A Heroic Finish - not such a good look

Tut!

Baa Baa CAP Sheep...

Chief Crusader finds a new vocation as a mobile shepherd...

Cake STANEVAL admires the potential.,.

And the team races on to second breakfast!

OMG!

45 mins from first pic to second - 6km, 300 m of climb and gradients of 20%!

It's not about the breakfast but...

At last a breakfast worthy of Heroes! 

And now for the team brief

End of Day 3...

Colin, if you are reading this, the Chief Crusader says that you should be working harder... And yes, I will try and blog more pictures of the cycling and less of pictures of cake. I am pleased to report that the Northern Crusader found a new pair of legs today and this has greatly assisted with progress. Indeed he was rejuvinated, but we would not go as far to say young (or good looking) (or athletic)...

So, an important lesson today... don't lose sight of your passport. Luckily, their are some very good people in Italy, who will return it to you [won't do that again... I hope].

Agriturismo is the way to see Italy and we have been received and welcomed so warmly over the last few days.

Tomorrow we ride once again to the hills, with a cheeky little climb post-first breakfast and then, supposing a herioc finish, last night madness calls...

A last chance to sponsor your heros at http://www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/RAFItalycycle

R&R

After a magnificent day's riding, it was great to be able to chill out for a couple of hours in the sunshine.  Almost 70km and 1000m of climb, but wonderful rolling countryside and amazing views.

Our heroic Crusaders anticipate another fine meal - they hope...

Downhill all the way...

Fortified with coffee and cake, our heroic CAP Crusaders enjoyed kinder rolling terrain; fast and fun. Now, lunch beckons...

Yes!

Oh oh, more cakes (a new record at only 6km)...

Montalcino - First Breakfast ?

Who knows?

L'Eroica...

FROM 1997, L'EROICA IS A EXAMPLE OF DEVELOPMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL HERITAGE, OF THE SUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLE OF CLEAN CYCLING. A WORLD WHERE EVERYONE IS THE HERO IN HIS OWN WAY: WHERE THE IMPORTANT THING IS TO SHOW THAT YOU CAN SACRIFICE WITH A SMILE FOR A HEALTHY PASSION.

(Giancarlo Brocci) 

Ride Day 1 - Summary...

First stage complete, capping a ride of circa 95km, 2000m of climb and having burnt close to 3000 kcals. A day of highs and low - a broken rear mech and resultant extended lunch until spare bike arrival delayed progress, while the climb into Montalcino will be forever etched into our minds... But the pros were some very fine cakes (one of our heroes managed to eat his own body weight in custard slices - you might be able to spot him in the photo above...) and the weather was nice...

To the delight of the team, the Chief Crusader commemorates the 96th birthday of the mighty RAF (and DE&S vesting day... Not)

The accommodation was a welcome sight and the shower even more so, with almost everybody enjoying hot water... Sunset and local wine, produced on site (and a very fine Brunello, 2008) concluded a long but enjoyable day.

Lessons Learned

- Remember the green cross code and the correct side of the road.

- Uncleat before stopping.

- Two cream cakes is enough; cream cakes are nicer than gel bars...

- 1100 cut off for cappuccino 

- start training earlier before the exped...

- Don't let bluntly do the recce...

Pre-ride Prediction

Frodo Baggins predicts an easy ride tomorrow... We will see!

Siena Breakaway!

While we wait for a spare bike, the Fantastic Four make a break for Siena!

Man Down!

Breaking news (litteraly) - rear mech failure...

Oh Siena....

Car!... In joke...

Cock L'Eroica

Soon...

Day 2: First Breakfast - or is it?

A heroic Crusader enjoys a hearty breakfast with his friends, before the day's challenge... 

Hello Mr Limoncello!

A splendid team building dinner  "- now the hard work begins!

Post-fettling Nosh...

So frantic fettling on 'top of the range' Halfords bikes - how bad can it be?

 After much male-grooming banter between two of our non-flying heros, off to the only place to eat in town - litteraly...

When in Rome!

Wonderful to see the sunshine.  Let's hope the bags are here too...

On the bus, off the bus, on the plane, off the plane, on the bus...

You get the idea... Safely arrived at Heathrow, the CAP Crusaders enjoy a hearty second breakfast... Well, 2 of us thanks to the Chief Crusader's special Lounge Card (sorry team, but the bacon butties really were very good...)

Day Zero: Practice Pack

Day Zero and the day before tomorrow, when our brave CAP Crusaders will attempt to complete L'Eroica, a 205km cycling stage that seems to attract a retro theme which can be witnessed at L'Eroica.  The only retro aspect of our heroes ride will be the riders themselves! Can they do it? The next few days will tell...

But you can help them along the journey by sponsoring them at: Fundraising Page

"There are those who grow their belle époque mustache. Those who arrive late at night, shake the backpack from their shoulders and sleep in a sleeping bag. Those who could do two hundred kilometers, but prefer to do seventy and enjoy the show, and above all the refreshments".

(Stefano Affolti / La Provincia di Varese)