SEVEN members of the Collie Cycle Club recently embarked on a trip of a lifetime cycling in Italy.
During the 16-day trip in May, the riders covered more than 1100 kilometres with an 18,000 metre ascent.
The group of riders consisted of people from around the world including Canada, America, Guatemala, England and Australia.
The concept of a riding trip was first mentioned by former Collie resident and current spokesperson for Cycling WA, Gary Suckling.
Working in conjunction with Punto Tours, a riding tour of Italy was designed that included Tuscany and the Northern Alps.
The trip required months of planning and training to prepare for the journey ahead. Steve and Colleen DeAngelis and Mark and Sue Paget talked about the potential of an Italian adventure and by October last year they were fully committed.
The friends were delighted to be riding along some of the world’s most famous cycling terrain.
The tour started in Chianti before heading through places such as Volterra, Siena, Sondrio and even crossed the border into Switzerland.
Several stages of the ride incorporated sections of the Giro d’Italia track – a real highlight for riders.
“The group rode into Pomerance and not long after the Giro caravan came through,” Mrs Paget said.
“There was singing and dancing - a real carnival atmosphere; the place was alive and abuzz with excitement.
“It was really exciting to be in a place where one of the Grand Tours took place.”
The team even got to take a breather in Treviso and watch the Giro riders take off for their time trial.
There was even time to have a chat to renowned Australian cyclist Simon Clarke.
“He was really gracious with his time and it was really nice to talk to him,” Mrs Paget said.
“We asked him if he could hear what people were saying while riding and he said he didn’t - but was able to make out Australian accents.”
Mr DeAngelis said he would highly recommend the tour, but riders should definitely spend some time training before heading over.
“You need to have a fair amount of experience,” he said.
“Some of the days were really tough, but it was great to be riding along like-minded athletes.
“One of the riders was ranked fifth in the world for her age and another was a competitor in the Hawaii Ironman.
“All of us shared that passion for cycling, food and wine.”
The ride usually started at 8.30am and with equipment supplied all riders needed to do was eat breakfast, fill up a drink bottle and head off.
Meals were also taken care of by the guides.
“One of the good aspects was how we would have a local chef or one of our tour guides explain the food and wine in the region,” Mr Paget said.
Mrs DeAngelis and Mrs Paget rode in the support van which looked after all the riders and helped pick out places to stop for morning tea and lunch.
“The views were spectacular,” Mrs Paget said.
“It was everything we imagined and more.”
Some of the terrain was steep – the incline in some places was twice as severe as Roeland Hill.
However, riders could jump in the van at any time to take a break.
“We had to train as best we could by riding around Collie, but nothing could prepare you for the real thing,” Mr DeAngelis said.
“Even though you eat a lot, we lost a few kilos from the amount of energy we were burning.
“It was great fun – it wasn’t about racing but more about leisure and pleasure.”