piggyblog

Gianonne reports from the Giro

2008-05-10T12:16:00.000-07:00

Gianonne, Cinghiale guide now working his massage magic for the Slipstream/Chipotle bike racing team, has sent this photo of the team warming up with ice vests on in Palermo. Minutes later they went on the win the 23k team time trial.

20 years after Andy sports the pink leaders jersey Christian Vandevelde takes it with his Boulder based team. Way to go boys!!!

Hands down, Andy's best hair day.

2008-05-09T14:38:00.000-07:00

OK, I just won the climbing tt at the '88 Giro and doubled my lead. But the hair is all 80s, and was the peak of fashion, baby.

Rapha made, '80s cool, wool pink jersey available now.

2008-05-08T09:34:00.000-07:00

Andy earned his maglia rosa the cold hard way, you can get yours with hard earned cold cash.

Rapha is a Scotland based riding/hipster apparel company that works with wool and ultimate comfort, their design team joined forces with the powers at Hampco Inc. to produce a limited edition of the '88 leaders jersey worn by Andy.

Wow factors include a plush wool blend, a #172 dossard with safety pins, and highlights a sewn on applique that has Andy's name splashed in the 7-Eleven font. Why? Andy's 8 day defense at the Giro was carried out in the same jersey with a musette bag cut out sewn on his jersey.

6 sizes from xs to xxl. $215 and heck we'll ship it too. The small sizes frame best, and is happy to sign it if you like. Colorado residents add 17.54 for tax.

Dolomite stage in the '08 Giro d'Italia

2008-05-07T08:43:00.000-07:00

Here is the mega hard stage that the big boys will be riding in this months Giro. It has two of the hardest climbs in Italy on one entree: The Gavia then the Mortirolo.
One could note that during last year's Cinghiale tour in the Dolomites guest and master frame builder Bill Holland threw down the all time Cinghiale ride: Bormio-Gavia- Mortirolo with everyone else. Then at the base of the Mortirolo turns around and rides the COMPLETE EAST FACE of the Mortirolo. The vertical alone is amazing, the fact he did it on impulse with no food or money and crawled home (in style) at dusk earns him the Cinghiale Most Piggish Ride award. Rispetto!

Brunello blues

2008-04-24T14:42:00.000-07:00

Cinghiale wine aces, Ken Whiteside and Rob Coppolillo, found this article on the alleged doctoring of Brunello wines interesting.

Coppolillo displays his cycnicism by telling us "You don't even need to read the article to know what it says." That's why we hire him as a guide.

Andy

a reminder

2008-04-16T15:25:00.000-07:00

. . .Of the good times con noi!

Race book, 71st Giro d'Italia

2008-04-16T14:59:00.000-07:00

This artifact emerged from Andy's attic on my recent visit to Boulder. It's his personal copy of the 1988 Giro "race bible". I found it interesting and thought you might, too. Gotta love the Sprite ad. . .
-Julia

Gavia 1988, live action

2008-04-16T14:34:00.000-07:00

Click here for some very rare footage.

poster boy

2008-04-16T13:59:00.000-07:00

The recent article in Bicycling magazine mentioned we have Andy-on-the-Gavia posters for sale. In reality there are only a handful left. As noted by Steve in the the Hampsten Cycles/Fermaguaina blog version of this post, "Pal Jerry at www.bicycleposters.com has a few left, just shoot him a note." So you may still be able to catch one of the last of the current edition.

The real news is that we have a brand new version of the poster in the works, based on the original slide by Sergio Penazzo and designed by Michael Matisse. Arrival and purchasing info will be posted right here as soon as they roll off the press, so stay tuned.

somebody has to taste this stuff

2008-04-15T19:28:00.000-07:00

Andy in one of his favorite locations: a wine cellar.

Not just any cellar, but the Ca' Brusca wine cellar in deepest Barolo territory.

Andy says:

"You won't find Ca' Brusca in your local wine shoppe. You will find it on the upcoming Giro Celebration trip this May. '04 Ca' Brusca is rated an "Awesome" by none other than Master Sommelier Nate Ready. Respect.

Have we mentioned how friendly Barolo area wine makers are? One of the best wines on the planet, almost all are family run and small, and they love wine-lovers. What's not to like?"

Sounds like the Giro Celebration guests are in for a treat. . .

business meeting

2008-04-15T19:21:00.000-07:00

Andy and Julia at El Dorado Springs last week in Boulder.

"Sharks attack!"

2008-03-25T19:18:00.000-07:00

Nice spot on the Belgian Knee Warmers blog about Andy's Landshark, built for him by John Slawta for the 1988 Giro d'Italia. If that bike could talk. . .Read about it here

Also see the post below that one for an interview with Andy about the day he rode over the Gavia.

Our man in pink: new Rapha jerseys

2008-03-19T21:44:00.000-07:00

See more on the Rapha site

Giro Celebration in the Barolo

2008-03-06T08:58:00.000-08:00

Balances are now due!

Thanks, folks. Andy had a great visit last month and can't wait to show you the sights. . .

photo: Enrico Caracciolo

Dolomites opening

2008-03-04T13:25:00.001-08:00

Attention shoppers: we have space for ONE lucky (strong, fun!), FEMALE cyclist on our full-to-the-brim Dolomiti Epic tour.

Sorry, fellas. There's always next year.

peloton musique

2008-03-04T13:17:00.001-08:00

For all you cycling-and-techno fans out there, here is a project from Seattle artists, Aron Schoppert, Shane Silkey, and Eli Huntington.

Click on the music player in the right hand column of the link to hear music based around air pump blasts, spoke plucks, brake compresses, and sprocket click-clacks.

Grooviness!

wa hoo!

2008-03-04T13:15:00.001-08:00

Snowboy takes to the hills

Extra Virgin Oil: new harvest

2008-02-19T15:55:00.000-08:00

Out of "the good stuff"? Can you hang in there till March? That's when we are expecting the 2007 harvest to be delivered and we can't wait, either. Our source has gone organic, so the price has risen a bit: $150 for 5 liters + $15 shipping.

Email Elaine to reserve your supply:
info@tuscanextravirgin.com

(Website coming, eventually).

Andy is "working" in Italy this week

2008-02-14T13:33:00.000-08:00

Hampstar is currently in the old country, checking on some tours and the Extra Virgin Oil Company pipeline, and most importantly, watching Gerado's big race in Donoratico. Now that's a sight I would like to see.

Andy and Gerardo holding down the bench in Colle Val d'Elsa.

(If you haven't met Gerardo yet, he is our support van driver, mechanic, bike rental tzar, comic relief, and a born communicator. You don't need Italian to get his jokes).

"fully supported"

2008-02-05T21:35:00.001-08:00

Chianti Tour opens to all

2008-02-05T18:30:00.000-08:00

Saturday, June 14- Saturday, June 21, 2008

Joel Kobert's trip is now open to EVERYONE.

Six nights, seven days in the incomparable Chianti region of Tuscany - what's not to like? All speeds of rider are welcome, from those who want to pack in the miles to those who prefer not to get sweaty on the bike for hours.

Joel Kobert says grab your spot NOW and join our gang, we look forward to meeting you!

don't wait too long...

2008-02-05T16:35:00.000-08:00

(Aaahhh. I could use some of this about now, how about you?)

Still pondering which tour to take for your Tuscan vacation? Don't ponder too long, there has been a flurry of booking forms lately.

The Dolomiti Epic - FULL

Giro Celebration Tour -FULL

Chianti Tour - Filling fast

Cooking & Cycling in Castagneto - Filling fast

A few spaces on two non-private trips remain.

Operators are standing by.

We love the Ostermans!

2008-01-25T14:20:00.000-08:00

Our friends, Mike and Michelle Osterman, sure know some fun people, and they are smart, too! Eleven couples have signed up so far for the sublime Elba & Tuscany Tour, and they are in for a treat.

The riding on Elba is hilly, which makes the views of the Mediterranean that much more...did I say "sublime" already?