Nove Colli 2008

Held every year in May the Nove Colli, or ‘nine cols’ is one of the best established of the Italian Gran Fondo’s. It starts and finishes in Cesnatico, birthplace of Marco Pantani, and takes in many of his favourite training hills.

I travelled with fellow Norton Wheeler Simon, from Gatwick with BA to Bologna. From there we had an easy transfer to our base at the Belvedere Bike Hotel at Riccione. Marina and her team at Belvedere know exactly how to make you feel welcome and specialise in cycling holidays. Secure bike storage, free overnight laundry, ride food and energy drink, guides, three meals a day – everythings included. They have also been organising trips to the Nove Colli for many years and it was like a well oiled machine. We were up at 3am for breakfast and then onto the bus for the 90 minute journey to Cesnatico. There the tension was building as 11000 riders got ready for the 06:15 start as the press helicopter circled overhead. The only thing that didn’t go to plan was the weather. Grey and overcast, with heavy rain forecast. But it didn’t dampen spirits as there was plenty of laughing and joking amongst the well organised Italian teams with their heavily sponsored jerseys.

After the predicted fast start to get near the front things settled down before the first of the climbs. Simon and I were doing the full 210km with 3800 meteres of ascent and it was clear why the majority of the field elected for the shorter 130km route. The climbs were steep and long with the hardest being the infamous Barbotto with sections of over 20% and the 10km Monte Pugliano which we climbed in torrential rain.

Anyway we rode hard and were pleased to both sneak under our 8 hour target, putting us in the top third of finishers on the longer route. The cold beer and late lunch back at the Belvedere were very welcome. We finished off our trip with a recovery ride round San Marino the next day and then a trip to Pessaro to see the start of the Giro individual time trial to Urbino. Got to see the UK boys in action, soaked up a bit of race atmosphere and had a few more beers!

Great trip. Pity about the weather but can’t fault the Belvedere or the race which is a true Italian experience. Ciao!

An early start

We did it