Goldilocks Gran Fondo ! Strade Bianche Fusing Road, Gravel, Speed & Exhilaration + Power Data

This year I said to myself there's no need to keep looking for the new best thing, or a bigger better challenge. Just enjoy some of the events, activities and races you know you've loved in the past... so it was a 'no brainer' to sign back up for one of Europe's premier amateur events, Gran Fondo Strade Bianche. Providing afficionado's a unique and exhilarating experience providing THE perfect fusion of punchy terrain, gravel, tarmac and speed ! The not too short and not too long, the Goldilocks Granfondo for sure!
This video is different to my previous Strade Bianche Video, which had many camera angles and demonstrated the beauty of the event. This one focuses on the rider perspective with full power overlay, so you can see where I pushed hard and where I conserved a little energy for a decent time.
As always Andiamo Cycling arranged a perfect 4 days, and I would also highlight that this is not a paid promotion, I pay full price and highly recommend them for this event and many others. Their website link is below.
www.andiamocycling.com
www.gardabikehotel.com
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Thanks ever so much for all of your support! And whoever you are, what ever your do, please remember to LIVE THRIVE AND STAY HEALTHY !
Follow my journey
Instagram: / bikeracingwithoutmercy
Strava: / strava
00:00 Introduction on the Start Line
00:47 Descent into Chaos !
03:47 1st Gravel Sector - Flowing
05:28 2nd Gravel Sector - Rapid
06:23 Chaos on 1st Climb !
11:23 Beauty, Speed & Strappatos
13:28 3rd Sector: Elevate then Accelerate
15:44 Rapid descent into 4-6th Sectors
17:38 STEELING Watts
19:00 7th Sector - STEEP STEEP STEEP
21:26 8th - The Koppenberg in Italia
23:22 9th - Gravel Finale - STEEPER STILL
25:26 Ascent into Siena: Fontebranda San Caterina
27:38 Finish Line, Medals & Peroni

[@ChrisMillerCycling]

Great Video Phil! Loving the mix of in ride and post ride commentary. Super jealous of all these great events you are getting to, maybe in 2025 I’ll get over there.

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Cheers Chris ! 🙏. That means a huge amount coming from you, Sir ! And for sure, you’d love some of these closed road events in Europe - and would be a force to be reckoned with. There a great classic GF season from March - April , alternatively you could target eg La Marmotte and the following week Maratona - or 7 stage Haute Route Alpes …. Likely leave the one by in Aus ! Loving your own event videos and of course Nero - which accounts for pretty much all my cycling knowledge !

[@glennicol1361]

It really puts into prospective how fast the pro riders really are! Nice event!

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

It really does - often as I was slogging up the steep stuff, images of the pros literally smashing up these climbs came to mind . On another planet 💯🚀

[@Miekzz]

Chuckled at the Silvio B references - looks like an amazing event

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Thanks Mieke 🙏🙏 - and for sure a truly sensational, adrenaline fuelled, beautiful, chaotic event ! Silvio gave it his stamp of approval 🤣

[@irondistance4313]

Love the way you capture the scenery, the color cometary and the mini races with in the Fondo thanks Phil you bad @ss Manuel 😂

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Cheers Manuel 🙏🙏 - that’s really generous encouragement, Sir !! Massively appreciated -and helped by the sublime Tuscan vistas and the madness of any Italian cycling event 😅

[@christopherwatts1742]

Another fantastic Grand Fondo vlog Phil.. “well done signore”

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Mille Grazie Chris 🙏🙏 - really appreciate you checking out the vid as always . Ciao Sir !

[@nickbrownbill3413]

Excellent content Phill, looked like a wonderful and truly chaotic event. Congratulations on the great time!

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

The very finest Italian Chaos, Nick - unparalleled, mesmerising, stupefying, beautiful, unadulterated CHAOS 🇮🇹💪

[@fastbreakmarketing7788]

Ciclismo italiano e bellissimo 🤩

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

The most beautiful cycling and madness there is in this world ! Adore 🇮🇹 🤩

[@AtakanCOBAN54]

Congratulations Philip. Excellent mate, the roads and views are very beautiful. Ride on buddy. #bikeracingwithoutmercy

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Cheers Atakan 🙏🙏. And congratulations on your rapid rapid running pacing at present - looking super super strong sir 💪💪

[@PeterMcMullan01]

01:45 Wow, I need to learn how to bunny hop!

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

🤣 Peter - agreed - that was some skills

[@RideWithGerben]

Man, that start was like a Zwift race :) Also at 25:18 that was a lot of walkers. Very strong ride Phil, didn't know these climbs where that! steep.

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

It is indeed the original Zwift Race start Gerben 💯😅. And for sure the TV doesn’t do justice to just how steep and unrelenting the course is - really incredible the speeds Pidcock and Poggy ride at 🚀

[@jackowens_]

Nice one Phill - enjoyable watch, and well done!

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Cheers Jack 🙏 - really pleased it was a decent watch, coz was a little longer than planned 😅

[@mamilmick]

Excellent 👍🏻

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Cheers MAMIL Nick 🙏 from MAMIL Phill !

[@rich_valets9937]

Great vid Phil 😎👌🏼….. look fwd to seeing you cover “The Fred” 👍🏼 good luck!!

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Thanks Rich 🙏 - that’s hugely appreciated Sir ! And for sure - looking forward to the Fred and making the finishing touches to my fitness 🤞

[@bobjunior5567]

Nice video and great to have spent the 4 days together from the pickup in Firenze to the pre rides and meals. Hope to see you again soon! Cheers, Mario.

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Cheers Mario 🙏🙏 - love your KZbin name ! Was really good to spend an incredible 4 days with you . And see you soon at another Andiamo cycling event

[@bobjunior5567]

@@BikeRacingWithoutMercy I'm already looking forward to that. However, it is not going to be before next year. What plans do you have coming up for the Andiamo Cycling?

[@leedixon2113]

Amazing video Phill, thanks as always for taking us along. What a fantastic ride, well done, really jealous 👌

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Pleasure Lee - and thanks as always for your support and encouragement. It’s a truly wonderful event - in a sublime part of the world . One for your bucket list 💯

[@sillypuddystl2907]

Fantastic job. All the work you’ve does paying off. Cheers!!

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Cheers Silly Puddy 🙏 - you’re too too kind 💯

[@wattgehtab.]

Congrats Phil! Was great to briefly chat at the finish at 28:13. Keep up the great channel. André

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

So pleased you saw this, Andre - was lovely to meet you, as we were ushered through ! Plus congratulations for completing the event with a great time 💪🚀

[@user-jo7cm4hf2j]

Fantastic ride Phil, well done!!👍

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Cheers Larry 🙏 - that’s massively appreciated Sir !

[@b2theb]

fantastico

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Mille Grazie B tooooooo the B 🙏

[@sevelo321]

Nice work! No Davide pacing you this year? What was the ratio of gravel/tarmac? Looks like 30mm would have been the optimal tire width? What was your Ekar chainring and cassette set up?

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Cheers Steve - very kind of you 🙏. I was riding c40mm tyres with a one bye gravel set up. No idea about the exact specifications - save it was Campagnolo . I’d estimate about 35% Gravel and 65% Tarmac. The faster riders had their standard road bikes with 28-30mm tyres and most had a standard groupset. Issue is punctures - there are a lot. We saw the pro mechanics for a couple of teams setting up the night before their race - they were running 28-30mm and some were using inner tubes

[@glennicol1361]

Have you done the Roubaix one?

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Hi Glenn - only The Tour of Flanders Sportive - where the cobbles were unreal . The Koppenburg looks ok on TV - trust me … it’s proper proper tough … super steep 400m and large slippery cobbles - still one of my best climbs .. And as for the descents on cobbles - that’s literally hell 😅. So when folk tell me that the Rouxbais cobbles are much harder - I have decided I won’t risk it 🥵

[@1carusjohn32]

OK, so I am looking for the riders names and position table that should be on the left hand side!!

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

🤣 & 💯 John - literally one and the same !

[@foundfoundfound1]

if your mosaic could fit 30-32mm tyres it would be ideal for this sort of thing.

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

100% FFF - and indeed there were quite a few titanium machines on the Fondo. Still haven’t ridden it - coz I’m not sure I can justify the 3rd bike …

[@Spikey_Mikey]

0:36 did that gel have helium in it 😂

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

🤣 Michael ! But for sure I loved the 150mg and the espresso taste of the SIS caffeine gels - they make you fly 🚀. I had one at the start and one in the middle . But of equal potency is the SIS Beta Fuel Gels - each with 40g carbs - serious energy boost

[@stevenfreeman7798]

Brilliant vid but that event looked bloody awful far to many people!!!

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Cheers Steven 🙏 - that’s massively appreciated Sir ! And yep 7000 riders across the Gran Fondo, Medio Fondo and another distance - all released at the same time for max max max, beautiful and somehow addictive Chaos !!

[@stevenfreeman7798]

​@BikeRacingWithoutMercy you sir are a hero lol!

[@fucktheworld1207]

You at it again, Mr Blighty 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 mountain 🐐 😉 ...and were you hinting at him being a dodgy politican 😉🤪😉

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

🤣🤣cheers FTW ! Yep - back once again to pretend on the Fondos and Sportives ! Silvio is an esteemed friend of the channel … promise 😅