 Jul 2011 21:06

George wrote:Enjoy your walking!
52km and 2650m of climbing so far - think I'll unpack the bike :?

User avatar
Andy Terry
Posts: 903
Joined: 20 Nov 2006 14:27
Real Name:
Location: Bromsgrove, Worcs

Post by Andy Terry » 14 Jul 2011 21:09

George wrote:up the Valparola, down to to Cernadoi, up the Giau, down to Pocol, back up to Valparola
Wish I had done that route - could have 'bagged' an extra climb on the trip.

User avatar
George
Posts: 2330
Joined: 18 Nov 2006 10:21
Real Name: George Barker
Location: Worcestershire

Post by George » 16 Jul 2011 15:26

I fear that everyone except me and Andy is getting mighty fed up with this topic by now. Nevertheless I have posted my last journal entry here:
http://beastly.haywoodhouse.net/Maratona/Journal.html

And my complete photographic record of the trip here:
http://beastly.haywoodhouse.net/Maratona/Gallery.html

I shall now shut up. (About the Maratona, at least.)

User avatar
Andy Terry
Posts: 903
Joined: 20 Nov 2006 14:27
Real Name:
Location: Bromsgrove, Worcs

Post by Andy Terry » 16 Jul 2011 19:59

Great stuff, George. I might add my own reflections in due course ... meanwhile just a few more days until that 'proper cup of tea'.

User avatar
CakeStop
Posts: 1258
Joined: 17 Nov 2006 21:57
Real Name: Steve Smith
Location: Birmingham

Post by CakeStop » 16 Jul 2011 21:14

Some great photos there George.
Eat cake before you're hungry

User avatar
Grogz
Posts: 291
Joined: 08 May 2010 15:40
Real Name:
Location: Shirley

Post by Grogz » 16 Jul 2011 21:45

Really enjoyed reading your musings, George. But, um...rather a lot of photos of men's shaved legs :shock:

User avatar
Neil Compton
Posts: 256
Joined: 19 Nov 2006 15:39
Real Name:
Location: Northfield

Post by Neil Compton » 16 Jul 2011 21:51

Yes some interesting photos. :)

User avatar
CakeStop
Posts: 1258
Joined: 17 Nov 2006 21:57
Real Name: Steve Smith
Location: Birmingham

Post by CakeStop » 16 Jul 2011 22:10

Grogz wrote:rather a lot of photos of men's shaved legs :shock:
For the avoidance of doubt when I said "great photos" I was referring to the flowers, bikes and scenery :lol:
Eat cake before you're hungry

User avatar
George
Posts: 2330
Joined: 18 Nov 2006 10:21
Real Name: George Barker
Location: Worcestershire

Post by George » 16 Jul 2011 22:33

Grogz wrote:Really enjoyed reading your musings, George. But, um...rather a lot of photos of men's shaved legs :shock:
I'm a little concerned about you, Greg. There are five pairs of shaved legs, and three of the five belong women.

That said, I suppose it is vaguely kinky to go round a show photographing strangers' calf muscles, regardless of their gender. The impulse to do so resulted from a conversation that the three of us had about cyclists' exhibitionist tendencies (briefly mentioned in the journal), in particular their habit of shaving, tanning and flashing their legs. It just seemed like a prominent/fascinating feature of what was going on around me, so I photographed it. If that makes me weird, I'm weird.

But you have nothing to worry about, Greg. Your legs are much too hairy to attract my attention.

User avatar
George
Posts: 2330
Joined: 18 Nov 2006 10:21
Real Name: George Barker
Location: Worcestershire

Post by George » 16 Jul 2011 22:34

And thanks for the generous remarks, all!

User avatar
Grogz
Posts: 291
Joined: 08 May 2010 15:40
Real Name:
Location: Shirley

Post by Grogz » 17 Jul 2011 07:47

George wrote:
Grogz wrote:Really enjoyed reading your musings, George. But, um...rather a lot of photos of men's shaved legs :shock:
I'm a little concerned about you, Greg. There are five pairs of shaved legs, and three of the five belong women.

That said, I suppose it is vaguely kinky to go round a show photographing strangers' calf muscles, regardless of their gender. The impulse to do so resulted from a conversation that the three of us had about cyclists' exhibitionist tendencies (briefly mentioned in the journal), in particular their habit of shaving, tanning and flashing their legs. It just seemed like a prominent/fascinating feature of what was going on around me, so I photographed it. If that makes me weird, I'm weird.

But you have nothing to worry about, Greg. Your legs are much too hairy to attract my attention.
Thanks, George. That makes me feel much better.

Philmondo
Posts: 94
Joined: 10 Apr 2007 20:52
Real Name: Phil Field
Location: Selly Oak

Post by Philmondo » 17 Jul 2011 09:32

Great write-up George. I really enjoyed reading it. Some great photo's too. One day I'm really going to have to go and do something like that; it looks and sounds terrific.
I can gather all the news I need on the weather report.

User avatar
Andy Terry
Posts: 903
Joined: 20 Nov 2006 14:27
Real Name:
Location: Bromsgrove, Worcs

Post by Andy Terry » 17 Jul 2011 20:16

re: posing, you really haven't seen anything until you'vre ridden an Italian sportive

by the way, this is the official Maratona kit:

Image

We were given a 'waistcoat' for finishing - I might just wear it on a club run one day.

User avatar
chalkie
Posts: 125
Joined: 11 Feb 2007 18:07
Real Name:
Location: Drybrook Gloucs

Post by chalkie » 19 Jul 2011 09:50

superb george, permission to put it all to italian opera music come the 2011 dvd :?: :lol:
and on the 7th day God created CLEATS..!

User avatar
George
Posts: 2330
Joined: 18 Nov 2006 10:21
Real Name: George Barker
Location: Worcestershire

Post by George » 19 Jul 2011 09:58

chalkie wrote:superb george, permission to put it all to italian opera music come the 2011 dvd :?: :lol:
Thanks, Charles. You're welcome to use anything you like.

... but it's not really a club activity, is it?

User avatar
Philip Whiteman
Posts: 2045
Joined: 19 Nov 2006 16:17
Real Name:
Location: Drayton, Worcestershire

Post by Philip Whiteman » 19 Jul 2011 09:59

Andy Terry wrote:re: posing, you really haven't seen anything until you'vre ridden an Italian sportive

by the way, this is the official Maratona kit:

Image
With some slight colour substitutions here and there, this design could be the replacement for our sportier 2005 Impsports kit. All the credit for the new Beacon kit should go to Andy for posting this insightful picture. What do the rest of you think?

User avatar
George
Posts: 2330
Joined: 18 Nov 2006 10:21
Real Name: George Barker
Location: Worcestershire

Post by George » 19 Jul 2011 09:59

Andy Terry wrote:re: posing, you really haven't seen anything until you'vre ridden an Italian sportive

by the way, this is the official Maratona kit:

Image

We were given a 'waistcoat' for finishing - I might just wear it on a club run one day.
Andy will be leading next weekend's B run in this kit, I believe.

User avatar
chalkie
Posts: 125
Joined: 11 Feb 2007 18:07
Real Name:
Location: Drybrook Gloucs

Post by chalkie » 19 Jul 2011 10:35

i always have an OUT&ABOUT section for the summer activities and good rides. 8)
and on the 7th day God created CLEATS..!

User avatar
Andy Terry
Posts: 903
Joined: 20 Nov 2006 14:27
Real Name:
Location: Bromsgrove, Worcs

Post by Andy Terry » 22 Jul 2011 08:55


User avatar
George
Posts: 2330
Joined: 18 Nov 2006 10:21
Real Name: George Barker
Location: Worcestershire

Post by George » 22 Jul 2011 12:48

It's worth commenting on what excellent value for money the event photography contractor provided. For EUR 20 you got all the photos of yourself (in my case 13), plus a set of "impressions" (31 general photos of the event). All sorted double quick via a user-friendly website supporting all major European languages.

User avatar
Andy Terry
Posts: 903
Joined: 20 Nov 2006 14:27
Real Name:
Location: Bromsgrove, Worcs

Post by Andy Terry » 22 Jul 2011 12:59

And you get high-res and low-res versions of all the photos.

Post Reply