The forecast called for showers, perhaps in the afternoon. The weather was not listening to the weatherman. The showers started early and did not relent, except for the few short kilometers of our opening climbs. Not so in Gaiole in Chianti.
The next few days in Gaiole in Chianti (c)foreca.com
I was joined by son-in-law Phillip, with whom I can easily geek-out on bicycle related topics, work, some sports and the delicious meals we had the night before or the ones we anticipate this evening. Sometimes, those happen together, but usually not. The great thing about riding with Phillip derives from his love of the sport and his attention to the details. It helps that he and I are closely matched, at least this year. He’s usually far faster and can stay in the saddle longer, but I’ve had a good bit of time on the Brooks Pro this year, so were about equal.
This was one of those days that cries out for rolling over and “fluffing the pillow” instead of crawling out, pulling on the kit and hitting the wet roads. My solace was looking at the weather in Gaiole in Chianti where it was expected to be in the mid-80’s and sunny. Can it last until we arrive? Will it last through L’Eroica? No way to know, but it’s fair to say that I have now ridden the gravel and the roads of my familiar training rides in the rain. If I must be covered in moist, limestone paste, I am ready.
The following is a little inspiration, mostly for me, but this is a well-done documentary which I’ve posted previously.
L’EROICA (english version) from Edouard Sepulchre on Vimeo.
L’Eroica is an old-style bike race without any fuss, crossing Chianti’s landscape and its famous white roads. I went there, done some interviews, did the race and there it is.
Photos : http://www.edouardsepulchre.com
L'Eroica Dreams 
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