Tuesday, May 31, 2011

DISABILITY IS NOT A CRIME

Wheel less in Sestriere i arrived at the Lago L Hotel last saturday and saw in the foyer a sign for the 2011 para event in Sestriere with this message !

Over the years i have passed this "Bon Mot" to many people :

  Disability is not a Word , It is not a sentence , IT IS A CHALLENGING WAY OF LIFE !

 Sometimes i add "Don't join by accident "!

 

  January past brought many Para Athletes to the Ski Championships in Sestriere . The Hotel was specifically built incorporating all the facilities required by "wheelchair bound" and other "disabled people". Should you be aware of others please advise because it is time more facilities are "Disabled User Friendly" !

 

 


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Monday, May 30, 2011

RIPPED OFF

Nobody likes being ripped off , but it happens! After visiting Bruno , my mate in Cloz on the way home from the Giro Trentino i noticed my Car's temperature was moving up so stopped , and saw the Oil Dipstick was a little low , so stopped at the Repsol Filling station to buy a Litre of Oil !

"Basket "charged me Euro15 for the litre and E10 for the petrol , i got a receipt and said nothing since i would find out from Bruno if he knew this guy . Today Bruno told me the history of this Wanker . Seems the Grandfather immigrated to the USA but at 20yo the son returned to Italy and now his son runs this Repsol Service Station .

Bruno was of course furious as 2 litres of Oil costs Euro 8 at the Supermarket !  I suggested that he tell the guy that on giving The "Italian Disabled Ski Team" a donation of Euro25 i will take down this post . To make sure everything was correct i called in at the Service station and found that the guy has a computer and showed him this Blog . Told him to refresh the page at 1800hrs today to see this report !

OK i am running a little late , BUT here is the thing that counts , he told me that he can charge what he likes AND if I and Bruno don't like this , to BUY ELSEWHERE !  Bruno has no computer but another customer who is an Organic Farmer does , and speaks English as he has clients from All Over the world and so acted as an interpreter . SO the service station operator has no excuses for any "misunderstandings"!

Give the "Italian Disabled Ski Team" Euro25 and i will remove the post BUT refuse and YOUR neighbours and all the world will KNOW how they are being OVERCHARGED for their Engine Oil ! You confirmed to Luis ( organic farmer ) that the Oil Container came from you and that YOU CHARGE 15 euros for a litre of car oil , SO NO EXCUSES !  This report is also going on the "Friends of Italian Disabled Skiers" Facebook site !

 

 


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Saturday, May 28, 2011

WHEEL Less in Sestriere

Murphy has been busy today !

Arrived in Pinerolo to ride the last part of the day's etappe to find the front wheel is still outside the appartment in Torino . Asked Ricardo if he had a lock for his new bike as thieves will be about today and advised him to always keep the bike in front of him for safety and I go and leave the front wheel on the street , long gone by now even if someone could have found it two minutes after our departure .

Since Ricardo was with friends i have left them to continue the day and hitched with two rides into Sestriere where i hope to connect with someone able to lend ua wheel of any sort until tomorrow in Milan .

SIDI shoes are so comfortable i hardly know they are there , thanks to my friends at SIDI even if i spend the day afoot i will be OK .

Spotted Jack the Aussie with the black Volvo estate parked up in ther last two km so may go chat with him to pass the time . The climb to Sestriere i did on the Wednesday before the start of the Giro but have also done it many times whilst at the 2006 Olympic & Paralympic to stay fit as Skiing for me is so easy and provides such little exercise .

Amused to bump into that Tour Operator that i found watching TV last saturday , seems they stayed in the luxury hotel here , must have made a killing to be able to pay the freight . Wanted to know why i was only carrying one wheel but i guess they read the blog and don't carry wheels for their guests .

Lousy timing really as i sent the spare wheels home tuesday since i have had no punctures with the Conti tyres and thought they would be redundant for this week as there is more than enough thread left to see out the Giro . Great tyres , great wear and little maintainance required .

Why was i in Torino you may ask ? Fact is since meeting Ricardo in 2005 on the ride from Sestriere to Torino , we have had little chance to ride together even though he has given me accomodation on so many occasions . Thought this was a great day to catch up . but as i said Murphy's law applies .

Using the Sports shop computer since they only use mountain bikes here . Thanks guys !


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Friday, May 27, 2011

Untitled

Next week fast approaching and then the news will flow


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Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Serendipidy or What

D.G. of Giro provided my lunch today ! Passing me a km earler on the Passo Tonale his car pulled over for their picnic lunch , only thing missing was the wine . Tuesday night the Major of Belluno told me that i was "not riding the route of the Giro " according to the RCS sources ! Riding the Tonale today demonstrated to the contrary . Reminded me of that prat of a press officer with the TDS who said i spent all my time eating in the Press room at the Giro and then refused me accreditation at the TDS and spent a good hour on the Saturday sitting in his merc as i pedalledc up the HC climb that day ! Ok i am not riding as fast as i would like since i am on the Meds from the Feb reoccurence of the Embulisms BUT i am riding and not sitting in a car like others that i come across ! Heardf that the Bloke with the tin can on wheels with the dutch plate has been poising the well . Seems he can turn a pedal for a few metres , pity he hasn't the guts to put his mouth on the line . More follows including Visconti getting disqualified !


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Monday, May 23, 2011

Belluno ! Rest day?

Posted today's action and rendevous's on the ITT !


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Saturday, May 14, 2011

DEALS made to WIN !

Found this item whist trawling the internet , grab a drink and devote an hour or so to this eye opener ,
http://www.podiumcafe.com/2011/5/11/2162334/VueltaAEspana1985

Let me know what you think !
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