DOPPIO ESPRESSO - SV does Como!

Ok, so I digress. On our second to last day in Milano I decided to brave the group ride! I left the holiday in early and headed to the meeting spot. On the way to the ride I rode up behind a rider in full Team LPR kit. I decided to try my best Italian and ask where I can find a 'groupetto'. As per usual I was met with helpfulness and hospitality! He introduced himself as Achille and kindly escorted me to where the group was meeting. He explained on the way that there was two races on the day so the group may be quite small. It was a slightly overcast morning and the riders met in front of a beautiful local church. See the boys and Achile in his LPR kit in the centre above (Trent - please note the white arm and leg wawrmers. . . ). We set off across Milan and had a great chat about the usual cycling topics (which wheels you feel are the best right now and our favourite riders). Achille was a huge Alessadro Petacchi fan (Another vote for the gentleman sprinter), and we settled on the Campagnolo Bora as the 'wheel of the moment'! As the ride went on I met more of the local riders who were amazingly hospitable and spoke excellent English - I was embarrassed at the poorness of my French and Italian!

The topography slowly started to roll, and suddenly we could see mountains on the horizon. Achille kindly explained that we would ride to Como today! Imagine my luck - I then told the boys that I was getting married on the Lake! I was lucky enough to have my trusty camera with me (see upcoming review) so I took a short video of riding with the boys in Milano! (Kids don't ride with no hands while filming other riders!).

Incredible riding as we snaked towards Como (city). Road quality was very, very good and we were given a great deal of space and respect by motorists. One thing that I found amazing was the sheer number of well presented serious cyclists,this was brilliant for the morale. Once we reached Como is was time to ride the climb where Paolo Bettini attacked during Lombardy! It was an excellent feeling just knowing you were pedaling along at a spot where cycling history had been made - I was also lucky enough to have a commentary on the climb from one of the local riders.


Overall an excellent 120k's with a few epic climbs, and very good company - if you are going to Italy and have time to get a ride in in Milano please contact me at rob_w_lamb@hotmail.com and I will put you in touch with the local guys who rode me around! Stay tuned for some snaps of milan tomorrow!