Today, Saturday, in Valkenburg Holland, maybe the largest cyclo-sportif event associated with any European Classic, the Amstel Gold Cylcosportif will be run, after covid put a stop to that mass event last year. The Pez was lucky enough to join the 18,000 plus throng back in 2007, and it was quite a day.

Spring has hit Belgium and there is a pull towards that small north European country for all lovers of bike racing. Ed Hood has barrels full of the Belgian 'race chase' experience, and shares his keen observance of what makes Belgian cycling culture unique, and impossible to resist.

SanRemo PREVIEW: My original theme for this story was "what makes this great race so great", written on the eve of my first trip to San Remo to view La Primavera live. It was a spiritual journey, and this report was my humble attempt to put that into pictures and words.

The Trofeo Laigueglia (say Lay-ee-Gway-lia) sits quietly a few weeks ahead of Milan-SanRemo on the Italian race calendar, but is an important season opener for Italian & French riders to test out early season legs in the hills along the Ligurian Coast. Swiss writer Alain Rumpf spent the weekend in '23, and soaked up some rain, the race, and then a top ride - a great way to shake off winter.

VIDEO: After years of hearing how good this ride is, I finally got the chance to cycle the Maratona dles Dolomiti in Corvara, Italy. It's a climbers' gran fondo, and I opted for the 106km medio route - with 6 climbs and 3000+ m of elevation, and recorded my day from start to finish. If you've ever wondered what it's like to ride, this video will give you an idea.

VIDEO: The Civiglio Climb in Como is often the launch pad for race winning moves at the Giro di Lombardia, and after years of just watching, I finally rode it to see for myself how technical and steep this one is.

With another Worlds under his belt and an afternoon off before flying home, Ed Hood had time to be a tourist in the lovely town of Florence to experience all that the town has to offer - in a biking sort of way.

TRAVEL: The 2023 Tour de France visits the southwest wine region of France with a stage 7 finish in the city of Bordeaux and a stage 8 start nearby in Libourne. Combining a stay in a nearby castle, riding the local roads and getting up close to Le Tour makes for a solid holiday combo - so I talked with Allan Reeves of France From Inside vacations about how to feel like royalty and see The Tour at his family's chateau.

As the Presidentessa of Lucca Cycling Club and having lived la vita Lucca for over a decade, allow me to take you on a day-long tour of the old Renaissance town I’ve come to love.