In March of 2004, 12 riders from Liberty Cycle came together in Loppiano, Italy for an intensive two-week training camp lead by shop owner/team coach, Greg Cordasco.
Jonathan Anderson, Jon Bertolini, Tim Conway, Dan Fresolone, Charlton Hoag, Cameron Hurst, Curt Hurst, Chris Chesebro, and Paul Montemurno each made the journey from the states to join Cordasco in logging some serious miles through the Italian countryside. Longtime Liberty team member Peter Nielsen also drove down from his current home in Denmark, and Alex Greuter reunited with the team from his home in Switzerland.
The group was able to benefit from several contacts that Cordasco had made on previous trips to Loppiano, and it seemed that there was a friend at every turn to help them effectively train and get a wonderful taste of the Italian lifestyle. Savario, whom Cordasco had met on a ride a few years back, was the group's main liaison. He even generously took 2 weeks away from his work at The Italian bar to show them the popular training routes.
After breakfast each day, the team suited up, mounted their bikes, and began the long descent into town where several locals awaited their arrival. The group often started their rides in the center of town at either the Pella Bar or Tito's Bar, where a crowd wished them luck on the day's ride. They would then head off for an average of four hours in the saddle, sometimes climbing for so long that descending alone took 15 minutes.
Aside from the long training miles, each day brought many opportunities to eat fine food, take in some breathtaking sights, tour famous towns, and even eat lunch in the backyard of a new friend overlooking the beautiful Italian landscape. It all adds up to a fun and productive trip that the riders will not soon forget.
