Dear CR list members. I know this may be a bit early, but I would like
to make those of you who may be interested aware of what could be a real
blast of an excursion being organized around the Eroica Gran Fondo this
coming Fall. Some of you may recall my account of last years ride, and
that I thought that a guided tour was being planned for the 2005 event.
Well, it is now official! An experienced bicycle tour company owned in
part by my long time cycling friend and American expatriot living in
Tuscany, have put the tour on their schedule to run from September 25th
through Oct 3rd, the day after the Eroica. Participants will have the
choice to ride any of the available distances from the shortest 35Km
ride to the full blown 200Km leg breaker. The trip is fully escorted
(and led by my friend Mark Mahan who has organized and led tours for
Andy Hampsten, Connie Carpenter and Davis Phinny and others), complete
with sag wagons, repair facilities, experienced tour guides fluent in
Italian, a four star hotel (most likely in Rado in Chianti) a mere ten
minutes from the start of the Eroica, plenty of great Chianti wine with
visits to several wineries. Of course, there will be lots of vintage
bike related activities including stops at the Gino Bartali museum, a
visit to Irio Tomassinis workshop, the vintage exhibit proceeding the
Eroica,, hopefully one or more swap meets and, of course, plenty of
riding adjusted to the abilities and desires of the participants. The
details of the trip are still a work in progress but I thought some of
you might like to visit the web site of the Tour group and see what is
on the schedule at this point. Costs (of course were all concerned
about that) are still unclear as the Dollar/Euro debacle is still
unfolding and adjustments may still have to be made. As you all know,
fellow list member Charles Nighbor always notes when pointing out an
interesting bike for sale that he is not the seller. Well, I am not
the seller BUT.........since I am the connection to the vintage bike
world, I do get most of my own expenses covered. Anyway if you have any
interest please take a look at the Due Cane cycling tour site at the
following address: http://www.duecanitours.com/
the near future.
Edward Albert
Chappaqua, NY