Today is my first day at the AIS base in Varese, Italy. I flew in early this morning with Shara Gillow and Carlee Taylor, both of whom have returned from the Tour of Chonming Island in China. We have joined Lauren Kitchen, Amanda Spratt and Kirsty Broun who have been training up a storm here in Varese.
The AIS base is a block of apartments that is home to a variety of bike-related athletes. At the moment, it's housing the Jayco-AIS boys, women's road, and a couple of BMX chicks. The apartments are pretty well set up with a bike room, gym/ergo room and office. There are Italian lessons for the athletes, regular massages and it's opposite what I'm told is the world's best gelati shop. It's a tough life. There are around 3 athletes in each apartment and I'm sharing with Lauren and Carlee.
It is very wet here at the moment - unusual for this time of the year. After we unpacked bikes we rode for 2.5hrs in the rain and got so cold that my fingers couldn't undo my helmet strap buckle or zips when we finished. Not quite the Italian summer I was hoping for but it can only get better.
The day after tomorrow we drive to Belgium for some kermesse racing and then a short 2-day tour in France. (The rain today was probably good prep for Belgium!) I spent some time living in Brussels in 2005/6 when I worked for Linklaters and I'm looking forward to going back... it's a very cool little country.
At the moment everything feels pretty new and there is a lot to take in but I'm looking forward to getting settled. And a good night's sleep after the 21hr transit wouldn't go astray, either!
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Hey Lisa,
ReplyDeleteGood luck over there. I look
forward to reading all about it!
Say hi to Kirsty and your Mum for me.
Zoe.
Great to see you've arrived safely and are settling down. Hope the weather fines up. Its been crappy here in Melbourne raining every morning this week. I reckon every serious cyclist have now set up their ergos at home. The forecast is for 7 days of sun alebit cold in the mornings.
ReplyDeleteCant wait to hear more about Varese as you know I plan to head there to ride in 2013.
Best of luck racing in Belgium and look forward to the race report.
Hey Lisa,
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your time there it's soooo awesome. good luck for your races.
Also, I'm sure someone will have told you this already, but I feel it's my duty just to make sure that you go have some pizza here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12492020@N02/1292939654/
Especially the Ballun. I think it's a right of passage in Varese.