The Passionate Italian Weekend

Aprile 2018

Ciao a Tutti,

It has been a long time that I have not written something about Cycling Experiences to share with all our followers.

AYRTON SENNA MEMORIAL

AYRTON SENNA MEMORIAL

I will try not to bore you too much.

Few weekends ago a group of 16 from the SaddleDrunk Cycling Friends Club ( join us on Strava via this link ) went for a long weekend in Faenza, Emilia Romagna, Italy, Europe, Planet Earth.

They flew out early friday morning from the beautiful London to Bologna, capital of the some of the best Italian food…Like Bolognese Sauce the way it is called outside Italy,  Ragu another good one, Cappelletti, Tortellini, Ravioli , Tortelli, la “ “Mortazza” (Mortadella) & much more…not to mention that Bologna host the oldest university in Europe….

Agriturismo La Sabbiona

Agriturismo La Sabbiona

SD staff & I pick them up from the airport and whisked them away to Imola to have an amazing lunch inside the tragically famous Formula 1 race track  where 2 pilots lost their lifes long time ago…RIP Ratzenberg & Senna where we visited their memorials. Really a big touch feeling for me as I saw it with my eyes that tremendous weekend…

OK!!..let’s get a grip and bang on Cycling…We got to the lovely Agriturismo La Sabbiona, after check & prepared out bikes we headed out to the lovely Brisighella a Medieval town.

Local Delicacies

Local Delicacies

After our lovely ride in the hills to get new fresh oxygen in our lungs, plenty of fun during the ride including a lovely crash in the first downhill.

We refreshed ourselves & headed out to Town for a meal in a traditional Osteria.

Osteria la Sghisa as usual made us feeling at home with their friendly staff and the astonishing food where we partied until late to celebrate Laura's Birthday.

Laura's Gluten Free cake

Laura's Gluten Free cake

The Saturday, we woke up gently by the sounds of the "Galletto" in the farm.Followed up by an Italian & Intercontinental breakfast fuelling up for our day on the bike. 

We spent all day on a bike touring around the hills and preparing for the Granfondo Le Cime Di Romagna 2018 the following day organised by the Gruppo Sportivo Ciclistico Avis Faenza.

Local Art

Local Art

In the evening we had another amazing meal at Casa Spadoni where everyone was able to enjoy more culinary delicacies from the area of Emilia Romagna

Italian Style Aperitif Time

Italian Style Aperitif Time

A team photo at the feed station!!

A team photo at the feed station!!

The Sunday morning we had an early wake due to the 7:30 start of the event.The 3 various distances were perfect for the different group abilities. The distance covered were Corto, Medio & Lungo

Everyone had great fun,and we all enjoyed the “LOCAL’s” attentions, the friendly event’s staff,the well organised event and routes and the well stocked feed stations.

We were awarded 2 trophies due to be the furthest team. The trophies were a really long & thick      “ SALAMI “ and a big ceramic vase from one of the local ceramist in Faenza.

Faenza is very well known in the world thanks to be the home of Ceramics.

Prize Ceremony to be the farthest travelled Team.

Prize Ceremony to be the farthest travelled Team.

The last day of our trip was a realxing day where we had a really slow where we enjoyed our breakfast.

Our local host Serena owner of La Sabbiona, prepared our class room with flour,eggs, rolling pins, chef’s hat & all other items needed to complete the cooking course.

At the end of the course all the “students” were able to eat the food made during the class & well earned after sweating.

As the weekend was more than amazing, we will make this an annual event for the club.Therefore if you like to be part of just join us at ride@saddledrunk.com

I hope you enjoyed the reading and remember to be safe on the road.

Ciao

SD 

Setting new best FTP's while making Pasta.

Setting new best FTP's while making Pasta.

SADDLEDRUNK & BOURNEMOUTH AFC Collaboration

Hello Cyclists.

I believe many of you will be out and about this weekend getting "Intoxicated with the Freedom of Cycling".

SaddleDrunker Stuart Carpenter will talk of the recent SaddleDrunk & AFC Bournemouth collaboration.

Stuart,Matt,Stef.

Stuart,Matt,Stef.

The idea came to me whilst out cycling.  The idea to bring SaddleDrunk , Matt Ritchie and AFC Bournemouth together to create a STYLISH, BESPOKE  brand of cycle clothing and accessories. THE PHILOSOPHIES OF SD, TO PROVIDE TOP QUALIITY CYCLE CLOTHING, TO ENHANCE PEOPLE'S CONFIDENCE IN WHAT THEY ARE WEARING AT A PRICE THEY CAN AFFORD WITHOUT COMPROMISING OUR BELIEFS OF HOW THINGS SHOULD LOOK AND FEEL.

Through a mutual friend, Darryl Flahavan I have got to know Matt well and we both share a love for cycling.

Through my involvement with Stef at SaddleDrunk I put the idea to him about making Matt an official ambassador of SaddleDrunk.

A few weeks later we have Matt on board and the AFC Bournemouth Club shop wanting to promote and sell the clothing. 

MATTS OWN PROFESSIONALISM, ATTENTION TO DETAIL AND STLYE FITS THE PHILOSOPHIES OF US HERE AT SD. TOGETHER WITH MATT WE HOPE TO CREATE A RANGE OF CLOTHING THAT WILL APPEAL TO ALL AFC BOURNEMOUTH CYCLE FANS. WE HOPE TO BRING THESE TWO SPORTS TOGETHER, CREATE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL, STYLISH AND TOTALLY UNIQUE.

Matt wearing kit number 

Matt wearing kit number 

Thank you very much Stuart for sharing your time with us.

The AFC Bournemouth SaddleDrunk Kit will be available at the stadium club shop & online store on Easter Monday before the home game against Birmingham FC.

Happy Easter from the SD team.

BE SAFE ON THE ROAD