Good ride DG. Allergies have finally stopped me for now. But I can't complain, 4 races and half of blockhouse are a pretty good spring start for me. I rode at lunch las tweek and ran 10k on Saturday. I will stop for a week or so and try to recover to race at the end of june.
sud

Didi say there are over 9600 signed up this year?
sud

Easy ride today to loosen up. a little rain.
Weather forecast is still partly cloudy high of high of 23°c low 18.
Tuning up, carbing up.
sud

1° GF delle Gravine, Laterza.
My GPS said i did 133k in 4.32 minutes at 29.5kph but for some reason it excluded the first few k.
Iggy's computer said 136k@ 28.5.
Gianni will have an official time we should be able to work it out from there.
900m of vertical, mostly in three climbs.
my GPS says i burned 4134 calories.
i am now at 171.6 pounds (78 kilos).
sud

Saturday I dragged Ignaz out to my stomping ground for a pre 9 col training session. We got off to a late start and only had time for two laps of my 22k circuit and then up to Gorgo Freddo ravine for some steep climbing. 250 meters in 2.5k. My gps blacks out in the trough of the ravine but given that the first part is a gentle grade there must be a kilometer of 12- 14%. Overall it was an even 60k in a howling wind with 1000m vertical and an average speed of 24.6. I was up front for most of the ride and could have easily done another couple of laps. I figure I am at least as fit as last year.
gargano proved to be a bridge to far because of the distance and family commitments, but I hope to do a local Granfondo http://www.cclaerte.net next Sunday to finish of my training.
sud

Igaz' added the exact same compact as mine. FSA Gossamer w 50x34 12x25. We were screaming on the climb today. after a very average start we closed at 31.4 avg speed.
sud

230, that's a lot of weight to push up 1300m. I say Wally was the hero of the ride. Sounds like slo was an "egreggio" stand in for il Derny Giallo.
It was 30°c here yesterday. I did the rcircuit solo @ 30.01 kph. I am feeling pretty good, 1.5 kilos lighter than at lanciano and at 172.5lbs about the same weight as 9colle last yea with lessgut and two more weekends to train. I havn't been doing any long rides bit i expect to change that.
A big change is that i took an alergy treatment this year and am breathing much, much better. I hope it takes me through the olive season. I hope to pass the anti-doping :)
sud

It's official. I am now a card carrying member of the FCI, or Federazione Ciclistica Italiana. Category master 3. I get my jersey next week. Our sponsor installs hydraulic systems. We will do them proud. Fasso Bortolo watch out!
sud

Late Saturday afternoon I attempted a ride. Bad idea. I was just tired. I was cold, it was windy, there was too much traffic... the sun was in my eyes. After 25k and one climb I called it a day. Just not prepared to suffer.
Sunday was sunny and warm. I ran the 10k race at a steady 4:35 min/k. A little slower than last year but I have been doing very little specific training. I am a firm believer in cross training. Steady cycling puts you in excellent form to participate in a running race, unfortunately the reverse is not true. But running does improve your resistance.
Sud