piggyblog

Embarrassingly kind nod from Competitive Cyclist

2009-12-07T22:08:00.000-08:00

Part of the fun of meeting people on our tours is enjoying their company throughout the years. Olivia and Christof came for our tours in Italy, and now are in touch whenever they run out of olive oil. They mentioned we had a write up in Competitive Cyclist, and we have to say it is very flattering.

Oil, Bikes, Tours: we seem to be the one-stop-shop for a tiny, fun group of people!

2010 Trip are on line!

2009-12-07T09:16:00.000-08:00

Finalmente!! We have finished our new site, and our trips for '10 are posted in detail. Many thanks to Martin for his patience working with us, and his artistic talents going to use for our riding fun.

For those of you who have been with us before you might appreciate the new voice our writer Rob put into the text, he guides with us and knows how fun the trips are. If you have yet to join us on a Cinghiale trip please excuse the inside jokes.

Holiday Oil for Sale

2009-11-17T10:47:00.000-08:00

Looking for a great holiday gift??

We are now selling 0.5 liter bottles of our Organic Extra Virgin Olive oil!!

$18 plus shipping

To place your order email: info@extravirginoilco.com

ancora... just for fun

2009-10-13T03:15:00.001-07:00

If you haven't already take a look at this video... "the office"..... thanks to Arnaud!

a teaser for 2010...

2009-10-13T02:07:00.000-07:00

With a fabulous 2009 season behind us... we look forward to the 2010 season. As some of you may have heard we have added our first ever tour in France: a hog-wild-wine-tasting-mountain climbing- lavender-smelling- good time. Join Andy as he revisits his epic 1992 climb up Alpe d'Huez as well as other infamous climbs: Ventoux, Izoard, Galibier...

Check out our full 2010 schedule for more details.

I bike. You bike. New Yorkers bike too.

2009-08-23T14:20:00.000-07:00

A favorite sunday tradition of our family is to crowd around the computer for the New York Times photographer Bill Cunningham's "On the Street" multimedia display of life and fashion of the week in NYC. Now, I know it's not NYC bike snob, but Cunningham is a fabulous guy who rides a bike around the city snapping photos of things he likes... and this week it was about the cyclists.... here's the link and cheers to the cyclists!

On the Street / Happy Trails

Check it out!

2009-08-14T14:45:00.000-07:00

See what Cinghiale Alum, Buzz Yancich, has to say about riding the Italian Alps and Dolomites with Andy @ italiancyclingjournal. Great words Buzz!

GAVIA POSTERS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE

2009-08-11T16:11:00.000-07:00

Hot Off the Press! The new edition of Andy racing over the snowy Gavia Pass in the 1988 Giro d'Italia is now available for purchase. A big shout out to HampCo's pal Rich Roat of House Industries for making this oldie more groovy! Rich and his staff cut short their rides to tell the whole story by superimposing the stage profile. Photo was taken on the uphill where we can read 2390 near the summit. The 25k descent to Bormio is where the time gaps opened. Andy has been heard muttering "Once I passed Santa Caterina the snow turned back to rain, hard to say which was worst.."

Image is 16"/22" on heavy archival paper. Great for framing or the fridge.

$35 (includes US shipping... see below for shipping options)

signed editions available too... just indicate that you would like a signed poster in the drop down menu below.

Spring in Castagneto 2009 PHOTOS!

2009-06-01T13:38:00.000-07:00

Check out photos from our fabulous spring trip. Getting fit in Tuscany couldn't have been more fun... or beautiful!

Cinghiale has a new address

2009-05-28T01:21:00.000-07:00

Cinghiale Cycling Tours, Inc.

961 6th Street, Boulder, CO 80302

You can reach Andy and Elaine at

720-565-0346

Please remember to send your final payments to Elaine Lauterbach at the new Boulder address rather than the old Seattle one.

You can also find the address at the bottom of every page on the Cinghiale site and on the Contacts page.

Thank you!

Julia

Cinghiale Corporate HQ

Grazie e Ciao

2009-05-27T23:20:00.001-07:00

Julia with one of her latest gouache/paper collages, called Interlaken.

---------------------

(This is my retirement party, so drink a glass of Brunello di Montalcino while you read this. Salute!).

Big thanks to Andy for the generous words below and for eight years of fun, creativity, collaboration, camaraderie, and good hard work at Cinghiale, Inc. It's been a great ride and I will miss the daily interaction with Andy and Elaine. They make a truly wonderful team.

I am excited to be embarking on a new phase of my life with my art front and center. I'm developing a new website that will consolidate my three lines of artistic work. Till then, you can keep an eye on what I'm up to at the following places:

Julia Hensley Paintings and Art News

Art Classes

Art Community and Conversation

Drop me a note if you feel so inspired - I'd love to hear from you. I'll still be popping up here from time to time too, so watch out for random art posts.

Thanks for reading, and thanks for being part of the incomparable Cinghiale community. Ride your bike, eat good olive oil, look at art, and enjoy that glass of wine in good health -

Ciao!

Julia

Bike Talk

2009-04-28T15:12:00.000-07:00

Check out this new interview... it's about a guy who rides a bike.

A NEW HOME

2009-04-20T16:57:00.000-07:00

For many years we have looked to Julia for daily piggy inspiration and now she moves on to inspire us in other ways.

When the going gets tough, the tough find an art teacher. We are happy that even in these economic times people are still appreciating art, custom bike frames, and extra virgin olive oil. Julia is marching to her true calling, that of art, and besides teaching classes at a local college, she is teaching privately, all the while creating some pretty amazing pieces of her own...

What does this mean for us? A happy farewell to our resident artist, Julia, and a new home for the mail.

Please note that our office/mailing address is now in Boulder, so please send your fan mail to:

Cinghiale Cycling Tours, Inc.

961 6th St.

Boulder, CO 80302

Elaine will be doing her best to fill in where Julia left off, so please send questions, comments and concerns to elaine@cinghiale.com... complaints still get sent to Andy.

A heartfelt thank you to Julia for all that she has done here at Cinghiale; she has been present every step of the way... and she will be missed!

We hope you all are enjoying some spring riding!

~The Cinghiale Crew

C'est La Vie

2009-03-01T14:45:00.000-08:00

Belgian Knee Warmers publishes the whole of Road Bike Action's recent interview with Andy about the 1986 Tour for an article about current conflict within the Astana team.

The electricity crackles in Andy's recounting of the conflict between Hinault and Lemond, told from his viewpoint as both white jersey and 4th place GC. Wear rubber-soled shoes.

1988: Epic Cartography

2009-01-05T20:15:00.000-08:00

Rich Roat and pals at House Industries, known for their crazy fun fonts and designs, have been enjoying the 1988 Giro handbook. With any luck we will see some collaboration inspired by the old on the new Cinghiale poster and jersey.

pink wool: got yours?

2008-12-18T18:59:00.000-08:00

A limited supply of Rapha's '80s cool wool pink jersey is still available.

Andy earned his maglia rosa the cold, hard way, you can get yours with cold, hard earned cash - then ride the heck out of it.

Rapha is a Scotland-based riding 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.

Inspired and inspiring Wow! factors include a plush wool blend, a #172 dossard with safety pins, and a sewn on applique with Andy's name in the 7-Eleven font. (Andy's 8-day defense at the Giro was carried out in a pink wool jersey with a musette bag cutout sewn onto it).

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

Suine respect

2008-11-24T21:01:00.000-08:00

Jim, our main swine from Down Under living in North Carolina, is looking out for us with this fine example of why we love pigs.

Winston Churchill

2008-11-20T12:57:00.000-08:00

"I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals."

COOKING WITH CHICCA: THE RECIPES!

2008-11-13T15:28:00.000-08:00

We have posted the Cooking and Cycling 2008 cooking class recipes.

Thanks to Chicca and Arnaud you can download your favorite, or all, recipes off of our gallery page.

Buon Appetito!

(font shows best in slideshow mode on gallery page)

2008 PHOTO GALLERY

2008-11-13T12:26:00.000-08:00

Here are some photos highlighting the good times of 2008... Enjoy!

Greg Brown's Dolomiti diary

2008-10-24T12:49:00.003-07:00

I think Greg had a pretty good time in the mountains.
Read more here.

Tuscany's best road

2008-10-21T14:02:00.000-07:00

Our man from Cham. Arnaud, videos it like it is on the road from Sassetta to Suvereto.

Share your shots

2008-10-04T12:38:00.000-07:00

Welcome home, all our fall trip travelers!

As we continue to update our website, we will be adding a gallery where your picture links can be posted.

Meanwhile, send the links to me at julia@cinghiale.com and I will post them here for everyone to enjoy.

Elba, photo by Arnaud Bachelard

posted by Julia

Andy's favorite

2008-10-04T12:28:00.001-07:00

Andy loves his Strada Bianca, recently featured in Cycling News.

Click here to read the article

Bill & Cam's Italian Adventure

2008-08-27T10:59:00.000-07:00

Bill Ale and John Horton are intrepidly blogging their Dolomiti adventure. Check in HERE for a story in progress. Thanks for sharing, guys!

A page from Andy's "race bible".

our favorite French guide

2008-08-18T16:08:00.000-07:00

relives the Barolo trip...aaahhhhhh.

He adds in his note, "Raining today. They cancelled the "Fete des Guides". Too bad!" Makes that all that green, rolling country look even lovelier.

Click here to see Arnaud Bachelard's pictures.

photo: Arnaud Bachelard

Board meeting

2008-07-23T18:59:00.000-07:00

Here we are in mid-July. Cinghiale Inc. has two great spring trips under our belt and the late August Dolomite Epic trip will be on us soon. Nothing to do but call a board meeting in Crested Butte, Co. with some of our trusty guides.

This rare photo shows Andy and Scot Nicol strategizing at 11,600 feet at a company HQ.

Happy July to you all!

Andy

From Enrico to our Barolo riders!

2008-06-18T09:51:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends,

My legs took a rest; Barolo, Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, Barbera are in my soul after a 8 intensive days in my body. The Langhe Tour teach us to riding well, especially to drink better! Anyway, thank you to everyone, Campioni di Barolo. I wish you a nice breakfast with special cappuccino and brioches.

Enrico

Enrico Carracciolo is our good friend, guide and pro photographer. See his photograph in the previous post.

- Julia

A rough day in the Barolo region

2008-06-17T23:31:00.000-07:00

Here is Enrico's surprise on our "Cheese Ride". We stopped an hour into the ride for a cappucino. It turns out we were served a still warm fresh cheese that was barely liquid and had shaved truffles on them, the croissants were also still warm with artichokes inside them. yum....

- Andy

This old thing

2008-06-17T23:22:00.000-07:00

Check it out! Taliah Lampert's paintings of Andy's Landshark.

Marmolada and the Pordoi

2008-05-28T07:22:00.000-07:00

For all you Dolomiti Summit Fest folks, especially, here's a great account of riding a couple of mountain passes in the Dolomites. I don't know about you, but for me reading this this makes the experience a bit more immediate and real. . .ouch.

Pez Cycling News article here

Posted by Julia

Gavia interview

2008-05-28T07:01:00.000-07:00

Here's part one of the story of Andy's Gavia ride, retold by John Wilcockson. Part 2 is to follow in VeloNews later this week.

Click here for VeloNews article.

And, the Landshark he rode in on.

Cycling News

2008-05-22T16:57:00.000-07:00

Click here for pictures of Andy's favorite ride. Nice interview, too, especially the part about the relationship between sweaty palms and even-numbered gears.

posted by Julia

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@extravirginoilco.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?