Every year 2 very good friends, Collodi and Mao (Claudio and Maorizio) challenge each other to do 2 circuits of Bagni di Lucca. Lucky me, I was here to see the spectacular event this morning.
At 8.30 the participants began to arrive at the piazza. The race is between just 2, but their friends go along for the ride as well.
Mao, in the white T shirt arrives.
There is preliminary discussion with Collodi, in the red shirt.
Then there is more discussion.
There are advisors.
A small problem with a bike.
More discussion.
And they are off.
Collodi takes an early lead.
The others join in
2 wives and a daughter are there to see them off.
Friends gather for more discussion.
Collodi is in the lead after the first circuit.
The others follow.
And here they come down the last bit.
I actually missed photographing the end because a car got in the way.
Mao won with Collodi a close second.
Collodi lives to ride again.
Still friends.
There is more discussion.
A couple of gratuitous photos of men in Lycra.
Congratulations Mao!
I hope I am here next year for the big race.
They obviously had a great time!
By: mulino dominillo on June 10, 2012
at 1:06 pm
A lot of fun was had by all.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 10, 2012
at 8:40 pm
Ah, men in tights 🙂
By: composerinthegarden on June 10, 2012
at 1:10 pm
It is a bit off really, I would prefer a nice pair of shorts.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 10, 2012
at 8:41 pm
I love the hand-made sign and the flowers at the end of the race! Great story!
By: margieinitaly on June 10, 2012
at 1:11 pm
I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 10, 2012
at 8:41 pm
I was noticing your balcony’s plants look great….so pretty. Tell Bianca hers look great also!
Joan.
By: Anonymous on June 10, 2012
at 1:47 pm
Our geraniums are doing very well and it is raining tonight so I won’t have to water the ones on the bridge tomorrow.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 10, 2012
at 8:42 pm
Hilarious! Italian men in Lycra. Tis the season! 😉
By: Jennifer Avventura on June 10, 2012
at 1:47 pm
It was a fun morning! I’m so glad I was here for it.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 10, 2012
at 8:47 pm
I always notice men who seriously ride bicycles have lovely legs. Thank u for showing us Deb
By: dianne Cant on June 10, 2012
at 8:13 pm
I did notice some fine looking legs.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 10, 2012
at 8:47 pm
I love this kind of thing! So much fun to witness. Oh yeah, and nice lycra butt shots there, Debra 🙂
By: Shelagh on June 10, 2012
at 9:06 pm
I liked that photo too.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 11, 2012
at 6:41 am
Love your story telling, Debra. 🙂
By: Karen Overton on June 10, 2012
at 9:54 pm
Thank you.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 11, 2012
at 6:41 am
Some good looking Italian men Debra!
Pam Proctor
By: Anonymous on June 10, 2012
at 10:20 pm
I try!
By: Debra Kolkka on June 11, 2012
at 6:42 am
Too cute Debra! It is even more fun to see your Ponte posts now. You are a huge asset. I hope they start to appreciate what they’ve got in you! xx
By: janinevasta on June 10, 2012
at 10:35 pm
It was a greatest to be in the village.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 11, 2012
at 6:42 am
Looks like a good race. By the way, how’s your house coming along?
Hugs,
Kathy
By: Kathryn McCullough on June 10, 2012
at 11:25 pm
I am going up today with furniture. Hopefully there will be some new photos soon.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 11, 2012
at 6:43 am
A wonderful tradition. How many years have they done this?
By: aFrankAngle on June 11, 2012
at 12:41 am
Tanti anni is all I was told. I am not usually here in June, so this was my first.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 11, 2012
at 6:43 am
Hubby is mad about cycling too. If he were there and invited, he would have happily joined! 🙂
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on June 11, 2012
at 10:21 am
Anyone is welcome to join in. There will be a second event in a couple of weeks.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 12, 2012
at 2:25 pm
It looks like everyone is having fun. And it’s a family event, too!
By: megtraveling on June 11, 2012
at 12:20 pm
Everybody was there to watch the fun.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 12, 2012
at 2:25 pm
How fun! Nice shots…all of them. Did favor the gratuitous shots of men in lycra. :o)
By: Duckprints Gallery on June 11, 2012
at 3:49 pm
There were some very nice looking gentlemen there.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 12, 2012
at 2:26 pm
What a happy way to spend a Saturday! Fun event, obviously!
By: Our Kitchen Inventions on June 11, 2012
at 5:20 pm
It was great fun. I love being here for the local stuff.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 12, 2012
at 2:26 pm
Brilliant! I chuckled!
By: Anonymous on June 11, 2012
at 8:44 pm
I am so glad I was here for the race. I’m sorry I will miss the next challenge in 2 weeks.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 12, 2012
at 2:27 pm
Definitely my sort of event, Debra, though I wouldn’t put any money on me to make a ‘podium finish’.
By: Richard Tulloch on June 12, 2012
at 7:48 am
It was all in good fun, as you can see.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 12, 2012
at 2:24 pm
Wow !, I guess my cousins were in the race too. Nice to see them having fun
By: Natalie Fornaciari on June 12, 2012
at 3:51 pm
Lots of men from the village were in the race. It was fun for everyone. The very good looking man with the tiny megaphone is Giustina’s son and the young man with the red hair is his son. I think they are your cousins.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 12, 2012
at 9:24 pm
Yes, they are my cousins Diego the red head came to visit me in California last year. Hope all is well if you see my aunt give her my regards. Thank you
By: Natalie Fornaciari on June 13, 2012
at 3:43 pm
[…] Click here for more on this exciting sporting event. […]
By: Road work for a reason | Bella Bagni di Lucca on April 27, 2015
at 10:19 am