Non Starter
The world’s second-largest bike race, the Giro d’Italia, is is an annual stage race bicycle race primarily held in Italy, while also occasionally passing through nearby countries.
The Grande Partenza or ‘Big Start’ of the Giro d’Italia began yesterday in Belfast. It will continue today and cover some 219 km of our most beautiful country side. The route from Belfast will be inland to the Giant’s Causeway and from there it will follow the coast line all the way back to Belfast.
Giro route Day 2
The whole of the Province has turned Pink. Belfast City Hall was glowing in Pink last night. There is bunting (the nice kind) everywhere and our local optician, not on the route, has a pink bicycle frame in the window!
Stage 3 tomorrow begins in Armagh, with stops in Richhill & Newtownhamilton before crossing the now non existent border and on to Dublin. 187kms.
Day 3 Armagh to Dublin
Boy am I glad not to be in the saddle, I might end up like this……
Not on course or in the Pink
And not on course or in the Pink! 😉
And if one of the cyclists goes down, several more go with him, because they cycle so close together. As we saw when Dan Martin fell and broke his collarbone.
That was very tough for Dan to be injured and knocked out of the race at the start of the team time trial in Belfast.
That sure is an old, decrepit bike!
A group of young lads in the park, said it belonged to them and agreed to me taking photos. I imagine that bike is better than none.
We’re heading out for a bike ride right now . . . but only 3-4 miles. That’s enough time in the saddle for me.
I’m happier with my two feet on the ground. Do you use one of those ‘jelly’ saddles?
Nope. My bike seat is more of the “peach pit” variety. Hard as a rock.
I do not cycle, but a friend who does, recommended it for more comfort.
Thanks for the thought, GM.
When I ride 3-4 miles, I’m fine. If I decided to do more long distance riding, I would get a different seat/bike/handlebars.
Fascinating,but I wonder why it’s called Italian?
It is an Italian race, that, as I said at the top, sometimes visits other countries. This year, Ireland had that pleasure.
Yes, without peeking back at your post, I remember you said that. I kept looking at the map of Ireland, which I know not and trying to fit it into the map of Italy, which I know much better. I wondered why it looked so strange. I blame the bike, it got me distracted. Call me Lady Gaga.
I thought if I added a map of Italy it would distract.
Wonderful countryside to be biking through. I wonder how often the participants get to look up and see where they are.
Not very often, I would imagine.
Are there women in the race, GM, or is it just men? Curious.
XO
WWW
PS, I think I came home to a phone message from you last night, though the whole first part was cut off, I caught “Antrim” and “Dublin” and racked my brains and then “bingo” (I think – 🙂 )
We will connect soon. I hope.
XO
WWW
Someone asked that question during the week. The women have their own race, not sure if it covers all of Italy or moves outside the country.
The phone call was from me. Days will be busy next week, so will call you after 19th.
The locality where I live in shuts down its arterial roads every Sunday morning for cyclists and it is fun to watch participants really having a grand time every Sunday morning. Little children on tricycles to people older than even I am participate and I wish that I could but for reasons known to you, I can’t. I satisfy myself with trysts with my exercycle!
That sounds like a very healthy idea!
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Cycling-and-more-in-store-at-Raahein-carnival-this-Sunday/articleshow/31632232.cms
Interesting!