Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => Audax => Topic started by: JayP on 27 October, 2016, 09:21:02 pm
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Just received this email.
Dear Organizer,
I am pleased to inform you that, on the initiative of one of our companies, next June 24th 2017 will take place a 1600 km "randonnée"(hikes) in Italy, the "999 Miles of Rome and the South" with BRM approval.
The hikes will start from the center of Rome, will reach Matera then return to Rome through the National Park of Abruzzo. Any news about it can be found on the site http://www.audaxitalia.it/ (http://www.audaxitalia.it/) .
We count on your cooperation for giving evidence to this event and we are ready to return the courtesy for any of your projects.
Thank you, good work and best regards
Luca Bonechi
(President Audax Randonneur Italy)
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This could be a ride for me.
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There were some flyers about at the end of the Miglia 1001 this year. I'm definitely up for this! There are few organised rides that have ventured this far south in Italy - which is pretty stunning scenery! :thumbsup:
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On the radar. Pissed me off having to miss the Miglia Italia because of a NOFF, so it'll be good to get some sun and some miles in before LEL.
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The only think I know about Italian geography is the Alpy bit is in the far North, and the bottom bit is like a boot.
Is this likely to be a gentler parcours* than the 'Miglia?
<googles "National Park of Abruzzo" ... Wild Boar! Run away !!! >
*Anyone know the Italian for "parcours"?
EDIT: ooh hang on - nearly forgot. This is a Plastic Hat event country, isn't it? :-\
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Have to look-up seasonal average temperatures.
June sounds cooler than August, on the other hand, this is southern Italy...
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Is this likely to be a gentler parcours* than the 'Miglia?
I cycled the southern part of the Appenine's in April I had a 30+ km climb :-\ it was also nearly 30C a few days lower down. this was further south than Rome but north of Naples.
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Is this likely to be a gentler parcours* than the 'Miglia?
*Anyone know the Italian for "parcours"?
The total elevation is announced to be 10000 m per the percorso, I finished the 1001 miglia with 15000 m.
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A nice little promotional video here:
https://vimeo.com/191260132 (https://vimeo.com/191260132)
Having ridden the Miglia1001 four times now, I like the idea of a “GRAN RANDONNEUR D’ITALIA”. So, just three more 'Big' Italian jobs to complete:
- 2017 999 Miglia
- 2018 Alpi 4000
- 2019 6+6 Isole
(http://www.audaxitalia.it/media/organizzatore/180/4BREVETTI_BROCHURE_ENG_DEF.pdf)
At €99, a bargain! Pre-refgistration until 30 November for €10 (via PayPal) http://www.audaxitalia.it/index.php?pg=iscrizioni&org=180&obid=706&p=calendario_rm_1200 (http://www.audaxitalia.it/index.php?pg=iscrizioni&org=180&obid=706&p=calendario_rm_1200)
Something to look forward to for next season!! ;D 8) :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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Have just been reading about this fantastic event, and watching the video. Must admit I like the sound of the 8 day randonneur version, with hotels every night...I must be getting soft in my ''old age.''
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Is this likely to be a gentler parcours* than the 'Miglia?
*Anyone know the Italian for "parcours"?
The total elevation is announced to be 10000 m per the percorso, I finished the 1001 miglia with 15000 m.
Running the published track through the AUKometer, it comes up with 27AAA...
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Running the published track through the AUKometer, it comes up with 27AAA...
Hot Digidy-Dog, I'm entered, so doin' it!! ;D
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Running the published track through the AUKometer, it comes up with 27AAA...
Hot Digidy-Dog, I'm entered, so doin' it!! ;D
I'll be seeing you at the start then! :)
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Me too :thumbsup:
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For your Christmas viewing pleasure, when you're feeling a bit lethargic from the mulled wine and turkey, the route has now been published:
Stage 1 - http://www.openrunner.com/index.php?id=6875583 (http://www.openrunner.com/index.php?id=6875583)
Stage 2 - http://www.openrunner.com/index.php?id=6875588
Stage 3 - http://www.openrunner.com/index.php?id=6875600
Stage 4 - http://www.openrunner.com/index.php?id=6875608
Stage 5 - http://www.openrunner.com/index.php?id=6875873
Stage 6 - http://www.openrunner.com/index.php?id=6875883
Stage 7 - http://www.openrunner.com/index.php?id=6875889
Stage 8 - http://www.openrunner.com/index.php?id=6875894
Stage 9 - http://www.openrunner.com/index.php?id=6876542
Stage 10 - http://www.openrunner.com/index.php?id=6875912
Stage 11 - http://www.openrunner.com/index.php?id=6875939
Stage 12 - http://www.openrunner.com/index.php?id=6876273
Stage 13 - http://www.openrunner.com/index.php?id=6876301
Stage 14 - http://www.openrunner.com/index.php?id=6876446
Stage 15 - http://www.openrunner.com/index.php?id=6876412
Bring on those blue skies and sunny weather!!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
...Hadn't realised the Mille Penines is just the following weekend after finishing this - I imagine the weather being a stark contrast to Southern Italy :o
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Click image for Google Earth and hours of 3D fun. :)
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/26765083/999.jpg) (https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/26765083/999.kml)
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Running the published track through the AUKometer, it comes up with 27AAA...
Hot Digidy-Dog, I'm entered, so doin' it!! ;D
''The total elevation is announced to be 10000 m per the percorso'' A quote from the earlier part of the thread.
Not sure how to reconcile 10,000m of climb with 27 AAA- doesn't that mean approx 27,000m of climb, so harder than Mille Miglia? Was the original info a guestimate?
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27AAA = 27,000m climbing. I derived this from the published tracks so worth a further look but sounds plausible. Even in the SE of the UK reckon on an average of 1,000m climbing per 100km, and Italy has proper mountain ranges. I'd read 'Dislivello oltre i 10000 metr' ('difference more than 10000 meters') not as an estimate, more a declaration that it is officially "not flat".
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Looks like a stunning route.
Just eyeballing that map suggests 27000m climbing is realistic.
Would be very tempted if I could make the dates!
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The blurb for the Grand Tourist version (i.e.same route but with 180 hours 7.5 days to complete) says 18000 metres of climb overall.But that may not be final yet (see next link)
http://www.dreavel.com/eng/1/package-holidays/1765/999-miles-randonne-in-rome-and-south-italy/?utm_source=Rando999miglia
Also gives useful info re the route. But I read that the organisers are route-checking in January , and it says that the route tracks (as posted above by Veloboy) may be amended to reduce the amount of climb:-
'It is noted that some steps may be slightly modified to ensure better practicability without tackling the distances but only on altimetry.
The types of checkpoints and services will be announced in January, once the inspections completed.'
I suppose we need to await the final route, when posted, for best estimate of amount of climb.Should be an amazing ride!
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News from the 999 Website...
"IMPORTANT: The hourly limit of BRM patent has been extended from 144 hours to 150.
To make it even more interesting, enjoyable and secure the path you have made some changes that increase the overall height difference. To compensate for this increase we lengthened by six hours the maximum time for all those who want to live this experience in a more relaxed way. These additional six hours also allow the possibility of using the day, the beautiful bike path of 20 km from the GRA that leads to the center of Rome."
This is good news for full value riders, as it allows for completing the last section in daylight, with a 1pm finish instead of 7am.
On the other hand, they may well need the extra time for the even more interesting, enjoyable and secure route...
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Latest communications says about 20km climbing.. practically flat :)
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But will there be a glass of prosecco at the top of the climb?!! ;D
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Still places available if you wish to enter. :thumbsup: I registered on Saturday for the 168 hr BRI version, and have booked flights, and reserved a room nearby. Just need to improve fitness by a few 100% ;), and think about reserving one or two strategically - placed hotels along the way for short recoveries.
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Latest update:-
ARI AUDAX RANDONNEUR ITALY NEWSLETTER (20/02/2017)
HURRY - STILL A FEW PLACES AVAILABLE
Dear randonneur,
the deadline for the closing of entries to the 999 Miles is close and, for those who had not already done so, you can register by February 28, the figure of 122 €. The goal of 333 participants has already been reached with a major presence of foreign cyclists from around the world.
The path verification and services we can offer is well advanced and thus even now we can afford to satisfy additional requests that arrive more than that number being able to guarantee 16 manned check-dining options including 10 with dorm. This necessary clarification as compared to some misleading news and unfounded press reports. We will also be able to define an additional list of private structures to which they can address in a further stop.
As you know the maximum time for the ACP patent is 150 hours and is valid for the "Granbrevetto the Grand Tour Italy", as well as for the Italian Championship, while for the ARI patent, which may allow to ride at night only for the first stage is 168. The route is completely frecciato, is challenging but totally doable and extraordinary beauty.
Each finisseur will be awarded a medal and the last two arrived within the maximum time, with the meshes of Carollo and Malabrocca.
They are forecasting more surprises that will be communicated in due course.
The bag drop, at a cost of € 20, is established in the town of Matera Montescaglioso.
Further inscriptions, obviously subject to availability of extra places by the organization and the structures prepared, will have the following costs:
€ 122 by 28 February
€ 144 1 to 31 March
€ 166 1 to 30 April
and it may be conducted through the site audaxitalia signposted.
You can pay by credit card or by bank transfer for which references are given in the 999 Miglia page .
Thank you all for your confidence and for the best success of the 999
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Email received today stating that the GPX tracks have been finalised and are available on the website. Look forward to reviewing them when I get home. :thumbsup:
Who else is still going to Rome and how are the preparations going?
I'm riding a 600 soon and then tapering with a 300k ride. Not really fit again for the hills yet but hoping that it was a wise choice for me to go for the 168 hour limit!
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Yes indeed, I am looking forward to this and hard to believe it's les than a month away now!! ;D
I'll be arriving early Friday evening and returning the following Saturday (BRM 150hr time limit).
Got a 600 tomorrow (Brimstone) and maybe something longer next weekend depending on how this one goes; then a 300 on 10 June. That's it really!
Bring on the Italian sun and hills!! :o
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BCM was my warm up/jump start event. Riding to and back from Asparagus and Strawberries from London next weekend which should make up a 600k. Doing this slow and gentle, with 4 hours sleep and 3 Italian meals a day, plus 2 pizzas.
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I am in :thumbsup: nearly. 6,000miles in my legs and new cassettes arrived today , didn't fancy doing big climbs on 39x21!!!!
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I'm in too. Hotel booked and flight arriving Saturday afternoon... hoping for a speedy journey into the centre of room for registration and unpacking my bike. Expect to take the full 150 hours for the BRM enjoying the scenery and food.
Asparagus and Strawberries is my next audax outing and then it'll be mostly on the turbo trainer at varying degrees of intensity until the last week of June.
Look forward to seeing you all there.
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Going down by train on the Friday, hoping to arrive midday on the Saturday. BCM my warm up. Feeling a bit hot in the recent good weather here has got me thinking ...
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Anyone else said yes to the transponder hire?
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Yes to transponder from me. Haven't ordered any ride kit yet though might order some for post-ride souvenirs.
Arriving on Thursday afternoon, and resting before my Saturday evening start. At least I'm not flying BA! Will probably book the large taxi in advance from Ciampino to B& B Easy, where I'm staying near the start. Hope they wont object to storing my bike box for the week. Pity that registration and finish is some distance from the start. Might be worth asking the organisers to supply a GPX linking the two, in addition to the 'Bike Angel' service they are providing.
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I'm registered for the BRM schedule but after having spent the last week touring (and three days travelling home from Nice, thank you, BA) it occurs to me I may be better off on the ARI. I'll have a good look at the route profile before deciding. It's not the climbing, it's the gradient! I fly out on Saturday mid morning so in theory could make the 7pm depart, assuming its allowable and my bike makes it in one piece (and on the right plane). :)
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+1 also to transponder.
Travelling out Friday arriving early evening, staying in Travestere, about 1km from the revised starting area, but now somewhat further away from the revised finish. Between the two, it's an easy journey along the cycle path on the Tiber river - traffic free and easy.
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With expiration on Wednesday, May 31, all subscribers to 999 Miles will have to send the following documentation in pdf or jpg format:
- Copy Card of the Cycling Club to which you are associated
- Copy of medical certificate
- Copy of the Form (downloadable from the site) signed
Send email to info@bikerando.com (do not use other addresses)
Subject: 999 - DOCUMENTS - SURNAME - NAME - (indicate 150 or 168 hours)
Thanks for collaboration
Just noticed this email, recd Friday! Any comments?
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It did tell us about the deadline in the instructions. I'm going to miss it with the medical note -- I'm using a revised version of the one provided for the Miglia.
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Does anyone know which form they are referring to (when they ask)?
'Copy of the Form (downloadable from the site) signed'...?
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That's a bit of a problem... i haven't received this email. Checked, junk and trash and nothing since the transponder email on 22nd - did everyone else receive this email?
Have written to the reply email and will await a response.
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I sent an email saying I would be late with the med cert, and rec'd a reply:-
'OK Fabio.'
So the deadline is not set in stone.
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I've now sent them all the documents, apart from the liability release form, which is in Italian and I'll do later.
Maybe they chased me first as I'm now 60?
Forgot to say, there's a good Medical Form template available for download on the Eroica website.
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I've now sent them all the documents, and had them Okayed! :)
Has anyone booked any hotel rooms, BB's etc., or are you all relying on the basic dorms?
I had pre-booked a few rooms in February, but looking last night only one (in Sorrento) may be useful (which is fortunate, as they took advance payment). The others are in places no longer visited by the route, or a few kms off the final route, so I cancelled them.
I think I might just chance it and if I'm ahead of schedule just take an available room if I find one on the route at a convenient time.
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Hotel Rooms? Dorms? I'll be taking a space blanket... Nobody will be more surprised than me if I get more than a couple of hours sleep a night. :)
I'm currently on the BRM schedule which in retrospect seems a bit ambituous and I'd be assured of more company on the ARI schedule but my travel plans are long since set, flying out Saturday morning. Even if I could switch to the ARI schedule it would mean a 5am depart from home to start riding at 7pm, which feels like setting myself up to miss two nights sleep with a very stressful day inbetween, so I'm inclined to stick with the BRM group. For about 30 minutes or however long it takes them to drop me. :)
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The dorms in the Miglia last year were rudimentary affairs ... concrete floors with fluorescent lighting in one case, a gravel car park in another (and no food) ... the space blanket was my salvation last year, letting me sleep in a field; this year I'll be taking a sleeping mat as well. Looking at the guide, though, it seems like there might be a bit more on offer?
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The dorms in the Miglia last year were rudimentary affairs ... concrete floors with fluorescent lighting in one case, a gravel car park in another (and no food) ... the space blanket was my salvation last year, letting me sleep in a field; this year I'll be taking a sleeping mat as well. Looking at the guide, though, it seems like there might be a bit more on offer?
Thats the impression, though how much space there will be for tail enders is another matter. For me, a daily shower is more important than a bed. I can sleep anywhere if I'm tired enough...
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The only think I know about Italian geography is the Alpy bit is in the far North, and the bottom bit is like a boot.
Is this likely to be a gentler parcours* than the 'Miglia?
<googles "National Park of Abruzzo" ... Wild Boar! Run away !!! >...
And wolves. And bears. ;D
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Paul,
On last month's trip you displayed two very relevant skills:
- sleeping on a plane
- arriving in a dorm and waking everyone up.
I feel you can leverage these towards a successful strategy.
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Just wanted to point out the Italians are, as usual, flexible in their rules, so if you are entered for BRM you can still finish up to 18 hours later and go home with BRI
The rules stating:-
'At the starting line, depending on the options chosen by each, will be delivered 3 different travel cards:
• one for randonneur who want to obtain the patent BRM (within 150 hours). If you exceed the maximum time you can always achieve the BRI patent.
• one for randonneur who want to achieve the BRI patent (within 168 hours). If you exceed the maximum time you can always obtain the Diploma of GrandTourist.
• one for the GrandTourists who wish to obtain the Diploma of GrandTourist (within 180 hours).'
Of course that assumes you won't miss your plane home by finishing late :facepalm:
I'm not really bothered about time taken, just want to enjoy the ride, hence I entered BRI. I will try my best though to get back by or before 7pm on the Saturday (deadline for BRI), as I have a return flight booked on the Sunday morning.
As for dorms, I found on the Miglia in 2010 that we slower riders rocked up just as the fast guys were vacating the beds or mats. It was nice to stay in a real b&b one night for a few hours though -improved morale no end.
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... however on the 999 there will be another wave of fast riders coming up behind you. Not me, obvs...
@Matt... though my real talent is getting 90 minutes sleep on a 90 minute ferry crossing. :)
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I've now sent them all the documents, and had them Okayed! :)
I have done the same, but have heard nothing back. I assume everything is OK, but will take hard copies just in case.
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I've now sent them all the documents, and had them Okayed! :)
I have done the same, but have heard nothing back. I assume everything is OK, but will take hard copies just in case.
I believe that the BRM's have a different volunteer in charge, and looking at the paperwork than the BRI's (who have Fabio). Maybe the other chap doesn't acknowledge? I will also take hard copies along as well, just in case, and the ARI Randocard on my phone and printed out.
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Earlier in the year I remember reading the list of entrants and nationality, but now I can't find one? Where (on the website) is it available?
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http://www.audaxitalia.it/index.php?pg=calendario_rm_1200&org=192&obid=913
There's a link on the left "Iscritti"
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And the link for the 'musical postcard video', which seems to have gone away?
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Very detailed and professional-looking final information received on an email link this morning, with Gpx tracks, Road book in English, town and city maps, stage descriptions, route-sheets, etc, all dowloadable on Smartphones.
Doesn't say, but I assume the GPX's have changed? The previous versions were described as final, I think?
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Just had confirmation from Fabio that '(The GPX) track on site has been updated and is final.'
So I have to re-load all the 17 tracks once more tonight...Such fun.
Did anyone else notice (the advice in the Road Book to take care in) the 40km tunnel section on one stage! I hope its downhill? Though there is an alternative road to the side mentioned.
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There were a couple of tunnels somewhat longer than a kilometre during the Indian 200 I rode a few weeks back. They were quite long enough for my taste.
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I particularly like reading the description on stage 14 from Morcone to Letino:
"It is
recommended you do not attempt
to pass over the Matese alone
at night. Wild animals including
wolves and eagles populate the
area."
:o
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Stage 14 is the one with 1600m of climb in 54km. Hence we will be slow-moving targets like ''sitting ducks'' for the wolves and eagles ...(gulp)
Luckily I don't have ''Hungry like a Wolf'' on my ipod. ;D
Perhaps extra points in the '999Selfie' Competition for one with a wolf? :hand:
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And the link for the 'musical postcard video', which seems to have gone away?
Found that, posted here by veloboy! 40km tunnel... mebbe if its raining... though next weeks forecasts seems remarkably similar to the UK this week.
I know its heresy but I'm thinking of leaving the (clip on) mudguards at home...
My favourite stat is that... to all intents and purposes the events starts near sea level and between 20 and 30km climbs from 200 to 650m.
Looks like I'm gonna be 'shelled out' sooner rather than later!
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a 40km tunnel under land in Italy is bolleaux
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_longest_tunnels
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A 40km tunnel does sound unlikely. :o It would be the longest in Europe. Its on stage 8 from Tricarico to Montescaglioso, according to the Road Book- maybe they meant 4km?
I have just loaded the 17 GPX files to Garmin, and noted that Stage 15 is called '999M14' on the Garmin, so I renamed it as 15, and notified Fabio. Took me ages wondering why stage 15 wouldn't load!
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Have you noticed there are two different link to download the GPX tracks:
- The first being the direct links to the individual stage Openrunner tracks on the ARI website: http://www.audaxitalia.it/index.php?pg=calendario_rm_1200&org=192&obid=913 (http://www.audaxitalia.it/index.php?pg=calendario_rm_1200&org=192&obid=913)
- The second being the direct download (Zip file) of ALL the stages on the 999Miglia website: http://www.999miglia.it/doc/999_tappe_gpx.zip (http://www.999miglia.it/doc/999_tappe_gpx.zip)
I wonder if they are both the same? On the Miglia1001 there was a similar issue, and unfortunately had different sets of information, which caused a lot of confusion the first night on the road, as riders were following different tracks! The file sizes seem to be slightly different, as do the naming conventions.
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From Fabio's reply to me, (mentioned above) I would take the most recent Zip file (on the 999Miglia website) as final. This is available as a whole of ride GPX or the 17 individual stages.
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Had a walk through the roadbook last night. Went from an initial panic to a "this might be doable...". Doubtless that will wear off soon enough...
The upside is that the schedule seems to allow for being at a control at the end of each day (whenever that might be), which makes setting clear objectives for each day of the event straightforward... much simpler than trying to set and stick to some arbitrary milage plan.
On my full value 150hr schedule it boils down to roughly three 300km days of medium hard, three 200 days each featuring some very hard, and a final triumphal cruise into Rome on the final morning.
What could possibly go wrong? :)
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Anyone heard from our intrepid adventurers? Not a dicky bird from Manotea yet - but he's a taciturn bugger.
USian Mark Thomas posted on Facebook:
"Arrived Pompei in ruins. It's 5am and we are going to try to regroup for a hillier day tomorrow.
388km 3749m
"
:o
Mark is ... quite a strong rider!
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Pete Mas:
https://twitter.com/PeterMastenko/status/879319642786979840
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I finished last night at 23:00 after setting off on Saturday evening. John Bookman and the Hampshire Wheelers guy he rides with, were a couple of hours ahead of me. I had a couple of good over night bed and breakfast stops which made things more comfortable for me.
The ride was so Italian - if you have ridden any of the long distance rides her you will know what I mean!
I may write some thoughts when I've composed them.
It's been very hot and humid, the forecast is for thunderstorms so good luck to everyone else out there!
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Well done Humpdoc. It sounds like a great adventure!
Is the cutoff 2pm Saturday for BRM (Italia time)?
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Finished lastnight at 21.50 with veloboy. That was bloody hard. The heat a killer and setting out to finish thursday night, ie 5days.
Just daft.
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Well that all went a bit pear-shaped from the off...
Broken rear gear cable on first bit of climb after 25km with the cable nipple stuck in the shifter, followed by locking coming undone.
Called the orgs and as a Sunday with no shop open they suggested I catch a train to Caserta where they would meet me to carry out repairs. So skipped about 200km of riding and rejoined the route with organisers consent.
Hellish roads around Vesuvius: cobbles; badly set granite flags; potholes; heavy Sunday night traffic.
At Meta di Sorrento around midnight. Ate, showered, slept for a couple of hours. Avoided the worst of the traffic on the Amalfi Coast by setting off at 4am. Caught and passed by Mike Tomlinson at Amalfi. Memorable comment: "Wonder what the accident rate on this ride is?" Temperatures starting to rise fiercely. At Paestum at 1pm.
Flat roads until climb to Roccaspide. Very, very, nearly taken out by driver of a 4WD pick-up truck that had no intention of stopping at junction as he descended a side road. Anticipating he wouldn't stop, I slowed before the junction only for the driver to swerve and bounce over a traffic island bringing himself to a halt a metre from me. He gets out and does the Italian sweary driver thing.
Next climb is up to Corleto Monforte which doesn't begin well with a 25% - 30+% walk up a "goat track". Cue tears and questions of, "What am I doing here?" Unbearably hot on the rest of the climb. Arrive Altima Lucana around 6.30pm shortly followed by John Barkman, Paul Whitehead, rider in Audax Kernow jersey (Humpdoc?) also present.
Set off on the very climby stage to Tricarico at around 4.30 and made good progress until the heat of the day started to kick in again. Wasted 2 hours in Potenza trying to get cassette lock ring properly sorted but ended up with another fudge. Second near miss when an approaching Mercedes driver mis-timed a left turn and came to a screeching stop. Eventually arrived at Tricarico at about 12.30.
The next stage should have been one of the easier ones but that idea was quickly dispelled by the intense gusts of heat on the descent where it felt like someone had just opened the door of a commercial oven. The road rolled on without shadow or shade to hide from the sun. About 12km before the control at Montescaglioso I found myself utterly deflated, without water and suffering from heat exhaustion - riders were reporting temperatures of 39-43C. I was rescued by a couple of Italian riders who'd scrounged some water from a farmer working in a field and then again a kilometre later when I caught the pair riding back along a dusty track from an Agriturismo.
I sat under the shade of a tree, stripped off my shirt and waited for my temperature to drop. Another pair of Italians arrived and headed off down the track to find water so I asked them to collect a bottle for me. When they returned they stood around laughing and pointing at the city on the hill, that popped out of the landscape like a broken bone, clearly insinuating that was our destination and there was a nasty ascent to come.
Arrived around 6pm, ate, showered, rested and continued on towards Alberobello through the night. Only a couple of minor dramas on this stage: the feeling of being absolutely lost in the dead of night on a stretch of strada bianca that went on and on and again feeling lost in the narrow alleys in Martina Franca's old town.
By now I was making decisions: with no BRM possible, since I'd already skipped 200km and another day of potential heat exhaustion ahead, I rode to Conversano knowing I was going to bail. Gave in my notice at the control and went and booked into what turned out to be a rather boutique B & B. Train to Bari, where I am now enjoying rest and gelato by the Adriatic. Train to Rome early tomorrow morning.
No complaints on my part ;I was totally underprepared both physically and materially and this was a very unforgiving course . The kilometres I did ride, passed through some fantastic locacations. Support from the organisers and volunteers was superb as was the southern Italian hospitality. Time for more ice cream and sea air.
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What a nightmare... apart from the mechanical, I was almost there a few times on this very arduous randonee.
Things that saved me:
I started with the 168 hour group not the 150 hour group. I ruptured my Achilles' tendon last August so a pounding of this magnitude induced some trepidation. My left calf is half the size and strength of the right one. I knew I would be tested on the climbs. I even used a 54/34 32t rear which was brilliant. Anyway getting back to the point .. riding through the night at the head of this group helped me make progress relatively quickly in the cooler but not by much night.
I got my head round the constant near death experiences as outlined, I have had an adrenaline fueled career in A&E departments. I am also a very experienced cyclist and ride with every sensory input and human behavioral experiences I have gained in all my high mileage years of audaxing.
I made sure I always had water or was topped up enough to be passing urine regularly. That along with the electrolyte tablets saved my kidneys! It was extremely hot - probably the hottest conditions I have cycled in.
Supermarkets, Bars and gelaterias were frequent stops. The extra water bottle was a life saver a couple of times.
I had a hotel stop after 27 hours. I had 7 hours sleep and a good breakfast. This was repeated
at Lentino 48 hours later. It's incredible how refreshed and reinvigorated you get after doing this if you have time. It enabled me to finish last night after a total of 134 hours.
There were a lot of issues with this event but taking everything in to account I had an overall positive experience the more I reflect on it. It was certainly an adrenaline inducing ride for all the wrong reasons!
Looking forward to the Dolomites next ...I think.
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Short report from my phone....
I'd always regarded the 1001 as off limits because it's in August and I cannot handle hot weather, so I jumped at an event in June. Cue heatwave in June. So it's all my fault. Sorry.
I stopped at the coop outside Anagni, the first control in zombie mode. Bought something to eat and drink and dozed for about an hour then pushed on to the control, which was on top of a hill, arriving just in time. Stopped again a while then pushed on but going too slowly. After about 60k, I turned into a bar to buy some water, sat in a chair and basically stayed there a couple of hours, dozing on and off. By now it was about 7pm. The day was colling but it was still hot enough and the schedule was shot. It was game over as there was no way I was going to make the series of climbs to control #2 in my current state. So I got a room for the night. My 999 basically lasted about 8 hours. :)
After that I decided to cruise on and see how far I could go, which was Potenza, about 650km, where I got a train back to Napoli then the next day(Friday) to Fondi, where I retraced the route to Rome, about 150km. So about 800km for the week. Lost a a lot of time because of a a series problems with my chain. I arrived at Ruviano, the third control (long deserted), about 3am with the chain in my saddlebag...
Lots more to say but it will keep for now other than to say I've had a mega week... the view of the bay of Naples and Vesuvius at sunset alone made the trip worthwhile.
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This was the inaugural edition, so no previous experience with the course.
The ride was seriously hard work; the heat and UV intensity was off the scale. Makes Miglia1001 look like a cake walk [and I have done all four editions].
5 Days was a big ask; sleeping at controls was a bit rough, with too much noise.
Some beautiful countryside and places along the way.
In hindsight, I'd say do it in 6 days, which would be a bit more civilised and within the 150hr BRM time limit.
Definitely no a course to race around; you really want to enjoy the scenery and locality!
Great epic Grand Tour in any case!
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Whoa! That was a tough one. I had made all my plans during the time of winter frustration and half a year ago it seemed like a good idea. Assuming about the same conditions as on 1001Miglia I planned for a five day trip and booked hotel and return flight accordingly. Like many others I got this seriously wrong. The five day schedule for this ride made for an extremely stressful experience on this route in this heat and wind in this traffic on these roads.
Initially I had meant to ride along with veloboy, but we were separated in the Via Appia chaos right after the start. I never saw him again on this ride until after the finish. From then on I was underway in varying constellations, with some riders from Audax Schleswig-Holstein, quite a lot on my own and from Letino on with a Norwegian and a couple of Italians.
The heat was really intense and the phrase “burning sun“ got a very palpable meaning. It felt like an insect sting that just wouldn't subside until I realised the cause of the pain and applied some more sunscreen. Later on in the ride the dry wind got worse day by day, drying out my thorax no matter how much I drank. I am now afflicted by a sore throat and have been coughing up muck like never before. Apparently my body wants to get rid of residual dirt of Southern Italy.
But what really got to me were the “roads“ and the traffic. Ankles, knees, wrists and bum had to cope with a ceaseless pounding, the circumnavigation of Naples being the low point. I had to ride about half of this section out of the saddle. In mostly congested conditions. At eleven on a Sunday night. I do not want to know what that was like on Monday morning. And the drivers... apart from the two or three near death experiences a day those people have some annoying habits. Along the route there were a large number of side roads and car park exits. And out of each and every one of these invariably a car would emerge as you passed it, every single time. And every one of these cars would move halfway into the road, such as to test if you were serious about your right of way or whether you might give it up for them. About ten percent chose to simply ignore you and just drove on. In every village or town, every hour every day. The low clearance passing has already been mentioned, at one control Julian remerked that quite a few of the cars had their mirrors folded back so they could move in even closer. I really grew tired of that and just wanted the whole thing to be over. The final stretch back into Rome was a fitting conclusion to the whole affair, intense rush hour traffic on bumpy, narrow, crowded roads. HGVs shooting past within inches and that was only because you happened to be on the side strip at the time. Anything but triumphant.
As is common after these rides the exhaustion and sleep deprivation take their toll, general recollection is sketchy at best. Consequentially a fair and thorough assessment of the 999Miglia will have to wait for a few weeks. For the time being I am just glad I got through alive, even in reasonably good condition. I cannot recall any real fun bits and am not sure if I even want to visit that part of Italy again. But there were also good moments. Like the woman in Tricarico who got out her way to lead me to the control with her car as I was standing helplessly bowed over my GPS unit. The friendly helpers and the excellent local craft beer at the Melfi control which I had exclusively to myself for the entire duration of my sleep stay. The incredibly friendly staff at Montescaglioso who fed me, got me into the shower and handled my drop bag for me. And many others of that kind. Like when I was climbing out of Athena Lucana in a state of extreme desperation and suddenly the traffic got less, the air got cooler and fresher and entering the Basilicata this turned out to be a somewhat friendlier region.
I concur with my fellow riders, if you want to attempt this make no mistake, it will be some of the toughest stuff you ever try and tackle. Do not make my mistakes. Cutoff time was 13 hours on Saturday, so book your return on Sunday, not Friday, and get some leeway for an easier day in the middle or some hotel nights. Use the full time available and try to have some more fun.
As I am typing this I am sitting in Calfosch trying to recover enough for tomorrow's Maratona. After that I will definitely need some rest, worrying over LEL will have to wait for a few days.
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My 168 hour schedule allowed me more time to rest and I think I only rode on 3 complete nights, despite being a full-value rider. Started Saturday eve at 7pm and finished the following Saturday at noon in 161 hours so 7 hours in hand. Loved the Italian style of the event especially the 'Rando Book' we got stamped at the 17 controls, also the t-shirt and ride kit - there were even a some souvenir watches to purchase. Very easy-going compared to PBP, with no bike inspection or enforcing of the rules as far as I could see. The controls provided more food and drinks than I expected, and I got a bed or camp mattress whenever required. The volunteers were very helpful.
The scenery was excellent especially The Abruzzo National Park (think epic mountain scenery) and the Amalfi Coast.
The heat was not too much of a problem for me as used to go on hot country CTC Tours in the 80s/90s. Plenty of drink and cake stops!
The terrible intimidating driving demonstrated by some drivers has been mentioned above, and the bumpy roads in places. Also improved my sprinting no end, because of being chased by so many dogs. When one chased me uphill, I simply got off and walked (carrying the bike) with the bike between me and the dog, so the dog quickly tired of the situation.With 168 hours available I was able to enjoy the ride better as a fast tour, and took 239 photos, mainly of scenery, not to mention lots on the phone, for posting FB and Twitter. Will post a link when I get time. I was caught out by the change in the weather on the Friday night, but luckily had made it down the 30 min descent before the rain. However I got the shivers on the next descent when all shops were closed. My rain jacket was no use as it was in the bag-drop.. :facepalm: The bumpy roads were a pain at times, especially on busy roads where cars would try to force you onto the potholed edges. More later.
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It was an epic ride indeed!!!
I ride the whole way round with postie; and we initially started as an English groupetto (including Angstbremser); but all got operated on the ancient Apian Way cobbles, early in the ride. While postie and I regularly met up with Mike and Ray, we never found Angstbremser, who was always slightly ahead of us...
Nice to see Pete Mas around half way round, and also a brief encounter with Manetoa at the start!
Our ride went something like this:
- Day 1: Roma - Ruviano 303km
- Day 2: Ruviano - Antena Luccanco 287km
- Day 3: Antenna Luccano - Castel del Monte 431km
- Day 4: Castel del Monte - Morcone 238km
- Day 5: Morcone - Roma 350km
Yes, the roads were as to be expected [by that i mean a nearly bankrupt state, so poorly maintained for well over the past decade makes riding in the middle the only safe option].
The heat was so intense, that on day 3 we just had to make up time - that was a 03:00 start and 03:30 finish the following day (so 24:30 hours in the saddle).
The traffic at times was rather unpleasant; however, this was to be expected and generally only had a few occasions when I felt vulnerable and unsafe on the road.
Overall, it was a great event with many long-lasting memories!!
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I think the some unpleasant stretches of road (I mean highways with traffic) were a necessary drawback to take us to every beautiful spot they wanted us to visit. Now that I'm back home, I have difficulties remembering the pain in these roads, while most of the beautiful sites are written in my mind. So all in all, I appreciated this ride very much.
Some pictures I took along the way : http://cathie.charbonnier.free.fr/piwigo/index.php?/category/51 (http://cathie.charbonnier.free.fr/piwigo/index.php?/category/51)
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Before I forget. It must be an Italian thing, but just as for 1001Miglia a few years ago a number of tunes to this ride materialised again...
First, we found out in our hotel room that Italy still has music television channels that will actually play music:
https://youtu.be/TwjMiWgCi8E
The next one was a bit weird. After the rider briefing on Saturday we went back into Roma centre following the 168h riders. We were led on a winding route through the city past a number of sights including the Colosseum. A strange idea on a Saturday afternoon in a place swarming with tourists. That weekend there was an open air concert on the Piazza del Popolo and this tune played as we went down the cobbled serpentines from the Balconata del Pincio:
https://youtu.be/n2OhdMJWAc0
The Wind Summer Festival also featured this one:
https://youtu.be/9l7H09mX4nE
This last one played on the TV in a bar in San Giorgio del Sannio where I stopped for the canonical beer/coke/brioche/gelato just before the unusually speedy transfer of Benevento:
https://youtu.be/FQkaH5ppFek
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Loads of pics taken with my Canon S120 (compact).
https://www.flickr.com/photos/125694528@N06/albums/72157685968268876
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Have now added more pics and longer description
https://www.flickr.com/photos/125694528@N06/albums/72157685968268876
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Has anyone had the 999 show up on the My Results section of the AUK website?
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No ,you will need to ccontact the recorder.
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Thanks.
(Almost Masonic.)
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and have we received a homologation number? I can't find one on the brevet book, or certificate ...
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I've just been sent an email link to my ride summary video - a nice souvenir of hot Southern Italy summer days on a chilly and dark December day.
https://youtu.be/8WoHS4xqL1k
Must get fit for the Alpi 4000 next year starting now!