Italy Divide 2019 – Part 3: Race Report, Days 5 to 6 – Verona to Finish in Torbole

Catch up on my last post Part 2 – Naples to the Po Valley Day 5: Po Valley to Verona I woke to the sound of rain pouring outside. I initially was going to get up early in the dark and ride, but this put the brakes on that – remembering that now I wasn’t planning to ‘race’ I didn’t need to punish myself. It was inevitable I was going to get wet, so I resigned myself to doing that in daylight when it might be warmer. Laying there in the morning light, I checked up on social media and to see what was going on … Continue reading Italy Divide 2019 – Part 3: Race Report, Days 5 to 6 – Verona to Finish in Torbole

Italy Divide 2019 – Part 2: Race Report, Days 1 to 4 – Naples to Po Valley

Catch up on the last post here: Italy Divide 2019 – Part 1: Finding the Right Tool for the Job. The Start The start of the race moved from Rome in 2018 to Naples in 2019. I think in 2020 it was planned to move a little further down the coast to Pompeii, but for 2019 it’s volcano Vesuvius would serve as a stunning looming backdrop on the horizon of the start in Naples. It was on the busy waterfront with thousands of tourists milling around and gathering, pushing the low 30’s. With the start late in the afternoon, it was a case of lingering and … Continue reading Italy Divide 2019 – Part 2: Race Report, Days 1 to 4 – Naples to Po Valley

Italy Divide 2019 – Part 1: Finding the Right Tool for the Job.

Reflecting on a Seasons missed races So here we are, in the 78th(?!) lockdown in the UK, with all plans for ultra racing and trips in 2020 and a fair few in 2021 abandoned for safer times. I had lots of plans dashed, as did we all. It’s been a long time since I’ve posted on this blog, so I thought I’d use some of this extra indoors time to reflect and share some thoughts on the 2019 Italy Divide on a Curve Cycling GXR, aka ‘Kevin’ that I borrowed from G!RO Cycles in Esher, and comparing it with the 2018 Italy Divide I complete on … Continue reading Italy Divide 2019 – Part 1: Finding the Right Tool for the Job.

Dot Watching the Italy Divide 2019

It’s time to go racing! Spring (summer?) has been a long time coming, and the first race of the year is upon me. I’m headed back to the trails of Italy for the Italy divide for the second year in a row, but this time I’m taking a much more appropriate bicycle – a Curve Cycling GXR, also known as Kevin. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not quite as fit as I’d really like to be for this following a couple of setbacks over the winter, but really excited to be getting back to my happy place. What is the Italy Divide? This … Continue reading Dot Watching the Italy Divide 2019

Italy Divide Part 2: Bologna to Torbole

Part 1 available here: The Italy Divide – Part 1: Rome to Bologna Day 3: Gravel Grinding the Po Valley Breakfast was not an option at the hotel, but was glad to leave it despite a late start at 8 am. I had some McDonald’s left over from the night before to keep me going for the first couple of hours. The previous days effort, and illness from the start had started to catch up with me and was feeling a little worse for wear with a hint of a cold coming on. Despite this, I was determined to give it bit of a nudge today. In … Continue reading Italy Divide Part 2: Bologna to Torbole

The Italy Divide – Part 1: Rome to Bologna

What is the Italy Divide? Checkout my post from last April 2018 with all the info Dot Watching the Italy Divide The Bike for the Italy Divide I updated my Curve Cycling Belgie Spirit with a few modifications to accommodate going off road. Bigger tyres, more gears, and some MTB SPD pedals & shoes (for all the walking I’d end up doing). I also added some proper lights – Exposure Diablo and Strada for negotiating trails at night. The rest of the bike was as per my normal Transcontinental road bikepacking setup. Aero bars, with eTap blip shifters, Apidura bags, dynamo lights. Rome Starting the Italy Divide … Continue reading The Italy Divide – Part 1: Rome to Bologna

Dot Watching the Italy Divide

It’s Race Time! So spring has arrived (feeling like summer), and I’m about to begin the first race of the year. In previous years for me it’s been all about the Transcontinental Race, a 4,000 km self supported bike packing race from one side of Europe to the other. I would normally just be thinking about more training, planning, and general preparation for the TCR around this time of year. To mix things up a bit this time around I’ve thrown my hat into some off road riding and the Italy Divide. I’m not setting any expectations for the race other than to enjoy it as … Continue reading Dot Watching the Italy Divide