I didn’t tell you this, but I signed up for the Maratona gran fondo in Italy a few weeks back. They have a lottery system and my number didn’t come up. Disappointed, but undeterred, I waited around for something else ‘epic’ to fall in my lap. Thanks (in a roundabout way) to Chikashi, I have found it.
The pro version of this race is the biggest cycling event in Holland and part of ‘Ardennes Week’, which happens after the big Belgian races in early April. This ‘tour version’ is a timed sportive, and has a whole bunch of different distances to choose from, peaking at the same 250 km as the pros use. I opted for 200 km because I’m not a complete maniac. But I could be convinced to up it if you join my team!
Yes, I created a ‘Vicious Cycle‘ team when I registered. If anyone out there wants to join up, just click on the banner above and enter your details. It’s a lottery, too, by the way, so you’ll have to wait till January to find out if you’re ‘lucky’ enough to go and haul your carcass over the never-ending hills of southern Holland.
The event is conveniently being held on Easter weekend, which helps (me at least) with logistics. It’s also sponsored by a brewery, so I’m looking forward to the goodies bag.
The Vicious Cycle 
“You can also have your picture taken with one of our ‘Amstel Gold Race ladies'”: OK, this is definitely a pull… but it’s a week before LBL, so I’ll have to save the ladies for another time…
You should be able to do the 250, Gerry. With your new toy, I don’t think you have much excuse!
Well, the ‘new toy’ actually makes the cycling package even heavier than last year. I’m looking forward to it turning into something more than dead weight. I’ll need more convincing to change to 250, I’m afraid.
You will have lost enough weight to more than offset it!
Joking aside, I think 200 is quite enough, especially for the route profile!!
I’m sure you’re right about that, Chikashi. Haven’t looked deeply yet, but I imagine there’s a fair bit of climbing, too, with all those little hills on the course.
…and only 3 feed stops!
Sadly I am busy that weekend. What a pity. Good luck with it.
That is a shame. All that training you got on the ‘bergs’ of Languedoc this September will have gone to waste.
Just when I was reaching my peak too.
Hi Gerry
Have a look at the Stelvio Santini. Few of us were looking at doing the Maratona but too much hassle, so we have
entered the Stelvio instead, looks like a fab day on the bike. Great value to enter at only €40
which includes a Santini jersey. A lot of other great climbs in the area to clock up as well.
Regards
Paul
Thanks, Paul. Once I got on their site I realized I’d been there before. Looks like a great event, but I’ll be in Scotland that weekend, unfortunately. Would love to hear how it turns out, though.
Would like to have joined you at the Amstel but off to Majorca the week after so too close in time. If you’re in Scotland do you have time for a cycle? Let me know and we can e-mail direct.
Jules, where do you live again? I’ll be with the folks, so probably no time for a ride (but you never know). We’re meeting in Edinburgh and doing a road trip around the country for a week. Never been, so looking forward to it a lot.
Majorca sounds nice. Sounds familiar – are you doing a training camp down there, or just a holiday?
Nice one! Anyone riding LBL end of April?
I’d love to do that one, too. Are you thinking about it, Carsten?
Yes. I hope o decide within the next 10 days
On my wishlist are:
rundumkoeln.de
Liege-Bastogne Cyclo
and http://www.radamring.de/de/
last one is 24 h with a 4 rider team
every lap has 26 km an 500 HM
maybe we can form a team
That last one looks insane. I’m no F1 fan, so I didn’t even know about that track. I can’t believe how much elevation gain there is…on a race track! Anything’s possible, although the calendar is filling up quickly. How many for a team?
Its 1;2;4or 8 a team. For me 4 a team is fine. Then each has 6 to 8 turns. And its not the f1 course. Its the old one . Today Moto and so on. Best tarmac I have ever riden. On one descent there is a speed cam. 90 plus is possible..
I knew it was the old one, but I just assumed that was also an F1 track. Shows how little I know about motor racing!