La Squadra member, Steve Rick and a group of friends after completing the Tour Des Grandes Alpes last year, are this year tackling the Raid Pyrenees. it covers 720 km and 1,400m of climbing over some of the most iconic cols including Col d’Aubisque, Col du Tormalet and Col d’Aspin, and there’s space on the team for a couple of extra riders.

The team is self-funded but gets it’s kit sponsored and is fully supported with a van and DS. Riding will start from Biarritz on the Atlantic coast on 1st September and arrive in Argeles on the Med on the 8th, flying back to the UK on 9th.

Budget is circa £800 including flights, meals and support.

Anyone interested call Steve Rick on 07769 330579 or mail him steve@thericks.net.

http://www.teamsky.com/article/0,27290,28850_8668798,00.html

But local boy Adam Blyth is in the

The images below show the short sleeve jersey and bib shorts, both of which are due to arrive from our European factory within the next 2 weeks. Bottles will be with us sooner. Dates for these arrivals will be confirmed as soon as we have guaranteed eta’s.

Our manufacturer makes for some of the professional peloton teams, and we’ve opted for their top-end ‘Pro Range’ which is a step above the previous kit in terms of quality and fabric performance.

We’ll be adding to the range with items such include arms warmers, leg warmers, neoprene over shoes and a gilet. Visuals for these additional items are coming soon!

Prices for the items available to order now are as follows (including our membership & kit ‘bundle’ which is available while stocks last).

Shipping is charged at £10 unless collecting from Nonnas, Ecclesall Road, Sheffield, S11.

£30 for La Squadra members. £35 for non-members.

Tickets are now available in the La Squadra shop

All riders must report to the Event HQ (location to be confirmed…somewhere within the S11 area of Sheffield) to sign on before the ride. The sign on desk opens at 7:30am, so please make sure you’ve done so between 7:30am and 8am.

Riders will be set off in 3 groups dependent on your anticipated average miles per hour speed. Please note the group details below and be ready to assemble at the start line when each group is called:

• Espresso – Riders who expect to average 18+mph or above throughout the 100km distance.
• Cappuccino – Riders who expect to average between 14mph and 18mph throughout the 100km distance.
• Latté – Riders who expect to average less than 14mph throughout the 100km distance.

We hope to start all riders off no later than 8:30am, with the last group leaving no later than 9am.

Please be conscious of other riders in your group. Although we appreciate it’s difficult to keep everyone together it would be good not to leave people alone on the course.

The 100km route is signed throughout with signs carrying the ‘La Squadra’ name and direction arrows.

The ride finish point will be announced soon, but what we can say now is one of our famous pasta parties will await all cyclists, their family & friends. Please take care when cycling the last few miles in to Sheffield as the roads can be busy.

All riders are required to ride with due care and attention during the event. Please respect other road users, this is not a closed road event and you will encounter traffic. Be patient, this is not a race and there are no rewards for finishing first. Do not put yourself or others at risk by careless riding. Ultimately, you are responsible for your riding.

The wearing of cycle helmets during this ride is compulsory. Please make sure that you bring a helmet to the ride. No helmet, no ride.

If you require emergency assistance whilst on the course please contact TBC. Please add this number to your mobile phone contacts. This numbers will not be operational before the ride.

A mid-way feed station will be set up where you’ll find water, energy powder and snacks to keep you going. More details regarding the location will be publicised once the route is ready for release.

£30 for La Squadra members. £35 for non-members.
Tickets are now available in the La Squadra shop

Rider brief:

• Riders under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult during the event.
• Each group of riders will receive a safety briefing before being set off at the start.
• The wearing of helmets (conforming to CE Standards EN1078) is mandatory for all riders. No helmet, no ride.
• All riders must ride in an orderly manner in accordance with Highway Code.
• RED means STOP. Do not take chances.
• This event is non-competitive, un-timed and there are no road closures.
• The route is fully signed with the ‘La Squadra’ arrows.
• Ride single file on climbs and A Roads to allow traffic flow.
• On single track roads ride single file and anticipate oncoming traffic.
• Be aware of potholes and loose gravel on roads throughout the route.
• Take care at cattle grids and consider dismounting.
• Keep a safe distance between you and the rider in front, especially on descents.
• Be patient when crossing junctions and cross in small groups.
• When turning right, always make your intentions clear to road users.
• Participants are responsible for the road worthiness of their bike.
• The mid-way feed station will be equipped with track pump, but no mechanic.
• You are advised to carry spare inner tubes and a small tool kit.
• Be prepared for adverse weather and wear/carry adequate clothing, and possibly lights.
• In hot, sunny conditions drink plenty of water and apply sun protection lotion.

IMPORTANT!

If you decide not to complete the ride and do not return to the finish you must contact the emergency contact number we’ll provide on the day so we know not to send the search party!

In the event that you or someone is involved in an accident that requires emergency services please contact the emergency contact number we’ll provide on the day and also emergency services.

We wish you a safe and enjoyable ride and look forward to presenting you with your goodie bag, bowl of pasta and beer token at the finish.

Don’t forget to sign in at the finish to confirm de-registration.

MORE INFORMATION ON ROUTE, GUEST RIDERS, ETC TO FOLLOW OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

We’re pleased to bring you another unique day of cycling culture, Giro d’Italia coverage and Peak District pedaling.

Here’s the low down…

Riders rendezvous at Nonnas, Chesterfield at 9:30am before heading out to the Peak District at 10:00am for a 65/70km circular route (route to be confirmed nearer the time).

We’ll be stopping half-way round for a coffee and to meet the Rapha H-Van, a fully functioning espresso bar serving hot and cold bevies, which will be in our neck of the woods in support of their ‘Womens 100’ training ride to coincide with www.cyclofemme.com.

Back at Nonnas, Chesterfield we’ll host a big pasta party (the Rapha ladies will be finishing back there too), and screening sage 9 of the Giro d’Italia, which this year finishes in the mountains at Firenze.

The ride and pasta party is free to La Squadra members (May 2013 onwards), and for everyone else it’s £10 per person (includes pasta on return from the ride). Payment accepted on arrival at Nonnas on the morning of the 12^th May. So, if you didn’t join up during our Call to Arms event now’s the time to do it and grab your free place at this Giro day!

Anyone interested in coming will need to RSVP beforehand to nick.cotton@lasquadra.co.uk.

if you haven’t already signed up for La Squadra membership please email gian@nonnas.co.uk prior to May 12th to benefit from this freebie event . Membership is £25 and runs for 12 months from May 1st 2013.

The sun is booked, of course.

This will be our first series of club rides which start and finish in Chesterfield. Lead by one of our latest Ambassador’s, Neil from Pelican Cycles will select a weekly route of between 35/40 miles. Pace will be varied although if numbers warrant it there’ll be a couple of groups – one approx 13mph average with the other higher.

The ride itself will set off from Pelican Cycles at 6:15pm sharp, but we’d encourage any La Squadra members to drop in to Nonnas, Chesterfield branch for a gratis caffeine shot beforehand. Don’t forget you’ll need to be in club kit and wave your new membership card for coffee on the casa.

These rides will run weekly so all you need to do is roll up to Neil’s shop in time for the 6:15pm set off. Directions to Pelican Cycles can be found here.

Happy riding!