Farewell

[Simon C Izoard]

Just to let you guys know that I'm leaving the country as of 29th Nov, heading towards Cunego country, Verona to live and work indefinitely. I like to set myself new challenges, but may have bitten off more than I can chew....il passo del Stelvio should be read as St.evil.o!

Would like to thank all the agreeables that made me feel welcome on the CR and beyond, Monty, Huw, Ian and Jo for my inaugural ride, Ajay, Marek, Toks and Simon H for racing , and all those who listened to me whitter on mindlessly every saturday morning

Had a good 05 on the bike thanks

hopefully catch you on the next couple of CRs or at the ACC dinner.

maybe see some of you for any continental rides in 06!

Enjoy

Simon

[Gavin]

Best of luck with Italia should be incredible and hopefully you can come back for one race next year and show us how good you are!

Cheers

G

[Ian A4size]

hopefully you will have the right clothes
I have been very envious of your improvement over the last few months, hope you do well in the new job and on your bike, see you at the dinner-you are too fast for me

[sylv]

Ciao and good luck!

This might come in handy ...

[img]http://www.education2000i.com/neimages/2-2130.jpg[/img]

[sylv]

And this

http://badabing.cheeb.com/italian.html

[img]http://badabing.cheeb.com/paisan.jpg[/img]

[Toks]

Dude its been a pleasure!! hopefully even when you've left these shore's we'll get to see you occassionally. In fact hurry up and go and get yourself set up quickly because I'm inviting myself over to stay in the spring

[Maria David]

Enjoy Verona - Don't forget, when you go to Juliet's house, to touch her breast for good luck !

Hope you make the most of the riding around those parts, and don't get too disheartened if the locals give you a caning up the Passo Stelvio - you'll be flying by summer !

Let us know if you are doing any Gran Fondo events - some of us may join you - then you can show us how it's done.

All the Best,

Maria

[Kevin Rynne]

All the best. Hope to catch up with you before you leave. (not sure I'm fast enough at the moment though!) See you on Saturday?

[siwickm]

Good luck out there. Man you are going to kick our butts if you come back to visit after training out there. Keep in touch I have a few weeks spare in the summer and am looking for somewhere to take the extended family, hope you have lots of room

Cheers

Marek....

[Jim B]

Simon,
Enjoyed riding with you lately, especially on the climbs.
You'll have a great time in Italy - the women are super classy, just watch out for their big brothers.
No doubt you'll fit in well over there - you might even start a new trend with your leg warmers!!!!!!
Have fun, not a bit jealous (grrrr.)
Jim (Yellow litespeed)

[Simon C Izoard]

Not the reason at all!!!!

Thanks for the kind words

would be good to see some of you out there, invited or not!

had a great few weeks saying goodbyes, too much excess, can't even get up wimbledon hill properly now, and sat cr really hurt, but was necessary....primed me well for the evenings alcohol intake, again excessive and managed to lose an instant camera with a few photos i'd been collecting, gutted really... but if anyone could pass on a couple of group shots at CSS or the cafe would be most appreciated for the album.

right well, as Kevin requested I'll keep you informed hopefully with some interesting forum posts.

Unfortunately first navigation of the Alps will be on four wheels wednesday morning, arrrghh

Take it easy

Simon

[sylv]

Safe drive, mind the gendarmes !

[img]http://www.gign.org/images/divers/p-le-gendarme-accueil.jpg[/img]

[Simon C Izoard]

Hey Hey,

Made it! Drive was long and safe thanks, the golf was fully laiden but still pulled 100mph easily!

Have been here almost two weeks now, ups downs with feelings, stability etc work routine coming along and flat hunting has kept me busy, looking for a good gym too...
Amazing how similar somethings are, yet strange.

Anyway, met an Italian dillentante on his mtb, rode about 100ks in the freezing cold (especailly descents), wind chill is ridiculous here too, but you have to keep riding fast to keep warm.

Never seen anyone descend on a mtb so fast and effortlessly (no hands at times) very scarey

Have made a few excursions to explore the region, its all true, its very hilly/ mountainous....you can climb and climb until your sick on the other hand the ride to lake garda is fairly flat (relatively), amazing views, will post photos when I get a chance (internet cafes are becoming a chore)

Lots of riders, mostly small groups, all dressed with outrageous kit, very colourful, synonamous with the people in the town centre showing off there fur coats etc

Hopefully will be doing some long weekend rides with these guys, but spinning it during the week.


Post more later

Hope all is well

Ciao Ciao