mike cap

First of all my apologies for posting this totally OT thread. If doing this makes you mentally erect I am sorry, but my only Porsche pals are here in 993 land....

So, for my road and MB friends cycling here....

Some of you know I was heading to Italy for a Trek Travel 'Performance Ride' from May 22nd through the 27th. I got back a few days ago and thought I'd post a note and a link to the photos.

First of all, if you ride road bikes, riding in Tuscanny is like going to cycling heaven. The climbs are tough, the downhills thrilling, the weather perfect, the roads are narrow but smooth as a pool table, the drivers courteous, the scenery breath-taking and the food and wine not to be believed.

Trek Travel put on an absolute 'Five Star' trip, with great guides, accomodations, bikes (New Madone CF 5.2's) and planning. There were twenty cyclist from the US, Canada, France, Saudi and Spain - man could some of these guys and gals ride! Some of the climbs were as long as 22 km (about 13 miles) of continuous climbing of probably 7 to 8 degrees. The engineering that went into these roads was perfect - they never vary in pitch from the top to the bottom. Gotta love those Italian road egineers.

It turned out to be nicest and friendliest group of people you could imagine and I made many new friends from the different countries. The only 'bad' part of the whole trip was saying goodbye to everyone. I think everyone would have preferred to have kept on riding. Reality sucks sometimes.

For any of you cyclists, I would give a major endorsement to Trek Travel if you have an interest in a Performance or Luxury cycling tour. They are a class act.

Photos follow. Scroll through them fast as a lot are just the faces of the other riders. Sea-side photos at the end are family south of Rome that I went to visit in Gaeta.

BTW, the handsome chap in the red jersey is yours truly.

http://community.webshots.com/album/357252012tQaGjw

aam993

Thanks for sharing, Mike! I am so envious! Did you visit some of the Giro de Italia stages?

rsl

Thanks for the photos -- Can't beat fine engineering -- Porsche 993s and Orbea Road Bikes with Campy RECORD components.

stedge

Someday I will do this. Someday SOON.

Chorus is not bad, either!! I am a fan of the custom titanium frame, obviously.

mike cap

Alex,

Thanks for the note. No I didn't see any of the Giro, but everyone was following it like the World Series. I think one of the reasons the Italians are SO courteous to cyclists is that they see it as their national sport.

HK G36C

nice pics, thank you...I wish we had that much sun here...

Arrwin

Mike,

Thanks for sharing bud! The landscape and riding conditions look perfect! Maybe one day....

Welcome back!

ibdavid

Mike, as all have said, thank you much for sharing! This is something I will do someday....when I stop spending money on the car, and start traveling more. The riding looks fantastic!! Thanks again!

Brett - 1996 C4

Wow, didn't know Tuscany had climbs like that. After watching the Giro, I'm not too psyched to hit the Dolomites (at least on a bike). The Stelvio pass looked like one badass road, especially the gravel section at the top. I see your point about the pitch, though. The climbs on the Giro looked pretty constant in grade.

Cool, you've got one of the new Descente jerseys! I've got the blue one.

Joe S.

Looks like an awsome time Mike! Thanks for sharing the pictures. Nice bike too!

Arrwin

Mike,

Do they provide the bikes or do you bring your own?

mike cap

Thanks guys. Trek has a California Wine Country 'Performance Ride' in October, which I am going to sign up for in a week or so.

Arrwin: Trek provided th Madone 5.2. Sweet road bike - very nice ride, especially if the road got rough at all. Same bike as my 2300 except for the CF center section. I brought all my measurements, pedals, Cateye, etc. Had the bike set-up and ready to ride in 20 minutes.

ibdavid

Mike, could you send me details on that ride, I just may join ya!

Monique

Was in Northern Italy last summer. Best food in the world. Belgium is #2. France #3.

Wines are not to bad... think Amarone

mike cap

David,

The link is: http://www.trektravel.com/Trips/05_S...y/Overview.php

It is the 'Specialty Performance' ride in October. It would be a blast to go with someone you know and a fellow Porsche owner.