Category: Photography

New Ride Route, and Dogs Protest

Looking back at the men’s road race I realize that I forgot to mention two interesting things – one involving people we know, and one involving bidons.

The first happened after the race had already passed a couple of times and Colin and I were both sitting on our chairs outside the campervan. Suddenly Colin said ‘that looks like Alessandro’ and called out to two men walking up the road on the other side.

They stopped and turned around, and it was Colin’s friend Alessandro – he’s an Italian that takes photos and submits from time to time to PEZCycling online. They stopped to chat for a few minutes then headed back down to where they were parked a bit below us (note – not the road in this photo!).

The second incident happened while I was at the agriturismo getting the wine. I’d taken my previous photos from across the road and when I was done I’d collected the chair but forgot to grab my water bottle. It’s an Israel Cycling Academy bidon and I’ve been using it for two years now whenever I ride or travel. I like the colour, and it’s kind of special to me – the team doesn’t exist under that name anymore so I can’t replace it.

Anyway, Colin had seen a fellow stop and pick it up but didn’t realize what it was until it was too late. I wonder what the guy thought about the traces of lipstick that were around the nozzle – haha! I did pick up one new bidon that I didn’t have yet – AG2R – but I think I’ll now use one of the Quickstep bidons we snagged from Tirreno-Adriatico.

It had rained quite a bit during the night but we thought it would be ok getting out – the campervan has front wheel drive and the slope to the road was very gentle – but alas, we were wrong.

We slipped and slid but just couldn’t make it. We gave up and walked down to the agriturismo to beg for help. They were so kind – no problem at all, they said they’d be right there.

We returned to wait for them, and were standing near the road when a small 4×4 truck pulled up. We tried to tell him that help was coming, but he’d already attached a strap to the pull-hook Colin had, but right then the farmer arrived on his tractor. We thanked the 4×4 driver so much for stopping – it was very kind of him.

The farmer attached his chain and had us up on the road in no time. I pointed to the tracks we had made in the mud while trying to get out but the older fellow that had also come up told me it was only a minor thing – no problem. We thanked them profusely – both for getting us out of the mud, as well as letting us stay three nights on their property.

The drive home was mostly uneventful, except right at the beginning the new, fancy gps led us slightly astray and we had to turn around and backtrack several km – we were on the right road, just heading in the wrong direction.

Since returning to Papiano I’ve gone on more bike rides, now exploring the hills to the east.

Just over the Fiume Tevere (Tiber river) and across the motorway there’s a small road that winds up and over the hill past a deer farm to the next valley – it’s just beautiful.

Colin’s new bike finally arrived – it’s an electric mountain bike with huge tires and an even more powerful battery than mine. Henry has been to the vet several times now – he is incessantly thirsty, and thus pees a lot. They’ve ruled out diabetes and are now doing tests on his adrenal glands.

We went for a lovely ride this morning – the first time Colin’s been on a bike since his accident several months ago.

The views everwhere around us are always gorgeous, but the road surfaces often leave much to be desired.

We stopped at Antonio’s bar for a cappuccino on the way back but still got home in less than an hour and a half. I was the first one in the door and realized immediately that something wasn’t right – there was a smell.

The doggies had both met me at the door so I knew they were ok but I suspected ‘protest pee’ on the floor. It turned out to be much worse – not only had they both pooped, but they’d also gotten into the garbage can – it was tipped over and the bag was completely ripped apart with the contents spread all over the floor. They’d even ripped open tea bags!

I laughed so hard I almost cried – neither one of them likes getting left behind and they made it very clear!

World Championships – Men’s Road Race

Quite a few more people walked up the hill past us, and a group of folks set up a canopy complete with an air-horn (which I can’t stand). The weather was very unsettled – fairly windy with threatening looking clouds.

The racers first appeared just after 10:30 and there was already action – a group of seven had gotten away almost immediately and already had a four minute lead by the time they got to us.

They made the circuit every 50 minutes or so, and I moved across the road a few times for a different view.

I got a decent shot of Nibali…

…as well as Michael Woods…

Before the last pass I hiked down to the agritourismo to see if they could sell a bottle or two of wine – no problem! Although it did take a bit to track down the right person. First – it looked like just a large private house – no signs or anything.

I walked all the way around and looked in one open door – it was the ‘restaurant’ with one person in it – he didn’t speak english but he did call for the cook to come out. She directed me across to the ‘bar’ that had several people at tables drinking and watching the race on tv, but no one that looked like they worked there.

Just then a fellow came in that I’d seen up on the road – I think he’s the one with the air-horn – he spoke pretty good english and understood what I wanted. He located the right person who opened up the wine room and got me what I asked for – success! And I must admit that the air-horn wasn’t nearly as annoying as I’d expected – I think they were surprised by how loud it was and ended up hardly using it.

The breakaway slowly began to fall apart, and was eventually swallowed up by the peloton. There was, of course, more than just Woods riding for Canada – I especially like the maple leaf on their socks.

Then big news – Alaphilippe attacked on the second climb of the final circuit! After most of the riders had passed I went to the campervan next to us – the fellows were watching the finish in Imola on tv.

I was very happy that Alaphilippe managed to hang on and is now world champion! Shortly after the finish the parade of spectators coming down the hill started, and all of the cars and campervans around us left.

We decided to stay the night where we were as the journey home was way too far.

World Championships – Women’s Road Race

The morning of the women’s road race was bright and beautiful. We happen to be parked right across from a sign indicating that we’re on the ‘Strada del Sangiovese e dei Sapori’ – basically the road of excellent red wine and good food!

The women today and the men tomorrow follow the same route, although the men do four more circuits.

The Volvo that was parked next to the road last night was now encircled by red and white tape, and partway thru the morning a race organization car pulled up. The two men asked everyone if they knew who owned it – there were by now a couple more campervans and cars – but no one knew.

They then phoned the licence plate number in and tracked down the owner, who I think was at the agriturismo upon whose land we’re all parked. Eventually someone arrived and moved the car further off the road, which was lucky for them as not long after a couple of large tow trucks passed with vehicles on them that had presumably also been parked too close.

Throughout the morning the usual parade of amateurs rode by, but since it’s a fairly short circuit we got to see most of the men doing recon rides as well for their race the next day.

The women did five circuits of the course, first arriving at 1:34 as a basically intact group with only a few stragglers .

By the third pass there was a breakaway of several riders, including a Canadian.

The peloton was by now quite broken up with many small groups and single riders strung out over several minutes.

On the fourth round there was a sole leader – dutch rider Anna van der Breggen, who won the ITT two days previously.

She managed to stay in front thru the last circuit and was victorious in Imola once again – brava!

World Championships – Men’s ITT

The morning of the men’s ITT was quite blustery but at least the thunder, lightning and rain we experienced during the night had passed.

As we were having our morning cappuccino in the cafe I said ‘I just felt a raindrop’ but there were absolutely no clouds anywhere near us. It was a very misty kind of rain, and the waitress came out and cranked up all of the large umbrellas – it was very strange, and must have been due to the sometimes fierce wind.

We returned to the campervan and decided to go just out of the town to a roadside spot we’d seen the night we arrived. We said goodbye to our Belgian neighbours and relocated a couple of km north.

The weather conditions changed every fifteen minutes, blue skies one moment, threatening rain the next.

It never did actually rain, although the wind was pretty constant.

I got decent photos of Brit rider Geraint Thomas…

…Belgian Wout Van Aert…

…Dutch Tom Dumoulin (winner of the ITT in 2017)…

…as well as defending champion for the last two years Aussie Rohan Dennis.

Dennis was unable to repeat again as Italian Filippo Ganna came thru the fastest to the delight of the local fans.

We took down the flags – one of the poles had partially collapsed in the wind – and drove east a bit to pick up the route for the next two days’ road races. We thought we’d found an ideal spot at the top of one of the two climbs, although it was extremely windy.

We’d just had a lovely dinner and I was finishing the dishes when there was a knock on the window – we were being told to move as we were in a restricted area. The fellow was nice enough but we had no choice.

We drove a bit further and stopped at a fairly large pullout – there were already a few campervans there, as well as some police having a somewhat heated conversation with a german lady. We wanted to know what they were discussing when a car pulled up and the man inside told us he had a place we could park.

We turned around and followed him but he turned off the race route and was leading us too far. We thanked him for the offer and returned back past the other campervans to another likely looking spot that had one campervan well off the road, a Volvo near the road, and a couple of policemen.

We pulled in and asked if we could park there – they said they didn’t know whose land it was but as long as we were at least four meters from the road they wouldn’t make us leave. The place is on a very fast part of the course – downhill from the summit of the second climb and just past a tricky s-curve so they’re concerned about crashes and don’t want any vehicles too close to the road.

Long Rides, and To The World’s

The last 10 days were spent in Papiano – enjoying cappuccinos at the bar, and going for nice long bike rides.

I have a couple of favourite places that I go to and am averaging almost 40 km per ride now.

I love the small shrines that are all over the place, as well as the war memorials that every town and village have.

There was another Saturday night dinner at the bar, complete with live music and dancing – a fun evening with good food and good conversation.

We left for Imola on a Wednesday morning – the world championships were moved there from Switzerland because of covid, so lucky for us we got to go. There will only be four days of racing instead of the usual eight or nine, but it’s better than nothing.

We chose the town of Borgo Tossignano as our base for the first two days – its about the midway point for both the women’s and the men’s individual time trials. We found a nice paved parking area right on the route, within walking distance of cafes, etc. so it was perfect.

Only one other campervan was there when we arrived – a nice couple from Belgium who, like most Belgians, spoke very good english.

TA Stage 7 – near Recanati, Bailing on the ITT

Yet another beautiful morning for the second last stage of Tirreno-Adriatico. We re-confirmed that the race will pass our spot three times before the finish in Loreto.

This stage is called the ‘Muri’ because of the many small but brutal climbs. We’re between Loreto and Recanati just near the top of one of the climbs.

There’s a cemetery just below us and Mo and I walked down to look around – it wasn’t exactly what I expected.

There was part of one wall that had the usual small internments with plaques with flowers, etc, but the majority of the place was large individual ‘houses’, some of which were quite ornate and beautiful.

I got my bidon collection together and I’m not missing too many – maybe I’ll complete it today or tomorrow.

At one point in the morning, before we’d opened all the shades, Colin noticed someone outside about to put a piece of paper on our windshield. I opened the side door to investigate – it was a policewoman who was going to leave a notice that we were going to get ‘locked in’ around noon when the road would be closed. I assured her we wouldn’t be moving as we took photos of the race and she thought that was great.

For the first pass of the riders I went a bit down from where we were parked in the churchyard – I could see a ways down the road as they came up the hill.

Froome and Nibali were both near the front of the peloton.

For the second pass I stayed closer to where we were parked – I could see Loreto in the distance where they will finish the stage.

After the breakaway had passed all of the team cars pulled to the right-hand side of the road – the peloton was within two minutes of the break so the cars all got the order to pull over and get out of the way.

Yates was once again staying safe near the front of the peloton.

On the final pass a young Bora rider was alone in front, followed by several others including Mathieu van der Poel.

At the end of the day Van der Poel won the stage, and Yates held on to the overall lead. Our Belgian friends with the large motorhome had been in the churchyard parking area with us and came to say goodbye – they’re leaving right away to drive up to France and catch part of the Tour.

They gave us two gifts – a small box of Belgian chocolates, and maybe even better, a card with their home address, etc on it. They live near Zwalm, which was our ‘base’ last year for all of the Spring Classics – nice to have some fellow fans to get together with!

We stayed another night in the church parking area, then headed south to San Benedetto del Tronto for the final stage – the individual time trial.

We abandoned our plan once we arrived in the city – even more streets than usual were already closed and we realized we wouldn’t be able to take the dogs. It was starting to get pretty hot and we felt we couldn’t leave them alone in the campervan for hours and hours. After driving fruitlessly around the narrow, very busy streets I suggested zipping home to watch the stage on tv – this was a good decision.

It was only a few hours before we were in the comfort of the house with the air-con on cheering as Yates managed to hold onto the overall lead – even Geraint Thomas couldn’t pick up enough time to beat him.

Another great Tirreno-Adriatico – getting to see seven out of the eight stages was pretty satisfying. Next – on to the World’s in Imola!

TA Stage 6 – near Sappanico

We had a nice quiet night – the bells on the church didn’t ring once, let alone all night long.

We went into Senigallia for groceries then followed the day’s route along the seashore – they go up and down several times but we decided to go back inland a bit to one of the small climbs that they only do once.

We meandered a bit on and off the route, and finally chose a spot just outside Sappanico, which was good as they were already closing the roads. After a quick bite to eat we picked our spots, and didn’t have to wait too long.

Yates was staying safely near the front in his overall leader’s blue jersey.

After the race passed we headed to a town we’d been at last year, although the route is different – as is the churchyard we stopped at.

Mo and I took a nice walk – the church is on a hill and there are some great views of the wide valley below and the towns on every hill.

TA Stage 5 – Climb to Sassotetto

After a nice sleep-in we arose after 7:00 – the doggies usually stir well before that so it was nice to get a little more shut-eye.

When I took Mo for her morning walk I was amazed at the lovely golden tones in the light – just a beautiful area, and so peaceful.

We followed the route for about 50 km before turning onto a faster road to the town of Sarnano where we stopped for a delicious cappuccino.

I took a short walk around while Colin finished his coffee – it seems like a lovely place, although as so many towns in the area had been heavily damaged by the quake in 2016.

It’s a town that caters to many things – hiking, biking, skiing and also has thermal baths.

Continuing on our way out of the town, the last 13 km of the day’s stage is all uphill to the finish at Sassotetto – not an easy climb.

We drove all the way to the top, then backtracked a few km to a nice pullout where we stopped, only to find that the satellite dish wasn’t working – oh well. As I was cooking our lunch of pork sausages and mashed potatoes a car pulled up and the fellows started talking to Colin. He called me out to interpret and I realized that it was two of the men we’d met at Strade Bianche! We got to meet their wives and then they were on their way further up towards the summit to watch the race from.

As usual the arrival of the first racer was immediately preceeded by no less than seven motos and two official cars – and the sole rider was Simon Yates.

Michael Woods was about a minute behind, and ended up losing the overall lead, but still placed well at the end.

We ended up with another five bidons at the end of the day, and we even traded a Trek one (we had another) for an Ineos Grenadiers that another fan had gotten.

Trek was what he’d really wanted because Italian hero Nibali rides for them now, so we happily traded, even tho Ineos is our least favourite team. Their bidons are quite spiffy looking, however, so we’re not disappointed.

Many of the racers zipped back down the mountain on their bikes, even tho we’d seen all of the team buses go up the hill hours earlier. The sprinters and stragglers were still coming up for almost half an hour, so the down-coming rides had to take care as they were descending extremely fast.

After bringing down the flags we headed down the hill and north to the motorway that took us east to the Adriatic, where we continued north just past Ancona. Our stop for the night was a large church parking lot in the town of Ostra, which is very near the next day’s route.

TA Stage 4 – near Castelluccio

Up nice and early we headed for Castelluccio to find a spot to watch the next stage from. The drive was thru very beautiful countryside and we even saw the trees that form the map of Italy on the hillside.

On the flat plain there were folks parked that were landing after para-gliding. There weren’t any planes taking them up that we could see, so we assume they take off from one on the nearby mountains and catch the updrafts.

We were parked in a fairly large flat area and several team cars joined us to hand out bidons.

Michael Woods, wearing the overall leader’s blue jersey and his team’s distinctive pink helmut was safely near the front of the peloton, along with Nibali.

Since it was a large area near the end of a climb many riders were ditching their bidons – I ended up with my largest haul yet – nine! I actually don’t know what I’m going to do with them all, but I really enjoy collecting them.

After the race had passed we backtracked to the town of Visso where we turned north and picked up the route for the next day’s stage. Visso is one of many towns and villages in the area that were severely damaged in the earthquake of 2016.

We followed the route markers until a bit past the town of Tolentino where we pulled into a nice little flat space on the side of the quiet road – good place to spend the night.

TA Stage 3 – near Saturnia, and Horses on the Course!

After waking up before 3:00 I really didn’t get much more sleep, but I always knew what time it was – the local chuch bells in this village don’t considerately turn off at night like many do.

After a bite to eat we proceeded to follow the route for a ways, then found a campground where we could drop our water, etc. Once that was done we got back onto the route and came across some folks we’d met before.

They are a couple from Belgium that travel in a very large motorhome, complete with a motorbike in a compartment at the back. They sometimes help a couple of the teams hand out waterbottles, and are especially close with Quickstep. They offered me some bidons that I hadn’t gotten yet – FDJ and Sunweb – my collection is growing!

We returned to a spot we’d passed earlier – just past a bridge, then two sharp corners at the beginning of a climb. We were alone in our choice spot until another car joined us, then a couple of team cars pulled in up the road a bit to hand out bidons.

The race passes our spot twice, and as I was testing my shots on the motocops I ran into a problem – the camera’s memory card was full! I ran back up to the campervan to retrieve my extra card but the damn packaging must be child-proof or something. I couldn’t rip it open quickly enough so I grabbed my other camera and took the card out of it.

I rushed back down to my spot in time to see the first racers arrive just before 2:15.

I was happily shooting away as the peloton began to pass, then again the camera stopped working – another full card! I couldn’t believe it.

Of course right then the most unexpected/spectacular thing I’ve yet seen at a race happened – right below me I could see the bridge before the first sharp turn, and what was on the bridge racing along beside the riders but two horses!

They were obviously terrified of the cars, motos and helis but had nowhere to go so they just kept galloping up the road straight towards me. I have no idea what the riders thought but I was freaked – I ran up to the other man that had parked near us and was grateful when he seemed to know what to do.

He waved his arms to get the horses’ attention just in time to avoid getting stampeded by them. We have no idea what happened to the poor things but they made it by us with no one getting injured.

By the time the race had passed on the first circuit I’d settled down a bit and managed to cut open my new memory card – so much packaging for such a small thing!

On the second pass it was Cdn Michael Woods in front! And he managed to hang on and win the stage but not only that he took the overall lead!

We hadn’t put the flags up so it took us little time to get on the road. Because of where we were, and where we were going next we decided to pop back to Papiano for the night. Laundry and a shower were both much appreciated.