Munda Biddi update: gravel test ride with bike fully loaded

-
Time is flying and it is nearly the 15th of April. Only 11 days to go! I need to get organised with some last things but the bulk of stuff is pretty much done.

Last Sunday I went for a 100km gravel ride, testing the bike and the bags. All worked out decently well and gave me the opportunity to fix the few minor things that were needed.

Ground conditions are very difficult. The lack of rain in the last 6 months made the gravel roads very loose and sandy. Riding on them is like floating at the moment, without much grip. However, the choice of 50mm tyres was very good and I managed to prevent many falls on Sunday.

The bike I will be using is a Giant revolt 1 from 2014. It has an aluminum frame and it is quite heavy compared to the others. I got attached to this bike because I bought it second hand in 2022, 2 or 3 weeks before the race SeVen in Nannup. I have never ridden a gravel bike before then and SeVen was my very first gravel ride. It was quite a scary experience by then.

Since then, the bike has been modified a lot and I am proud to say that I did all the jobs on my own. From the original set up, only the frame, fork, handlebar and rear brake caliper are original. All the other components were replaced. During this operation I had to learn a lot and I became a quite decent mechanic now.

PS. Do not forget my fundraiser, here are the details: https://gofund.me/ae7d4661
I really hope Gianluca, from up there, will help me to complete this course without many injuries :)




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Munda Biddi adventure for "Vivere per Amare"

-
Image
I've decided to take on the incredible journey of riding the Munda Biddi trail from Perth to Albany (~1100km) from 15/4! But this adventure is about more than just the thrill of the ride. I have been preparing for weeks for this and only now I decided to dedicate this journey to my cousin Gianluca Latini, who left us far too soon 12 years ago due to a rare endocrine tumor, at only 39. I hope this ride will help honor his  memory and raise awareness about endocrine and neuroendocrine diseases. I've set up a GoFundMe page to support the association established in Gianluca's name, 'Vivere per amare - Gianluca Latini' (Live to Love). Every contribution helps, no matter the size. If you'd like to join me in making a difference, here's the link:  https://gofund.me/ae7d4661 Thank you all for your support and encouragement on this meaningful journey! Together, let's ride for a cause.
Read more

The adventure starts tomorrow

-
Image
less than 24 days before my adventure starts and I have mixed feelings: excited for the new experience and worried at the same time. Every time I go out with the bike, even for a short ride, the thought that I cannot make it is always there. However, on this occasion, it is not just the fear of physical exhaustion, but thinking about where to find food, water and if I will be able to rest properly while camping outdoors. I will share my journey with two friends, Richard and Waeel. We trained together and hopefully we will be able to enjoy every bit of it. In the picture I depicted the track of my first day. I have the ambition to start from the doorstep of my house! Do not forget my fundraiser: https://gofund.me/ae7d4661 You can check my progress here: https://giovanni.maprogress.com/mundabiddiforvivereperamare
Read more

It's classic, not plastic

-
Image
This Fondriest bike has been my loyal companion for more than 21 years. I nicknamed it 'giallorossa' for its colours (it means 'red and yellow' in Italian) which are also the colours of my favourite soccer team, AS Roma. This bike is now in Italy and I keep using it during my summer holidays over there. It is still a great bike and I changed just a few components from the day I bought it. I used it in Italy, UK and Australia before I purchased a new Trek bike. It never deceived me and it has been a very reliable bike so far. It is not for sure the best bike of its time but I have such a particular attachment to this piece of metal that reminds me my youth when I had no responsibilities. It is classic because is made of steel and it does not share anything with the fancy bikes you can find today. Bought with the first money I made while I was studying at uni, it accompanied me during the most important phases of my life. It helped me to overcome the sad moments o
Read more