Cicloposse cycling tour

Maremma bike tour

2011-01-22T23:34:00.000-08:00

Maremma is the stretch of land deep south of Tuscany, is a wild region alternating sea and pine forest , sunny plains and hills covered by every shade of green. Rich in history is definitely worth exploring by bike. No lack of beautiful scenic back roads through unspoiled countryside, healthy spas and taste delights of simple and authentic food. Our itinerary start in Pienza, our base and bring you to San Casciano Bagni a very old spring spa.
Then the heart of maremma: Sorano, Sovana, Pitigliano, all medieval hamlet, etruscan origin. Sorano will impresse you because built on a sheer rock-cut terrace with dark tufa. Another special place to stop will be Saturnia and enjoy the hot water falls cascades over whitened rocks creating natural pools.
Not to be missed Scansano, the wine area producing Morellino another sangiovese Tuscan wine very appreciate in the all world. You will be proud to arrive at the end at Talamone village on the promontory overlooking the sea. Can you imagine the last ride is 45 km molsty downhill?
If interested look the detailed itinerary at http://www.cicloposse.com/dettaglio.php?id=36

Cicloposse provide the cycling tour in maremma, Tuscany in guided and self guided version

the glacier Perito moreno

2011-01-21T04:54:00.000-08:00

Trip to argentina: after Bariloche we went south, to El Calafate, on the way to Terra del fuego. Hundreds of mountain and trekking lovers, but also many people were there to wisit the Glacier Perito Moreno.
Is a little bit “touristy” but is still a natural spectacular amazing show...and be in front of 60 meters tall ice is exciting.
We also did the minitrekking on ice: we walked with crampons on the Glacier. It was sporty, interesting, and fun!
The countryside: great outdoors, wide horizons… at the end the impressions are all positive.
Giuliana Mulas

Patagonia, Bariloche

2010-12-05T04:49:00.000-08:00

Here we are in Patagonia, after a long time I was able to visit this part of world always fascinating for me. Bariloche is nice place with so beautiful lakes around and if you like chocolate you enjoy better! Around bariloche nature is powerfull but friendly and by bike we appreciate the quiet and beauty of spots and all flowers. we rode the area: circuito Chico, Cerro Cathedral, Lake Gutierrez, Cerro Otto with a local rider and guide Pablo. -Very interesting is the area of seven lakes – is possible arrange to vist all the are in a week in a bike tour ending in san Martin de los Andes… I want to do this tour next year in january or february when is summer there. Will be on cicloposse web site soon! http://www.cicloposse.com/
Marco Tornaghi

The Italian Mont Ventoux is in southern Tuscany!

2010-05-02T06:20:00.000-07:00

Here in southern Tuscany we have Monte Amiata , 1800 meters altitude. Marco call the Italian Mont Ventoux because there are many similar characteristic. First of all a mountain surrounded by shorter hills, tuscan hill here around: Montepulciano, Pienza, Radicofani, Montalcino ( Ventoux is a mountain surrounded by Provence shorter hills)
Tuscany and Provence, both a beautiful area to visit, that really worth the visit for scenry, food and wine, history.
The other big likeness is the long and not very steep climb, and both top have 3 roads to climb the top.
But we regret our Monte Amiata is not so famous for cycling! Maybe we need giro d’Italia come here soon. This is a big ride for the local race bikers.
cicloposse propose the bike ride : from Pienza to the top – Vetta Amiata – is 47 km distance

Start with a nice downhill with breathtaking view of Val d’orcia , then about 20 km very gentle rolling hills, almost flat. At km 21 start the climb, at beginning very gentle, then steeper
The uphill is 26 km long. see the elevation gain! we wait for you.

Giuliana Mulas

new race bike

2010-04-24T08:40:00.001-07:00

We have just ready the new race bike.
carbon fiber frame. forks, seat post, handle bar all in carbon. Equipped with Shiamno Ultegra compact gear. that means the front gear is only 2 rings BUT is 50/34. in the back is 12/27. SO we think is enough to face the hills of Tuscany.
We are in Italy and many clients ask: why you do not use Campagnolo bike components (Campy gear!). we like Campy, but as we are in the Bike tour business since 1995, we experienced Campy is delicate. SO is perfect for own bike but Shimano is stronger when a bike is used from different hands. less mechanic problems and Ultegra is great. (is very near to the top of top Durace). of course this is only our opinion!!

Strade Bianche race in Tuscany

2010-02-28T08:51:00.000-08:00

On next 6 march there will be a race in Tuscany!!
Is the Montepachi Strade Bianche – strade bianche means “white roads” and Montepaschi is the sponsor, is a professional one day race.
Roots of this race is a course and event begun by amateur cyclists at the "L'Eroica".
The race came about due to Italy wanting to establish a new one day classic on the professional calendar to rival the traditional Spring classics. To accomplish this the race offers the white gravel and shale roads of Tuscany rather than the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix.
The course will be 190 km in length starting in Gaiole in Chianti and finishing in the Piazza del Campo in Siena. The route will have 8 sections of white roads for the total of 57 km (35 miles) of the 190 km (119 miles) total distance. The itinerary of race pass through best scenery of Tuscany, same beautiful landscape you discover taking a tour in Tuscany with Cicloposse.
Up and down terrain, no long climb, but some steep short uphill. The gravel road is well done, beaten earth.
The departure is the little village in heart of chianti: Gaiole. The first 35 km to Siena and few km on Cassia in on paved road, not difficult…to warm muscle! Then face the first part of white road to Radi and Murlo. Is the area so called Crete Senesi, is challenging ride. After a short part on paved is again gravel road in the wood, mostly downhill to reach Buonconvento.
Across this village and face the long uphill to Montalcino, the Brunello wine town. This is the most challenging part beacuase the longer uphill, but all paved. From the top a nice downhill to Torrenieri, small village – from there start the quiet and scenery road called ex-cassia – the racers will take it and then take a nice gravel road to Cosona and the little old tuscan Borgo Lucignano d’asso. There are many curves, challenging up and down – especially the part to Pieve a salti. At last again in Buonconvento where the racer will ride in easier Cassia road towards Siena. In Monteroni d’Arbia they turn to Asciano – mostly uphill but aphalt road. In Asciano they have already rode 134 km! now they face off road 11 km long, the borgo they pass is Monte Sante Marie – this road have very steep up and down. They reach again Chianti classico once arrive in Castelnuovo Berardenga. Now they ride to Siena part on paved and part unpaved.

Winning post is the central square shell shaped of Siena – famous piazza where twice a year there is the Palio di Siena horse ride.

last year the winners was Thomas Lovquist.
Invited teams to this year's race, and team captain(s):
ACQUA & SAPONE-MOKAMBO (Ita): Garzelli, Paolini, AG2R LA MONDIALE (Fra): EfimkinANDRONI-DIQUIGIOVANNI (Ita): Ginanni; ASTANA (Kaz): Vinokourov; BMC (Usa): Evans, Ballan ; CERVELO TEST TEAM (Svi): Hammond; GARMIN-TRANSITION (Usa): HesjedalISD-NERI (Ita): Visconti; LAMPRE-FARNESE VINI (Ita): Bernucci, GavazziLIQUIGAS-DOIMO (Ita): Pellizotti; OMEGA PHARMA-LOTTO (Bel): Peraud; SKY PROFESSIONAL CT (GB): Lofkvist; TEAM HTC-COLUMBIA (Usa): Cavendish, Pinotti; TEAM KATUSHA (Rus): Pozzato, Kirchen ; TEAM SAXO BANK (Dan): Cancellara
The Eroica for for amateurs, will be held on 3rd October 2010. http://www.eroica-ciclismo.it/
Cicloposse is organizing a tour – 6 days and last day will be join Eorica ride!! Inquiry at info@cicloposse.com
I and Marco will go to take some pictures and meet some champions

Giuliana Mulas

Back from Africa: Bamako’ to Dakar

2010-02-27T00:07:00.001-08:00

To ride is always a good experience but when you ride across a part of Africa between Mali and Senegal you already know before doing that will be a particular experience.
This is what happen to me but reality exceeded my expectations.
Now once that I’m back the best memories are about spots and villages crossed and the people met on the road from Bamako’ to Dakar.
Good vibrations even with my traveling fellows everyone sharing the passion for the bicycle and To give a little help to the projects working there.
I was ready about all that happened but something above all impressed me about the Malians riders that rode with us for 7 days.
To describe their bicycles “old” is not adequate but their passion and will charged me and my friends more than any kind of energy bars.
This motivated me to promise them to bring 6 new bicycles shoes and pedals to ride the next edition in February 2011. and I am engaged to do that!
I know that it doesn’t change the world but I’m sure that will get 6 riders happy.
Ciao, Marco Tornaghi

tour silenzioso: Bamako - Dakar

2010-02-21T09:42:00.000-08:00

Sono arrivati oggi a Dakar i 22 ciclisti italiani Uisp insieme a 10 ciclisti maliani e senegalesi,
erano partiti il 13 febbraio da Bamako, capitale del Mali, parilamo de: Il silenzioso tour della solidarietà”. Si tratta della prima edizione di “Bamako-Dakar”, l’iniziativa di sport sociale e solidarietà internazionale è organizzata dall’Uisp-Unione Italiana Sport Per tutti, in collaborazione con il Comitato “Bici d’Italia in Africa” di Siena e il sostegno della Fondazione Monte dei Paschi di Siena.

“Un tragitto di sport e solidarietà – ha detto Filippo Fossati, presidente nazionale Uisp - lontano dal fragore e dall’invadenza dello sport spettacolo, per diffondere valori solidali e sostenere progetti di cooperazione internazionale in Africa, nel pieno rispetto dell’ambiente circostante e delle comunità locali. Un modo per mischiarci tra gli abitanti del posto usando un loro mezzo, la bicicletta. Per essere credibile e riconoscibile lo sport per tutti si fa messaggero di cooperazione concreta e solidarietà, in silenzio. Senza il rumore dei motori, né quello dello star system”.“In passato ho già legato il mio nome ad altre importanti realtà del ciclismo amatoriale italiano, come il Parco Ciclistico del Chianti e la manifestazione annuale dell’Eroica. Partecipo quindi con entusiasmo anche al Bamako-Dakar dell’Uisp – ha detto Luigi Agnolin, ex arbitro internazionale di calcio – Questa iniziativa, grazie all’uso della bicicletta, mezzo attivo e strumento di partecipazione e ascolto di usanze e abitudini di altri popoli, è un’opportunità per misurarsi e confrontarsi non solo con le difficoltà dello stare in sella, ma con quelle ben più serie che le popolazioni locali vivono quotidianamente. Un’esperienza che ci arricchirà più di quanto potremo fare
“Con questa edizione del tour – ha spiegato Carlo Balestri, responsabile Dipartimento internazionale Uisp – torneremo nei luoghi visitati lo scorso anno nell’edizione zero portando sostegno di carattere materiale ai progetti delle Ong internazionali presenti in Mali e in Senegal. In particolare, i volontari di alcune leghe Uisp e di Peace games, Ong dell’Uisp, si inseriranno in un progetto di cooperazione avviato dal Cospe a Foundiougne, un villaggio di pescatori a sud di Dakar, dando avvio a corsi di nuoto destinati ai giovani pescatori in loco al fine di evitare le continue morti per annegamento, troppo frequenti in una comunità in cui il 90% degli uomini che va in mare, non sa nuotare”.
Le tappe del silenzioso tour, per complessivi 700 km erano sei, due in Mali e quattro in Senegal: Bamako – Kolokani (100 km),
Kayes – Frontiera – Goudiri (90 km),
Kaffrine – Fatick (120 km),
Fatick – Yenne (100 km),
Mbour – Joal – Mbour (100 km),
Mbour – Dakar (120 km).
A Foundiougne, dove è attivo un progetto dell’Ong italiana Cospe, il tour si fermerà due giorni e operatori Uisp inizieranno a collaborare con attività di formazione che avranno poi continuità nei prossimi mesi quando verrà avviata la costruzione di un campo da gioco (playground) nella scuola di Foundiougne.

Marco Tornaghi, mio socio e marito, ha fatto parte della “carovana”, arriverà a casa martedì e spero possa scriver un articolo e condividere le foto di questa esperienza