Enjoy Tuscany at GF Strade Bianche

GF Strade Bianche is a must-do once

Do you like gravel? Do you like Italy? Do you like gravel? Then GF Strade Bianche is a very nice event to participate in!

In March, our fifth visit to GF Strade Bianche is planned. In this article, we would like to look back on last year's edition.

Beep beep beep the alarm goes off

It is early, very early when Team CYCLOsportive wakes up. The truck with all the bikes and luggage of the 25 participants is ready to leave for Tuscany. A few days earlier, the participants have handed in their stuff and we have carefully loaded everything. In two days we transport all the luggage and the bikes to Siena. A luxury for the participants. They leave for Florence one day after us. By plane. In Florence they are picked up by a bus and taken to the hotel in Siena.

As guides we managed to get to Siena on time, Borgo Grondaie, to arrive. All bikes are unloaded and ready for a first ride through the Tuscan hills. The participants' suitcases are neatly stored in their rooms. Just like the goodie bags. Everything has been thought of.

Also read: Keep cycling in autumn and winter

Get on your bike and go!

Once all participants have settled in their rooms, it is time for a first ride through the Tuscan hills. Everyone has had a long journey and so we start with a short ride of about 40 km. Mainly on asphalt and with one gravel strip. Not just any gravel strip. Le Tolfe, the strip where Van der Poel made a merciless attack during his victory in Strade Bianche 2021. Here we immediately notice that what the pros do is almost supernatural. It all looks easy, but for us mortals it is a different story.

We are spoiled during dinner

The first ride is over. The first stories/experiences are shared. The energy needs to be replenished. We do that in the restaurant of Borgo Grondaie. We have been organizing trips to Italy for years now. Every time we ask ourselves: 'Can you eat badly here?'. The answer is again no. What a pleasure it is to taste the Italian cuisine every time!

Also read: How to prevent travel legs

Preparation for GF Strade Bianche

At the dinner table it is sometimes forgotten. We are here to cycle and prepare for the Granfondo on Sunday. The glasses of wine are filled and soon the atmosphere among the participants is more than pleasant. Cycling connects, it is always nice to see how strangers quickly become acquaintances (sometimes even friends) of each other. On day two there is an extensive ride (70 km) on the program. A number of sections of the GF Strade Bianche are explored. Gravel pros Piotr Havik and Daan Grosemans teach us the tricks of the trade of cycling on gravel. The support car is always nearby to quickly help us get back on the road in case of breakdowns. Halfway through the ride the support car is waiting for us so that everyone can refill their water bottles. After the ride the participants enjoy the lunch prepared by the hotel. While the participants are resting in bed we go to Siena as support to pick up the starting numbers. The 'Tour' is won in bed.

Watching the pros, what a spectacle!

The last day before the Granfondo there is always a short ride on the program and we go and watch the pros. During our short ride we ride towards the ladies. Watching the pros is always quite a spectacle. After the ride we quickly head towards Le Tolfe. The strip is a few kilometers from our hotel, ideal! It is busy, people are four rows deep waiting for what is to come. The tension slowly builds up. The race is followed on phones and people look in the air to see if the helicopter is approaching yet. The characteristic sound of the race! The engines, race cars, the honking! It all makes the race fans go crazy with tension. When Tadej Pogacar thunders onto the strip after a long wait, the crowd explodes. This may well be the highlight of the trip to GF Strade Bianche.

Also read: Why book a group trip?

Our own Strade Bianche

On Sunday we all sit down early for breakfast. From the hotel it is about 2 km by bike to the start. In March it is cold in the morning in Siena! `With an extra jacket it is easy to do, but where do you put it? Supervisors Martin and Sjaak walk along the starting boxes to collect all the jackets. Then they rush to the first point where the participants can refill their water bottles. During the Granfondo we have planned extra care for our participants at three points. After 30, 80 and 110 km. The stories we hear from the participants also make it a wonderful experience for the supervisors at the care stations. Enthusiasm, suffering, blood, sweat and tears. It all passes by that day. In Siena, on Piazza del Campo, only happy faces. The finish has been reached. Euphorically we gather at one of the many restaurants in the centre of the beautiful city. One pizza after the other is ordered and is quickly devoured. One story is more beautiful than the other. Each participant has experienced his own adventure. Beautiful!

Would you also like to experience this adventure? GF STRADE BIANCHE