04.10.2015 Giro di Lombardia

The Giro di Lombardia (English: Tour of Lombardy) is a cycling race, in Lombardy, Italy. It is the last 'Monument' of the European calendar, and also one of the last events in the UCI World Tour, making it potentially decisive in that competition. Its nickname is "the classic of the dead (falling) leaves" (Italian: la classica delle foglie morte) because it takes place in the autumn.

The first edition was 1905. It was then called Milan-Milan. It gained its current name in 1907. The route has changed many times. Milan, Sesto San Giovanni, Bergamo, Varese, Monza, Como have been start or finish place. In 2004 the race started in Mendrisio in Switzerland, and ended in Como. The most famous obstacle is the Madonna del Ghisallo climb that appears in the latter part of the race. A shrine there has a small museum containing religious and cycling objects.





Fausto Coppi won a record five times. Frenchman Henri Pelissier and Irishman Sean Kelly are the only non-Italian riders to win the race three times.

This race has a certain significance to me, I’ve been lucky enough to ride quite a bit in the area around Lake Como, and obviously, as someone with a certain amount of respect for and interest in cycling history, a “pilgrimage” up the Ghisallo was just one of those things that had to be done – Bikes ridden by Coppi and Bartoli, Moser and Merckx – plus the crumpled bike that Casartelli was riding when he crashed on the Col de Portet d'Aspet during the 1995 Tour de France.



I even got “Madge” blessed for me while I was there…



There's the usual great information on LaGazetta's website, regarding the Race Route, climbs and so forth at
http://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/GiroLombardia/en/

Okay - i've tried riding today (sunday) and I really wasn't "feeling it" so I'm going to go with my Saturday Ride for the challenge folks...

https://www.strava.com/activities/730735207 - a measly 29.2km and 237m of ascent...

Day started as wet as an otters pocket, misty and damp, cool, and properly autumnal.

Decided to hit the paths and bridleways on the Cross Bike...

Managed to get a shot or two of the "fallen leaves" whilst passing through the woods...



little did I know, that the roadside church would also have its own set of fallen leaves on the floor...



and soon after, back home, I was on the Italian Style "recovery drinks" *yes, it's decaf, I'm not allowed the proper stuff yet... still espresso roast though, but I struggle to get a decent Crema with these beans...



and, despite not really burning enough to justify it, I tucked into a "italian-ish" evening meal -

Risotto with 2 Beans, Mozzarella and Basil Stuffed Chicken Breast wrapped in ham, and Roasted Baby Vine Tomatoes with Black Olives.

Yum.



So, that's +4 bonus points by my reckoning - probably more than the distance and ascent get me

narak_lol wrote: »

Did had a couple of coffee the problem is they were gone before I remember to take a pic

I think my coffee was picked up, photographed, and by the time the cup was placed back on the worktop it was empty... in my defence, there's only maybe 60ml's in a double espresso... barely enough to wet your gums

m1xm0d3 wrote: »

No ride for me. Still on doctors orders trying to mend up after pulling lower back muscle on Wednesday. Getting old sucks... >_<

a) you're still nobbut a lad and b) back problems can happen at any age - get yourself right, and you'll be back...

narak_lol wrote: »

Here is my ride for Giro di Lombardia https://www.strava.com/activities/730426032

Did had a couple of coffee the problem is they were gone before I remember to take a pic

79.3km 227m elevation, booked in

cloggsy71 wrote: »

14/02/2016 - Trofeo-Laigueglia - 50.5km - 306m - https://www.strava.com/activities/493320711
27/02/2016 - Omloop Het Nieuwsblad - 74.0km - 1409m - https://www.strava.com/activities/503453486/
28/02/2016 - Kuurne-Brussels-Kurne - 35.1km - 438m - https://www.strava.com/activities/504497558
02/03/2016 - Le Samyn - DNR
05/03/2016 - Strade Bianche - 40.2km - 404m - https://www.strava.com/activities/509103646 - Unmetalled road piccies on Strava/Instagram
20/03/2016 - Milan San Remo - 41.7km - 262m - https://www.strava.com/activities/521798967 - No bonuses
23/03/2016 - Dwars door Vlaanderen - 21.1km - 128m - https://www.strava.com/activities/524752536
25/03/2016 - E3 Harelbeke - DNR
27/03/2016 - Gent Wevelgem - DNR
10/04/2016 - Paris Roubaix - 12.1km - 39m - https://www.strava.com/activities/541320903
13/04/2016 - De Brabantse Pijl - DNR
16/04/2016 - Amstel Gold - 30.3km - 376m - https://www.strava.com/activities/547001036
20/04/2016 - La Fleche Wallonne - DNR - Injured
24/04/2016 - Liège - Bastogne – Liège - DNR - Injured
30/07/2016 - Classica San Sabastian - 65.9km - 959m - https://www.strava.com/activities/658174284
28/09/2016 - Milano Torino - DNR - Bad reaction to caffine?!
02/10/2016 - Il Lombardia - 74.5km - 754m - https://www.strava.com/activities/732022885

Totals: 444.8km - 5075m

nicely done mate... 1pt climbing bonus as well

KitTheRoadie wrote: »

13/02/2016 - Trofeo-Laigueglia - 58.6km - 291m
https://www.strava.com/activities/492350991
27/02/2016 - Omloop Het Nieuswsblad - 25.2km - 42m https://www.strava.com/activities/503259452
19/03/2016 - Milan - San Remo - 19.7km - 82m - https://www.strava.com/activities/521156520
23/03/2016 - Dwars door Vlaanderen - 20.8km - 132m -https://www.strava.com/activities/524814214
25/03/2016 - E3 Harelbeke - 14.9km - 11m - https://www.strava.com/activities/526214534
27/03/2016 - Gent Wevelgem - DNS
10/04/2016 - Paris Roubaix - 14.6km - 11m - https://www.strava.com/activities/540854648
17/04/2016 - Amstel Gold - 115.7km - 1612m - https://www.strava.com/activities/548533172
20/04/2016 - La Flèche Walloone - 20km - 95m - https://www.strava.com/activities/551691693
23/04/2016 - Liège - Bastogne – Liège - 27.4km - 333m https://www.strava.com/activities/554563721
28/09/2016 Milan - Torino - 29.1km - 367m - https://www.strava.com/activities/727616658
01/10/2016 - Il Lombardia - 22.6km - 382m - https://www.strava.com/activities/730702663


Totals: 368.6km & 3358m

ruthbardell wrote: »

A slightly longer and boozier lunch than planned yesterday and 2 rowing sessions today mean it is a DNR for me

thanks for letting me know it was a DNR

BigG59 wrote: »

BigG59 wrote: »

Il Lombarda 138.2km 969m https://www.strava.com/activities/731857555

Definitely an autumn morning setting out before 7am, with knee warmers and full finger gloves for the first time since summer. Also needed my lights as it was still getting light. Chilly start gave way to a glorious morning.

Not sure the poached egg and baked beans on toast counts as "anything Italian".

Will post my espresso and leaves photos later (though espresso one is in my Strava photos). Too fast on way out and blew up big time on way back, had to "glass peddle" that last bit solo - I'm off for a rub down with a damp copy of cycling weekly.

Photos



Struggled with the leaves

2 points for the photo's and, as it's the last classic, and you were SOOOOO close @ 969M ascent, I'm going to award 2 points for the climbing as well...

jillyian wrote: »

Il Lombarda 14.3 km 66m https://www.strava.com/activities/732264167/shareable_images/map_based?hl=en-US&v=1475436486

Almost not even worth posting, unless there are such a small about of people riding today that I end up getting a point or less

every little helps...

TDSeest wrote: »

01/10/2016 - II Lombardia - 67.2km - 396m - https://www.strava.com/activities/731066759

Overall, I had hoped to do a 100 mile run. But, I've been dealing with a knee injury for the last 4 to 5 weeks. On this particular ride, I never felt bad in the knee, and it actually feels remarkably well today, about 24 hours after the ride. I never felt knee pain during the ride, but decided to shut it down when I was feeling what I would describe as some tightness in the ACL. Figured I didn't want re-injure it, and in retrospect, it was a wise decision. I was riding in Memphis TN in an organized ride, so I'm not that familiar with the area, so I don't believe I get any bonus points, But, overall, I enjoyed the day.

glad you enjoyed yourself Tom, and you did right to err on the side of safety with the knee.

numberonecynic wrote: »

No qualifying pics from me. https://www.strava.com/activities/732054706 36.4 miles and 1802ft of climbing ( Garmin says 2231ft)

Please declare rides in Km's and Metres in future - 58.5km and 549m. 1 bonus point.

and, as a favour to Jason, who's currently "away on a business trip" (but still managed to take his bike along!!)

@Jakess1971 - https://www.strava.com/activities/732458140, 59.9km 1125m ascent, and a bonus point for some fallen leaves at the side of the road on one or two of his strava linked photos... total 3 bonus points