Lloyd's Italian Alps cycling adventure

Coffee links

Cafés

• Workshop Coffee, Clerkenwell

 Roasters

• Has Bean
• Hands on
• Square Mile
• Extract
• Coffee Workshop

Blogs & other info

• The Shot
• Illy Cappuccino
• David L - 10 things
• Caferesearch

val thorens ski test

Day of baking

George came home last night for reading week (until Wednesday). It's great having her home and hearing about her time at Uni.

Spent the day baking and collecting kindling wood for the fire. Made - loaf of pot bread (lovely ham sandwiches for lunch), Christmas cake, christmas mincemeat, apple tart (Michel Roux recipe - too much salt), two banana loafs and a cottage pie for dinner. The bottle of Armagnac we bought yesterday is looking a bit sad. Also went down to butchers and got 5kg stewing steak, some kidneys, brace of pheasants and some ham.

Watched Men in Black in front of the fire - cosy!

Vintage bike restoration

Here are places/people I have found that perform vintatge bike restoration/painting

Italy

• Bini Andrea - via Carra Carlo, 15, Corte Tegge, reggio emilia - +39 0522 943 035
• Gabriele Bocchi - Via Froni 1, 43123 PARMA, +39 329 0913804 lelebocchi@alice.it
  
• BDC Forum links

Vintage Cycling Events

Cycling Events - UK

Date	__Event_Name__	__Event_Location__	Info
09/04/2011	London Tweed Run	London, Greater London, England, United Kingdom
17/04/2011	Bristol Vintage Velo ride	Bristol, Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom
24/04/2011	Pendle Witches Vintage Velo	Rawtenstall, England, United Kingdom
31/07/2011	Veteran Cycle Club Annual Classic Ride	Peterborough, Northamptonshire, England, United Kingdom
13/08/2011	Long Sutton & District Veteran Cycle Club Weekend Rally	Tydd St Mary, Lincolnshire, England, United Kingdom	Long Sutton & District Veteran Cycle Club (Lincolnshire)
04/09/2011	NAVCC National Rally	Ratby, England, United Kingdom	This year hosted by Desford Lane Pedallers VCC
18/09/2011	March VVCC Annual Rally	March, Cambridgeshire, England, United Kingdom
18/09/2011	Brooklands Cycle Festival & Jumble	Weybridge, Surrey, England, United Kingdom	Celebrating pedal power through the ages at Brooklands. Start 10am - Jumble, vintage lightweight ride and competition for best lightweights from England and Italy. Contact Gary Higgitt Mobile - 07768007711 or email garyhiggitt(at)hotmail.co.uk Brooklands Museum, Brooklands Road, Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0QN
01/10/2011	Retro-Racing Revival In Redbridge	Hainault, Ilford, Essex, England, United Kingdom	Redbridge Cycle Centre (a.k.a. Hog Hill Circuit), Forest Road, Hainault, Ilford, IG6 3HP. 12.30 - 4.30pm An afternoon of friendly racing on pre-1975 machines plus the Grand Old Ordinary One-Mile Championship. For directions see Redbridge Cycle Centre: www.vision-rcl.org.uk/redbridge_cycle_centre.html, for any other details, please contact Patrick Trench on 020 85291263 or patrick_trench(at)hotmail.com
01/04/2012	Kernow (Cornwall) Ride It Festival - Vintage Bike Event	Cornwall, England, United Kingdom	Date to be decided

 Cycling Events - Europe

 Cycling Events - Europe

Date	Event Name	Location	Info
29/01/2011	Auto e Moto Del Passato	Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy	Mostra mercato dei ricambi d'auto e moto d'epoca
18/02/2011	Mostra Scambio	Novegro, Milano, Lombardy, Italy	MOSTRA SCAMBIO DI AUTO, MOTO, CICLI, RICAMBI ED ACCESSORI D’EPOCA. C/O PARCO ESPOSIZIONI DI NOVEGRO ORGANIZZAZIONE: COMIS LOMBARDIA
25/03/2011	Mostra Scambio	Reggio Nell'Emilia, Emilia-Romagna, Italy	MOSTRA SCAMBIO, C/O ENTE FIERE, ORGANIZZAZIONE: C.A.M.E.R. REGGIO EMILIA
16/04/2011	Mostra Scambio	Vicenza, Veneto, Italy	Vicenza’s mostra scambio at the Fiera exhibition halls is not the largest in Italy, but it does provide a broad spectrum of predominantly Italian based car and motorcycle parts, both new and used.
25/04/2011	Ferrara Grande Mercato Di Primavera	Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy	5th edition of the Big Spring Market in Ferrara. More than 230 Italian and foreign exhibitors, thousands of fans. Area dedicated to bicycles and vintage farm machinery. The market will take place both inside and outside the Ferrara fairgrounds.
21/05/2011	2nd Legnano Rally	Legnago, Veneto, Italy	Via Buozzi, Borgo Sant'Ambrogio
19/06/2011	Anjou Velo Vintage	Saumur, Maine-et-Loire, Pays-de-la-Loire, France
27/08/2011	L'Historique 2011	Marmande, Lot-et-Garonne, Aquitaine, France
03/09/2011	Mostra Scambio	San Giovanni in Persiceto, Emilia-Romagna, Italy	MOSTRA SCAMBIO AUTO, MOTO, CICLI D’EPOCA ORGANIZZAZIONE: MOTO CLUB U.P. PERSICETANA
09/09/2011	Mostra Scambio	Imola, Emilia-Romagna, Italy	MOSTRA SCAMBIO AUTO, MOTO, BICI C/O AUTODROMO ENZO E DINO FERRARI DI IMOLA ORGANIZZAZIONE: C.R.A.
02/10/2011	L'Eroica	Gaiole in Chianti, Toscana, Italy	Registration Jan 2011
12/11/2011	Auto, Moto & Bici D'Epoca	Morciano di Romagna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy	A new event dedicated to the 'mechanical' collectibles, divided into cars, motorcycles and vintage bikes. Morciano A Fairs are scheduled two dates: 12/13 November 2011 and 4 / 5 February 2012. The 2 days will be dedicated to the exchange of car shows, motorcycle, bicycle, collectibles, books and magazines, spare parts and accessories, modeling, clothing and thematic exhibitions.
18/11/2011	Mostra Scambio	Segrate, Lombardy, Italy	La MOSTRA-SCAMBIO di auto, moto, ciclo, ricambi e accessori d'epoca rappresenta con la sua vivacità e il calore della sua spontaneità di grande mercato di accessori originali, pezzi di ricambio, auto e moto da restaurare, accessoristica perfettamente riprodotta in serie, manualistica e pubblicazioni d'epoca, editoria specializzata, l'evoluzione delle esperienze sopra richiamate, in quanto avvicina il pubblico non solo all'ammirazione di esemplari conservati in ogni dettaglio ma anche alla possibilità di intervenire nel restauro e nel recupero di motociclette, biciclette, auto e automezzi di lavoro che costituiscono testimonianze importanti della nostra storia industriale.
08/12/2011	Grande Mercatino	Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy	The trade show dedicated to auto parts and motorcycles. About 200 exhibitors, including antique dealers, collectors and amateurs.

George back from her Spanish travels

She spent the last week in the Pyrenees at a Pueblo Inglés camp. The week before she was at Margaret and Dereks.

Save Woolley Valley group - granted Judicial review against B&NES

High Court rules Bath Planners do have a case to answer on controversial Woolley site

SWVAG Ltd is pleased to announce that at a hearing on Friday, 21st July, in the High Court, by the order of Mr. Justice Ouseley, they were granted permission for a Judicial Review in the High Court in their action against Bath and North East Somerset Council (BANES). The judge heard arguments from SWVAG's counsel, Richard Harwood, and from Lisa Busch representing BANES, and ruled that BANES have a case to answer in two Planning cases regarding the Golden Valley Paddocks Ltd (GVP) intensive farming development in the Woolley/Swainswick Valley.

The first case involves SWVAG's claim that BANES' position that ten chicken sheds, each designed to house 1,000 chickens, does not fall under European Environmental protection directives is unlawful. The second case involves SWVAG's belief that the only Planning Application (one of 8, that GVP have submitted, all retrospectively) so far approved by BANES for a stock pond has been approved unlawfully.

Mr. Justice Ouseley also granted SWVAG a Protective Cost Order so that they can proceed with their action with the comfort of being able to budget their costs. He also agreed with SWVAG's request to expedite the hearing as the case has been proceeding already for some considerable time and has ordered for the case to be heard in the next term ie the next 4 months.

Related articles 

End of Tour de France & personal best on my bike

Last day of the Tour de France today. It's been a great 3 weeks watching it. Mark Cavendish got the Green jersey and Cadel Evans was the overall winner - first time someone from the Southern hemisphere has won the race.  Something must have rubbed off as I managed a personal best on my bike - 30miles in 97 minutes (18.5 mph). This time last year it took me 116 minutes (15.5mph)

Legnano & vintage cycling info

General Legnano info

• My Legnano bike
• Register of Legnano serial numbers on ClassicRendezvous.com
• Legnano story on EBykr
• Facebook groups & pages: Biciclette Legnano Fans; Restauro Bici
• Rory Masini's blog

Vintage cycling in Italy

Annual Legnano rally in Legnano, Italy - 21, 22 May 2011

• Italian Cycling Journal blog review
• Il Giorno review
• Legnano - 2 wheels reborn from the ashes
• Legnano News

Ercole Baldini - won Gold in 1956 Melbourne Olympics and the 1958 Giro d'Italia

Giro d'Italia d'Epoca

• Tour of Italy - Vintage version - 13 stages from April thru October
• Bikes must be pre 1986, have down-tube gear shifters and pedals with toe clips
• 2011 calendar of stages

View Giro d'Italia d'Epoca 2011 in a larger map

L'Eroica (The Heoric) - Gaiole in Chianti - 2/10/2011

• 38km - 205km routes on gravel roads (strade bianche)
• Registration - 1/2/2011 - 6/9/2011
• Some reports: Retro Bike, Rock n Rolling Cycling (inc video), Guardian

Vintage cycling in the UK

• Classic Lightweights
• London Tweed Run official site - Tweed Run wikipedia
• Bristol Vintage Velo ride
• Bespoked Bristol - UK handmade bicycle show 2011

Vintage cycling in NZ

• The Flying Wheel

June 2011 - Trip to Italy

Monday 20 June - 14:40 flight from Bristol to Pisa - quite a civilised hour of departure for a change.  Stocked up on bicycle mags at the airport.  Flight on time, picked up Hertz rental at Pisa and arrived at apartment early evening.  Great to be back.  I had started to get a sore throat the day before but luckily I managed to shake off any cold.  Jayne wasn't as lucky and ended up suffering for the first week of the holiday.
Tuesday 21st - in the morning did some initial food shopping. Afternoon - headed to big garden centre in Sarzana and picked up a little weber barbecue - much better than the previous one. Also stopped for the obligatory gelato in Bagnone before returning home.
Wednesday 22nd - Went into Bagnone for a coffee and cake and to do the washing.  Work on bike in the afternoon and then went on search for a cable guide.  Eventually found one in an old cycle/mower workshop in Santo Stefano.
Thursday 23rd - More work on bike and trip to pharmacy in Bagnone to get some medicine to help Jayne - sinus's completely blocked
Friday 24th - Bike finally back in working order and cycled into Pontremoli in the morning.  Had a coffee and called Mum & Dad - great to talk. In the evening went to Ristorante Villa Enrica for a fantastic seafood meal. We were the only ones there and sat outside overlooking the fields and hills - lovely.

Saturday 25th - The three of us went into Pontremoli to the Saturday market.  George was looking for some presents for friends.  Had a coffee in the old town and wandered around the food market. Back home for lunch.  I headed out again in the afternoon in my bike. Rode to Pontremoli to see a bike race in the afternoon. It was the 2nd stage of the second Lunigiana Cup - 2' prova della 2' Coppa Lunigiana.  The race consisted of about 6-7 laps of a 7.5km circuit.  First were the serious riders then the older ones afterwards. In hind sight I probably could have entered but didn't know how I would do against the others!!

Sunday 26th - Drove to a vintage car fair in Marina di Massa.  Very interesting and got me interested in trying to find vintage bicycle fairs.  Carried on driving around the coast - all very busy, well it was Sunday - and on to Portovenere.  Wandered around, had a gelato, bought some pesto and back home for dinner.  All in all a lovely day out.  Went for a quick ride before it got dark

Monday 27th - Up early and out for a ride at 07:00.  Definitely the best time of the day.  Rode about 35 miles towards Fivizzano and then back again.  Fantastic.
Tuesday 28th - Up early again for another ride - similar loop but shorter, hillier and a bit more leisurely. Attached the iPhone to the handlebars and took a video of my ride - quite fun!. In the afternoon went into Aulla and then on to La Spezia for some shopping. George bought some clothes and Jayne a handbag.  Had dinner in a seafood restaurant near Portovenere (again!)
Wednesday 29th - Only three days holiday left :-(  Cycled into Sarzana in the morning and had a wander around.  Lovely in the old town.
Thursday 30th - Last cycle of the holiday - up first thing and then the old Fivizzano loop (3 minutes faster than the last time!).  Late morning we all headed into Aulla for a wander around, stopping first at our favourite - Bar Nello. Shock, horror the coffee is now €1.  In Aulla, I bought some cheese (as you do) - can't remember what the girls did.  Gelato and then back to the apartment. Non Solo takeaway Pizza for dinner - on the terrace as usual.  Looking back we had most meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner) on terrace - absolutely lovely.
Friday 1st July - Cleaned the apartment, drove to airport and then home about 5pm.

Looking forward to next time ...

My bike rides

All my bike rides are on:

• MapMyRide until May 2011
• Endomondo from May 2011

My Legnano

My Legnano pictures

General info and links on Legnano bikes 

History, work (in progress) and rides on my Legnano

2011

• 25 Sept - after many enquiries I have found a couple of potential places, near our apartment, to get the frame painted - see Vintage bike restoration
• 30 August - I have wanted to replace the steel cottered cranks for a very long time.  Have finally bought a set of Ofmega 52t/42t with Legnano pantograph on eBay - £15.  Now all I have to find is a bottom bracket to fit.

• 24-30 June - rides in Italy - including Pontremoli, Licciana Nardi, Fivizzano, Sarzana 
• 23 June - finally got it working again and went for a quick ride. Have now got 10 gears again. Brakes and gear changing are much better
• 22 June - Restoration - replaced front Simplex derailleur with Campagnolo Nuovo Record. Had to get a new cable guide. Luckily managed to find one in an old bike/lawmower workshop in Santo Sefano. Replaced all gear and brake cables and outers. Stripped bottom bracket and replaced bearings. Can't get drive side bearing container off. Cleaned chainset and rear derailleur. Replaced plastic Suntour gear shifters with Campagnolo. 'Polished' the frame to try and get rid of some of the rust - although looking at it you wouldn't know! Put on new Universal brake hoods (bought on eBay - $37 )
• 20 June - found the serial number on the side of the seat post tube. It is number #30. There is some conflicting info on the net about serial numbers. One says that if the number is on the side it is a 40s-50s frame and another says that numbers only started from 1970, previously it was a mix of letters and numbers. There is also a site that registers Legnano serial numbers -  and #30 is already there, although the dates given by the person conflict with mine. Confused!!
• April - rides in Italy

2008 and earlier

• August 2008 - rides in Italy
• February 2008 - took bike over to our apartment in Italy, where it now lives.  First rides in Italy
• October 2007 - Bought apartment in Virgoletta, Italy
• August 2007 - complete strip down and clean of all the components. Chain replaced - first time in 35 years!
• July 2007 - bought new alloy wheels & tyres on eBay (£36) - Weinmann rims with Campagnolo Record hubs 913-622/700c 
• 1997 - Bike moves with us to Bath
• Early 1990s' - I used to go out on early morning rides around Silchester, Hampshire
• 1980's - Diagonal down tube cracked and was repaired. Brian Howlett from Dad's work organised the repair
• mid 1980's Gary used the bike while I was away overseas
• Early 1970's - Many rides and races on the bike. Saturday morning races, often around New Lynn. Sunday morning used to be rides from home (New Windsor, Auckland) to Otahuhu and return.  I also used to ride a loop around the Waitakere Ranges in Auckland.  Other big rides I remember include Waiheke Island and Greenhithe
  Waitakere Ranges, Scenic Drive loop
  
  
• Early 1970's - Bike bought secondhand from Speedwell cycles (owned by Laurie Coates), Auckland New Zealand.  Also found out that Hills Cycles imported Legnano and W.H Worrall Ltd imported Frejus frames. This may explain the strange mix of components - simplex front derailleur, suntour rear derailleur & shifters, GB handlebars (not typical Legnano).

Virgoletta to Pontremoli

View Larger Map

Progress on the front

The builders are starting to make good progress. Friday saw coping stones on the wall, hardcore and gravel down the bottom and the steps being faced.

Sunny on Sunday

Continued with moving the dirt on both days of the weekend. Sunday was lovely, just wished I could have been on the bike. Liz stayed over Saturday night.
George had a drive on Sunday. Went to Corston and Bath Spa university grounds.

Test post

Test

Orange group in UK event in London

Went to London for the day. Work event afterwards as Hilton metropole hotel. A colleague from a training course at Ashridge saw me and said "MasterChef". This then resulted in me being introduced to head of Orange Group in UK, head of Orange Europe and deputy CEO of France Telecom, all in the space of 10 mins. Bizarre.

Free Champagne was nice.