|
Fausto Coppi
"Fausto Coppi remains the most iconic cyclist in the history of the sport. For twenty years either side of the war his extravagant talent, allied to a unique charisma and human frailty, captivated sports fans across Europe. Moreover, he revolutionised the sport of bike racing itself, laying the foundations for the generations who would follow." says Rouleur in their promotional bit for Herbie Sykes' new book. We couldn't agree more and eagerly await our copy.
We'll share some memories of Il Campionissimo during our Primavera cycling vacation May 14-21, 2013. Join us as we visit the hometown of two of Milan-San Remo's most famous winners, Novi Ligure to see the enchanting Museum of Champions dedicated to the memory of Costante Girardengo (6 time victor in San Remo) and Fausto Coppi (3 time victor). We'll also visit Castellania, birthplace of the famous Coppi brothers as well as their final resting place. With some luck, Mayor Piero Coppi might greet us and share some memories (as in the photos below by Ann Petlin) before we enjoy pranzo at Il Grande Airone, named after the great champion. We'll then continue along the storied route of the great classic. Over the once forbidding Passo Turchino followed by the more recently added Manie climb, then over the famous Capi and on to the Cipressa and Poggio and finally to San Remo. Along the way we'll enjoy some of the best food and wine in both regions, Piemonte and Liguria, making this truly a pedala forte, mangia bene experience you'll never forget. Join us! |
|
CycleItalia Guided Tours 2013
Grande Ciclismo Series
May 14-21 La Primavera - trace the route and history of Milano-San Remo
May 20-27 La Corsa Rosa - see crucial stages of the Giro live
June 22-28 Grandi Alpi - Val d'Aosta, GS Bernardo, Cervinia and more
June 30-July 11 Salite Leggendarie - the Giro's legendary climbs
Classic Road Vacations
May 27-June 1 More Monferrato - Sublime fixed-base cycling in Piedmont
June 2-11 Vineyards to the Sea- Monferrato, Appennines, Cinque Terre
June 10-18 Best of Piedmont - Monferrato, Gavi, Langhe, Barolo
|
Barbera- Vino Piemontese
Since our HQ, Hotel Ariotto, is smack in the middle of Monferrato, we probably drink more of this local wine than any other each season. Most Americans are familiar with wines from Tuscany: Chianti, Sangiovese, Brunello, etc. but may not know much about the grape making up more than 50% of the DOC wine production in Piedmont. Since the barbera grape has no tannins to speak of, unless they're barrel-aged in oak to add them, it's a wine in a different category than the big, meaty reds most Americans are familiar with. The acidic and red fruit characteristics make it a natural match for food, especially the food of Piedmont. One of our favorites available easily in the USA is from Michele Chiarlo while Bricco Mondalino, especially their "Zero Legno" is one we enjoy often in Italy. We stay just down the road from Chiarlo's cantina during our Vineyards to the Sea tour while Bricco Mondalino is just a few kilometers away from Hotel Ariotto and on one of our More Monferrato ride routes. These wines illustrate our desire to enjoy a wine from a vineyard you can see from the window of the ristorante!
|
Featured Tour Update:
Lodgings are confirmed and only 5 places remain on this special tour, so don't miss out!
La Corsa Rosa
We've always loved the Giro, in fact it's in some ways why we met! We've gone to see stages of the race almost every year we've had the chance. For 2013 we decided to share the experience with a small number of you. See the "world's toughest race in the world's most beautiful place" in CycleItalia's inimitable style.
Join us, close to the action as Vincenzo Nibali battles Bradley Wiggins for the Maglia Rosa.
May 20 - Overnight flight to Milan's Malpensa airport
May 21 - Arrive at our northern Italian HQ in the Monferrato wine region. Assemble and fine-tune your bike (or be fitted for one of ours) then take a warmup ride through the vineyards that produce the local Barbera wines. Catch the day's Giro stage on live TV before we toast the start of the tour, followed by a dinner of Piemontese specialties in the Ristorante della Villa.
May 22 - Morning van transfer to Vicenza, home of CAMPAGNOLO and the finish of stage 17. Check into our lodging just steps away from the finish line and enjoy the festivities before the gruppo races into town, remembering 30 years ago when the famous founder Tullio Campagnolo passed away. If the famous component maker (and official supplier to CycleItalia) has special plans, we'll be there. Open night for dinner in the lively town.
Click HERE for the rest of the itinerary.
|
SPRING CLASSICS
This book's been in the CycleItalia library since it was released a few years ago. It was pulled off the shelf yet again during research for our new La Primavera itinerary, the pages decorated with sticky-notes and parts of the prose copied into our RideGuides. This was a chance also to read the entire book again and marvel at the great photographs (including this one of Bernard Hinault at L-B-L) a few of which were kindly loaned to us by the publisher VeloPress for our website. Most cycling fans know plenty about the Grand Tours and other, shorter stage races and perhaps a bit about Paris-Roubaix, but the other one-day classic races deserve a book all their own and this is by far the best we've seen. A great addition to your coffee table collection or for the cyclist on your holiday gift list!
|
|
CycleItalia's environmental philosophy
We're extremely fortunate to be able to make a living doing what we love. But doing so requires some round-trip flights to and from Italy each season. We offset the carbon effects of our travel as well as the fuel consumed in our support van by donations to Native Energy. You can offset the effects your own flights as well by visiting their website. Thanks!
|
Recipe:
Zuppa di Pesce
This is a fragrant and hearty soup especially for those who like garlic and fennel. You can use any type of white fish, but make sure it is free of skin and bones. Rub toasted slices of day-old bread with a garlic clove and serve as croutons.
500g (1 lb) boneless skinless fish fillets
4-6 medium potatoes, peeled, and sliced ¼" thick
1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
4-6 cloves of garlic, crushed
1-2 stalks of celery, sliced
The stalks and fronds of a fennel plant, chopped
2-3 bay leaves
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1 T grated orange rind (optional)
1 packet saffron (optional)
extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
Set a kettle or large saucepan full of water to boil.
Place the fish fillets in the bottom of a large soup pot, cover with the sliced potatoes, onion, garlic, celery, fennel, bay leaves and parsley. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and the grated orange rind. Pour on enough boiling water to cover the solid ingredients.
Bring the mixture back to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, and cook for about half an hour, stirring occasionally to break up the fish fillets and potatoes. Once the potatoes are tender, add the saffron, stir, then taste and adjust for seasoning.
Serve hot with toasted garlic croutons and fresh bread. Enjoy with a crisp white wine like a Sicilian Grillo or Falanghina from Campania
|
|
No connection to or endorsement by Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport is expressed or implied. All rights reserved CycleItalia LLC
|
