Pasta Bolognaise & Beachside story

After the disneyworld experience of Rome, Friday night found us finally all together in Bologna, a city of towers, students, music and great vibes. Peter & Co arrived from Oz and Thailand, Raph and Eve from Switzerland, and the rest of us from Rome. The city planner conveniently located a great cafe at the great square (Piazza Magiore) where we met for coffees, wine and beers, and after a while continued to a local eatery to try a familiar dish- spaghetti bolognaise-what else.

Since we didn't book we had to eat and run, made it just in time... and a chance to catch up on news and updates. Peter, Marco & John, still on hype and jet leg, managed to skate out of town earlier in the day in search of a "bike helmet for John..." an original excuse even for this lot... but anyhow by the time dinner was over most have had enough excitement for one day and headed to the hotels. We (Inna & Me) decided to do a little tour dela' place and ended up in a late night open air jazz concert, complete with great crowds and an aspiring stripper whoes ambitions were cut short (with much protest from the crowds) by the organisers, who informed everyone- or so we understood- that this was not part of the program.

Saturday morning we took the train to Cesenatico- location of the first race, a seaside resort with a pretty boat harbour, good lasagna at mama's cafe, and little clue where the race is to take place. Eventually, after a lovely tour of the town and few false attempts at locating the event, we made it to the registration centre to discover they were in fact expecting us- a relief since we were unable to register online and were not sure we will be able to participate, but apparently- the knew all about the Australian team coming- fantastico.

We completed registration and got show bags with our race numbers, drinks,and strange bottles that look like nasal decongestant spray dispensers- full of what looked suspiciously like a type of powder some folks put up their nose... but were told these were energy boosters 'sugar hits'- yeah, whatever- we decided against experimenting pre race.

The biggest pre race challenge proved to be finding safety pins to attach our numbers to the suits- or be unable to participate. No one had any- and we somehow missed that crucial bit of information about the need to BYO pins... but we managed to find some and line up for the starting gun.

Start was scheduled for 3pm, and we started as planned on Italian time (at 4.30) to confront the speciality of Cesenatico- the worst ever racing surface any of us - and apparently the locals had similar views- ever encountered. Holes, ruts, gutters, cracks and deep grooves, and occasional decent surface added to the excitement of the race.



Pace was fast, with the top racers (incl Peter and Marco) managing great pace despite the added challenges. We managed not to crash ( some did and needed ambulance transport- the track was merciless) despite the fact that as if the surface was not enough, some of the locals missed the fact that a race was under way and decided to reverse cars or ride bikes just across the path of the oncoming pack- some close calls were observed...


Managed to finish in good pace and a new appreciation of the sensation of full on 'bone shakin' ride. The non mobile locals seated along the race course proved great supporters and cheered us on, while police on motorcycles buzzed past us ahead of the ambulances collecting those who decided on a more intimate knowledge of the road- face first.
We all wore a timing chip supplied by the organisers, and were told results will be sent to us via sms in a day or so.
We wait.
We wait some more.
We'll let you know, when we do.

All in all, a fantastic afternoon full of colours, the event DJ dishing out thumping music at a suitable volume to change the plans anyone contemplating a peaceful Saturday arvo, great fun and a chance to meet the local skaters.
All announcement were in Italians so we assumed we missed some of the information, but the experience was a very positive one no doubt.
As we had to catch a train back to Bologna, some 2 hours plus away, we could not stay for the post race party or collective sugar tube snorting festival, but compensated with a break in the return journey for some great pasta, wine, and salads before catching the connecting train back, arriving tired and somewhat sore in Bologna around 10.30 at night. It's been a long day, no jazz concert tonight.

On Sunday , after a leisurely start start to the day, we toured the town- as you would- and discovered how even more fascinating Bologna is. The old city, the lanes, the art and especially the music- a dynamic place with a very relaxed pace as contradictory as this might sound. My attempt to get online at an Internet cafe required a stricter security check, or so it felt, and more ID provisions than anything seen in the latest BOURNE trilogy- and after gaining the appropriate clearance I was granted access to the hottest room on the planet ( or thereabouts) to try and type a posting while sweating profusely- a short lived attempt before the need to catch the train to Milan saved me, but delayed the blog updates. I apologise.

We arrived early evening in Milan and had a great walk around the DUOMO- an amazing and incredibly beautiful place. We all agreed the stay was too short- but Paris was calling the next day, ande the need to catch an early train sent most to the hotel. We stayed a bit later, and located the best Gelati outlet ever- serving that lasted our en tier late night walk around the castle , an open air movie, and a return just before midnight to the hotel. Man, they were Huge!

Sometimes around 4Am Milan started the thunder and lights show, and rain we could only dream of in Oz. It rained, and than some more, and than some, stopping just in time for us to make it to the train station to catch our train to Paris- a whole day journey on the TGV- them faaaaaaast trains. We boarded armed with great pannini sandwiches, drinks and fruit, knowing full well great coffee will be available on board- like everywhere in Italy.

It was a short stay, a great race, and a good start to the tour.
Next stop: France
Next race: Saint Cheron on the 23rd
Last night in Paris- Rain, no skating
This Monday morning- cold and windy- time for touristy things.

postscript: We were all saddened to hear about Igor's mother passing away. We send Igor and his family our condolences, and big hug from all of us.