what we have learnt from cycle training (in Italy)

Only 3 weeks to go and its getting colder in Italy. Soon the farmers will be harvesting the sunflowers, grapes and olives. The days are getting shorter and the mornings more magical as we continue to train for LEJOG. This was taken a few days ago

Our house is in the bottom right if you look closely (or use a magnifying glass)
The hills are just as brutal, we managed a climb to 1000m over a ridge this week on the way to Visso

There are beautiful churches to visit - as long as we nip inside before mass; bike has to be left outside!

We have had a great summer hard but lots of fun. Here are a few tips from our experience cycle training in Le Marche

Cycling tips

• Forget fashion; lycra shorts with a big pad between your legs is required for long rides (even though it feels/looks funny)
• You can go much quicker with a carbon bike and with electric gear changers 
• Better tyres and gel inside the inner tubes is the only way to go (Punctures are a pain and frequent with road bike tyres on bumpy roads in the countryside -unlucky one day with a porcupine quill through gatorskins - pre gel)
• It pays to invest in good kit and to be seen in the murky mornings/twilight rides/rain. A good bright top plus lights for the bike + light up your helmet with blue Neonight lights. Lorries pay more attention to blue lights. Check out www.neonight.com
• A hard saddle is a good saddle - it just needs to fit you right and your seat bones need to be prepped.
• Butt cream is required for managing sore bits on the longest rides (pre and post)
• Feet get wet very quickly when it rains despite mudguards - you need waterproof over shoes/ booties 
• Love or hate the beeping, a Garmin GPS helps guide the way (and measures everything) 
• Photochromic sunnies are essential for dull days to keep flies and dust out of your eyes and for downhill at speed
• There are some great recovery products around (For goodness shakes & Clif bars) 

Italy

• All the cyclists wear matching gear. They look good but over logo's. Very few women cycle here; we get lots of stares (mostly admiring Sarah's Italian bike and matching Bianchi kit!)
• "Salve" is shouted at you (it is a greeting not something to put on the bum); 
• There is very little to ride on that is flat (except ugly industrial areas)
• With 35-40 degrees C in the shade, the heat rash is painful  
• There are local fountains to fill up water bottles (useful when nothing is open between 1-5pm) key is to follow the locals with their empty plastic bottles
• Italian drivers are mad, reckless, dangerous and might just beep at you (friendly or not? -still not not sure) 
• When waving your fist at passing cars as they cut you up, expect some of them to stop and give you a mouthful of their best Italian! Luckily Sarah is now well practiced :)
• Expect a bouncy ride.. Here is a typical road surface

We will update this weekly until the LEJOG ride starts then daily thereafter with route details

All for now. Sarah & Jo.