Our meeting place for the start of the Coast & Castles ride was at the Hilton Gateshead. Iain & Mark set the tone for evening by heading straight to the bar like a pair of homing pigeons descending on a rattling corn tin. Viewing their freshly poured pints, lips salivating in anticipation until it came […]
ContinueHere Comes The Rain Again
🎵Fallin’ on my head like…… 🎵 An unwanted guest at a dinner party. The forecast for the day was a bit mixed but that didn’t stop nine Knights from taking their chances to meet up at Etton for the proposed ride to Millington. While waiting for the “appointed hour”, route master Raymond suggested a change […]
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“Weather forecast is showing rain for 1200” advised Matt “Can we meet at Etton with an earlier start time of 0900?” he added tentatively. Shortly after he must have had second thoughts. “Is 9 too early maybe 0930?” he asked. The replies poured in from those who could attend, “I’ll be there” was the general […]
ContinueThe Theory of Evolution
Freshly returned from his jaunt into foreign climes, our resident tuk-tuk rider outlined his theories on our outward route. “Everything is the same but different” he began in typical professor speak. What followed was a detailed synopsis of twists and turns that explained how to reach our destination. When the various knightly species had gathered […]
ContinueTour Di Tuscany Day 6
Day 6 was the final day of the Knights tour of Tuscany. The weather continued to be warm with light winds now from the west-north-west. Today’s route was a 42km circular with around 812m of climbing. Almost immediately after leaving Sienna the climbing began with a 1km ramp averaging 7%. Further lumpy bits ensued as […]
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Day 5 saw the Knights moving base camp from San Gimignano to Sienna some 40km to the south east. Passing back through Colle di Val d’Elsa then calling into Monteriggioni at the halfway point. The 2nd part of the day took in Il Ceppo and San Martino before arriving at Sienna. Another warm hilly day […]
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From the “new” base camp at San Gimignano the Knights set off for a slightly shorter 42km circular route. Initially heading south towards Castel San Gimignano where they were faced with the “highlight” of the day, a 14km climb over several Monte including La Bertesca, Colle Cavina, Poggio Porrione to the highest point on the […]
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20th June 2023 – Another hot and hilly ride today covering a distance of 60km with 1000m climbing. On this occasion the Knights headed west, first to Castellina in Chianti before a little jaunt north to Sicelle. Resuming the westward tour passing through San Donato in Poggio and Barberino Val d’Elsa followed by a short […]
ContinueTour Di Tuscany Day 2
19th June 2023 A slightly shorter 36km ride today, however with just over 1000m climbing it was another tough day in the saddle. The increasing humidity would also play a factor. From “base camp” in Radda in Chianti the crew followed a clockwise route through Massa Sabbioni and Cavriglia before returning along the Montevarchi.
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Day 1, 18-June 2023 Florence to Radda Today’s ride covered a distance of around 54km. Departing from Florence over the river Arno via the Ponte di San Niccolò. Weather was a pleasant 24°C but with a high humidity making it seem much hotter. The light wind from the south did nothing to keep the Knights […]
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