Strade Bianche, clothing, weather, refreshments… the guide on how to tackle it

The Granfondo Strade Bianche will take place on 3 March 2024, one of the most prestigious events in the calendar of amateur cycling races. To face this competition, good training is not enough; weather and ground conditions play a crucial role. Here are some tips on how to best prepare.

CLOTHING

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The weather is a crazy variable. There have been editions in which summer was enough and others in which rain and cold reigned supreme. At the moment, it seems that Sunday is at high risk of water, with temperatures between 6 and 12 degrees. But it will be a good idea to continually update yourself on this aspect. The ideal is to start with breathable underwear to manage sweating, correctly regulating body temperature and then add a windproof garment as well as a light waterproof jacket to protect yourself from rain and bad weather. Make sure you bring waterproof gloves and shoe covers to keep your hands and feet dry.

SUITABLE TIRES

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The dirt and gravel roads can be treacherous, especially in case of rain which could characterize this edition according to the current weather forecast. For racing bikes, opt for a larger section than that usually used on the road but which takes into account the presence of mud to prevent it from obstructing the wheel passages. For gravel bikes, where the wheel clearances are more generous, you can push for even more generous coverage which also allows you to pedal at lower pressures, improving comfort and grip in the most difficult sections. Puncture-proof tires and inner tubes can be a safety choice for those who are not familiar with off-road terrain.

RELATIONSHIPS

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The Granfondo Strade Bianche features a series of climbs that are not particularly long but always challenging, alternating with flat and fast sections. It is advisable to use gears that allow you to tackle difficult climbs with ease without finding yourself exhausted before the finish line. Gravel bikes are particularly advantaged given the wide variety of gear ratios that can be installed, but with the new groupsets, road bikes are also equipped with a wide range of gears that easily approach the 1:1 ratio between crown and pinion.

DIRT ROADS AND CLIMBS

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The numbers of this race are important; 9 sectors of dirt roads for the granfondo which lead to approximately 42km of dirt road and 6 very respectable sectors for the medium distance with a total of approximately 22km. The climbs are also tough, several of which are common to both routes, such as the Bagnaia climb (second dirt sector and gradients of up to 15%), the Colle Pinzuto (eighth dirt sector and gradients of up to 15%) or the fearsome climb that leads to Le Tolfe (last sector dirt road and gradients up to 18%). These gaps lead to the granfondo having 2000m of positive altitude difference of which 1050m of dirt roads while the medium fund ends with 1350m of altitude difference of which 545m of dirt road.

DIET

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Eating properly during the race is essential to maintain energy and endurance. It is important to hydrate regularly, drinking small amounts of water every 15-20 minutes and to avoid trying new foods during the race to avoid running into unwanted problems. It should also be taken into consideration that, on average, during an hour of cycling, a person can burn around 400-700 calories, consuming 20-50g of sugar. It is essential to maintain a constant intake of calories to support physical effort, preferring snacks and energy supplements with a high carbohydrate content, eating every 50-60 minutes. To make things easier, there will be 3 refreshment points organized for the granfondo (respectively at km 33 before the Radi crossroads, at km 75 and 113 before rejoining the short route) and 2 for the medium cross-country (respectively at km 33 before of the crossroads and at km 55 before rejoining the long route).