I’m signed up for this event in about a month. Anyone done it? Anyone doing it in 2025?
For those with experience of the event or even just riding around Siena, I’m curious what tires you’d recommend. Course is something like 75/25 asphalt/gravel, and my impression is that the gravel is fairly mellow. I was considering some GP5000 AS TR tires in the 35mm size on wider rims, so about a 37mm slick tire that should roll well on pavement.
I’d also love to hear experiences of the event. With ~6500 riders I’m sure the first hour or so is total chaos. Any pointers on positioning or general survival tips? I’m not planning to really race it (I don’t think I could as I’ll be starting mid-pack) but hope to have a fun and strong ride and most importantly stay upright.
I did not do the GF but i spent a day riding a handful of the sectors in the fall of 2022. First, you’re going to absolutely love it; It’s bike nerd heaven and the gravel is as good as it looks. Second, i think you’ll be fine with anything over 34’s. I was on Tirreno Dry 38’s and that was fine. If i was going to do it again, i think 38s semi slicks would be good.
I did the GF in 2023 and I used 32mm Conti Gatorskins with tubes and sealant in the tubes on my Cannondale Systemsix. No punctures and was fine everywhere on the course
Best experience on a bike so far! 3 deg. C at the start and then slowly we were warmed with a nice Spring sunshine and temperatures around 12-15 deg. C. Riding on the crown of a hill (if that’s what it’s called in English) and to the left there’s a valley of green, to the right there’s a valley filled with vineyards and in front of you there’s a cloud of dust of 100’s of riders, riding towards a big, old, Italian farm house. Doesn’t get much more scenic than that.
The start was a bit hectic though, net downhill for the first 30-40’ or so I think so speeds were quite high and then you hit the first gravel section in a large group at speed, people flatting right away,…
Thanks for the info! I’m obviously really looking forward to it, and will then be bumming around Tuscany and Umbria for a couple weeks with a bike, so should be a very lovely time!
What’s the thinking behind the tubes and sealant? Just cause you can’t get tubeless gator skins?
I’m doing Paris roubaix so having to make these considerations
Well Gatorskins are virtually impossible to flat so that’s why I used them And indeed they aren’t tubeless compatible.
Except for my gravel bike, I use latex/TPU tubes on all of my bikes. I don’t “believe” in tubeless for road use and the tire pressures that go with it, and most people I know that went tubeless on the road, went back to also using latex/TPU inner tubes. I just used maXalami Wurstwasser in the inner tubes as a bit of extra insurance.
With all due respect I have to vehemently disagree with this take. I have no tubes in any bike (road, gravel or MTB) at this point. Rolling resistance gains, especially compared to Gatorskins (among the slowest tires you can buy) are a major positive, but more than that I’ve gotten many of punctures that were immediately plugged by sealant, which would certainly have required a tire change if I were running tubes. Very rarely I have to stick in a dynaplug, but that takes seconds and is incredibly easy. Just zero desire to go back to tubes.
Anyway! Thanks for the input on Strade, we’ll see how my tubeless GP5000s hold up!
Do cornering knobs matter on that surface ? My local path has ‘golf cart’ gravel, which always has a loose layer. I find the cornering knobs on something like the G-One RS are essential as something like the Allround won’t hold it’s line even if you’re well below the grip limit.
And indeed they aren’t tubeless compatible.