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.
