And a Tribute to Coppi...

I've had this design for four years now. I finally have a use for it. I'm going out on a limb here to say that Paul and Dylan will be the only toddlers with Fausto Coppi / Campagnolo Cambio Corsa t-shirts on...

Front is the design of the two levers and translates to "... good enough for Fausto, good enough for me" while the back states "All I need are two levers and four gears".

l'Eroica T-Shirts for the Boys!

Dylan and Paul will be supporting me in style in a couple of weeks, sporting these one-off Cicli Masini supporter t-shirts I just made.

"Forza, Babbo" is a very Tuscan "Go, Daddy!" while "te brüsa tanto 'l cü!" is a take on the Ganna quote of "my ass is on fire!" This time, however, it's "your butt is on fire!" just to keep it safe for the under-two crowd.

Cicli Masini Welcomes New Sponsor Challenge Strada Biancha Tires!

A business friend from way back in the Saeco days when his Oval TT forks and bars, Morgan Nicol is another one of those really connected guys in the pro road team world. He was the one who introduced me (and Cannondale at the time) to the 3M team in Belgium as well. Now with Challenge, Morgan and I were discussing all the latest team movements at Interbike when I noticed the Strada Bianca on display.

"If you're going over to l'Eroica again, why don't you try these," said Morgan. And just like that, I was trying to talk my way out of the show with a pair of tubulars wrapped around my neck. Good thing I had an exhibitor badge on (from a competing tire company, no less). So with that, I'm proud to announce that I'm "officially sponsored" by Challenge tires for l'Eroica! Thanks, Morgan!

I told him about my trip to Italy after the Tour this summer where I found my new wooden rimmed wheels in a potato-chip like state. I jokingly asked if he had any super-curvy tubulars in the warehouse but fortunately, Challenge tires has a bit more production control than that!

The one thing you need when you have wide wooden rims is a set of fat, strong tubulars with wide tape (you don't want the tire casing to be glued down or rub on the edge of the rim). These should work perfectly, if only the guys who threw tacks down in 2012 decide to give it a rest this year.

HandCraftedNOBrand Shoes!

Even more l'Eroica preparation, this time for the feet. I've been using an old pair of cheap black leather cycling replica shoes with a plastic sole... and velcro straps! When they're hidden in the clips and straps, it's not too offensive, but this year I've decided to go all in...

Hand-crafted in Padova by Sergio Calegher and Simone Segalin in their shop that dates back to 1934, these shoes are perfectly-reproduced 1920's shoes that may last me through all my future l'Eroicas. They use antique tools, methods and only the best material. Just a Facebook message away, they responded today with a posting of my finished shoes ready to pick up in Gaiole. They even made a second pair to ensure I was in love with the style and fit.

HandCraftedNOBrand can be found here. Order yours now and you may get them in time for l'Eroica! Don't let the price of their fashion shoes and boots scare you away... I may start saving up for a pair of those now!

Getting the boys ready for l'Eroica!

Yeah, I said it. Crazy or not, we're taking the boys to Europe in a couple of weeks while they still fly 'free'. Quotations because I'm not so sure $1000 in taxes on free tickets qualifies as 'free' anymore.

We're taking the opportunity to see all or most of our Swiss and Italian friends, landing in Zurich and spending a couple days in Basel before heading South to paradise. We'll be at the start of Milano-Torino to see our Milanese friends and the pro cycling crowd, then East to see all my Liquigas-era friends in the Veneto before heading to Tuscany. Janelle has a friend with a 'castle' near Siena, where we'll stay through l'Eroica (I know, nice friend, huh!?!).

That said, in addition to their knickers, poor-boy hats and argyle socks, Dylan and Paul intend to be the best-dressed vintage infants at the event! Some Photoshopping and ironing of logos, and we're now ready for a bit of sewing to make these Stucchi and Bianchi jerseys real!

Paul is already walking a half-dozen steps at a time and we're pretty sure Dylan will take his first steps while in Italy... it's going to be an interesting trip!