La Gazzetta dello CycleItalia

News about "La Dolce Vita in Bicicletta" 

Volume 11                                                   www.cycleitalia.com                                                   Numero 6

Carissimi Amici,

This is the third full issue of the electronic La Gazzetta dello CycleItalia. We've crammed a lot into this issue as we'll soon be busy with producing our vacations in Italy. We hope you get inspired to join us this summer like our friends below, shown just outside of Orvieto last season. We still have a few places remaining for 2009 guided tours. 
Grazie!  Larry & Heather
 
Earthquake in Abruzzo!  By now we're sure you've heard about the terrible earthquake in Italy's Abruzzo region.  While we do not currently offer any tours there we've donated funds toward the rescue and recovery efforts, just as we did after the devastating quake in the Umbria and Marche regions years ago.  In the US, the National Italian-American Foundation is accepting donations with 100% of the funds promised towards the effort.  We urge you to join us in helping with this disaster, GRAZIE!
 
We're blogging!
Yes, we know, everybody and his fratello (brother) is blogging nowadays but our travel blog will be the place to visit to see how our tour season unfolds and view photos of our guests in action, whether they're on their bicycles, at the dinner table or elsewhere.  We have some non-travel posts up there now, check 'em out --  CycleItaliaTravelBlog
Win a TORELLI bicycle!
YOU could win a Torelli "Corsa Strada" bicycle equipped with Campagnolo Centaur carbon compact 10-speed group along with Torelli's Bormio wheels, handlebars, stem, seatpost, etc.  Our friends at SMP will provide a "Strike" saddle and Sci-Con will provide a seatpack as well.  Your bike (Larry's is in the photo) will be custom assembled to your personal specs in your choice of size and color.  How do you get a chance to win this great prize?  It's easy, just reserve your place on a CycleItalia 2009 or 2010 vacation no later than December 31, 2009.  We'll draw the lucky winning name in January 2010 from all reservations confirmed between April 15 and December 31, 2009.  More details will soon be posted on our website. 
MILLE GRAZIE to our Official Suppliers, Torelli, Campagnolo, SMP and Sci-Con.  Click on these links to for more information on Torelli's Corsa Strada, Campagnolo's Centaur 10-speed gruppo or SMP saddles and Sci-Con bags.
tomatoesRecipe:  Pasta with roasted tomatoes
Here's another in the "so easy bike mechanics like Lorenzo can make it" recipe series.  While amazingly easy, it's NOT quick as the tomatoes need to "roast" in your oven for an hour.  This will make the kitchen smell heavenly though!  Lorenzo tested this recipe with grocery-store quality ingredients and it was very tasty.  Imagine what it would be like with fresh herbs and tomatoes from your garden combined with high-quality olive oil!  Serves 6 as a primo, 4 as a main dish.  Enjoy with Nero d'Avola, Aglianico or a Sangiovese wine.
 
1 lb dry pasta (use Barilla or DeCecco spaghetti, fettucine, linguine, etc.)
2-3 lbs fresh tomatoes (roma, plum, etc.)
2-3 gloves garlic, minced
1/2 C extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 t red pepper flakes
1/2 T oregano, dry
1/2 T basil leaves, dry
2 T chopped fresh Italian parsley or basil
salt and pepper to taste
 
Preheat oven to 400, fill pasta pot with water and boil. Select a roasting pan large enough to hold the pasta when cooked.  Spray with non-stick spray.  Slice tomatoes in half lengthwise, lay cut side up in pan.  Mix oil, garlic and other spices together and pour/spoon over tomatoes.  Roast tomatoes in oven until soft and slightly browned.  This will take 45-60 minutes and you might want to do the last 10 or so using the broiler function on your oven.  Cook pasta al dente.  When tomatoes are cooked, remove from oven and mash 'em up (a potato masher works great!)  If tomato mixture is too watery, return to oven lowered to around 350 and cook down for 10 minutes or so, but don't let the sauce burn or scorch.  When tomato mixture looks "saucy" taste for salt and pepper, then add cooked pasta to pan.  Mix thoroughly, drizzle on a bit more oil, top with chopped parsley or basil and enjoy!
 
 
paolomiralagoFeatured Vacation: Umbria & Marche 
Each spring as we prepare our RideGuides for the upcoming season we remember the ride routes as we follow them with our highlighter.  While working on the first RideGuide for day one of our Umbria & Marche vacation, I thought about our friend Paolo (shown at right) and his ristorante overlooking Lake Bolsena.  Paolo, for reasons not entirely known, has taken a liking to us.  Each year we stop at Ristorante Miralago for lunch on our way to Orvieto.  Most times the weather is perfect for relaxing on his panoramic terrace with other Saturday-afternoon guests.  While we delight in antipasti and first plates, Paolo's cooking skill is at the fireplace where he's cooked fish from the lake as well as selected steaks and chops for us over the years.  We'll see him again in May, why don't you join us like the folks pictured at the top of the page?
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