I’m now only 7 days away from my 2nd shot at the Strade Bianche Gran Fondo (‘the most southerly northern Classic’), which I wanted to do again in good weather. I give you the latest forecast for Siena for next Sunday:
Last year it rained nearly the entire 5 hours I was riding and the high was 9 degrees. I guess I can’t complain about what’s coming (but I will).
Training is going well, I think. I’m feeling stronger every week, and even though I still haven’t seen my weight dip under 70 kg, I’m looking leaner. In the end, that’s what counts, I believe.
Since I started my no-program training program in December I’ve logged 91 hours on the bike. I was surprised to see that this is 10 more than this time last year, meaning I should do 10% better in the race, obviously.
The 2018 version of Strade Bianche will be done with friends, most of whom you know already. They include Karsten-with-a-K; the guy who keeps me honest in 44|5 Cycling Tours – John; Sarah, a fellow Canadian who I believe will be doing her very first sportive; and Stephen, a friend from New York who’s coming over just for the race (and the food and the wine and the good weather).
What we can expect next Sunday is a fabulous route that starts in the old fortress of Siena, followed by 140 km of wonderful Tuscan roads, punctuated by 8 sectors of gravel / mud roads that total 31 km. Our route is the same one the pro women will ride the day before us.
Finally, of course this gran fondo finishes with a brutal (but mercifully short) climb up to the very heart of Siena…
…with the finish line being in the Piazza del Campo, where no matter how wrecked and wretched you are, it’s only a few awkward steps in your cleats to an espresso, a slice of pizza, or a bottle of Chianti.
The Vicious Cycle 
I’ll be there watching the elite races on Saturday and cheering on the sportive riders on Sunday – good luck.
Do you do this every year? I think you were there last year, too, right?
Hi Sheree, Of course I join you in wishing Gerry (and Karsten annd Sarah) the best of luck. Besides that, I just followed your link and see that you “developed a passion for cycling rather late in life.” Me too, perhaps without the rather. PACA is big, but if you are close enough to Montpellier want to meet up for a coffee or pedal? Suze
Good luck Gerry, I’m with you in spirit – and still might see you at Paris Nice…
-Rich
Good luck Gerry, I’m with you in spirit! There’s still an outside chance I’ll see you at Paris Nice, we’ll see. -Rich
Thanks, Rich. The weather for Nice at least is looking decent. If you and Fanny are there, hope to meet up.
I hope that the weather gives you a break this year. Good luck.
Thanks. I suppose I need a little rain in my life from time to time.
Sounds like you’re on track for a good ride this year. And good luck to the others. Sarah has chosen a good one to initiate herself into the sportive world.
Should be fun. John found a weather site that showed a better forecast, so we’re sticking with that.
Good luck …keep the ingestation of Belgian toothpaste to a minimum