Disability is not to be taken lightly ! Trentino, Romandie and now Giro d'Italia are poorly attended by those using wheelchairs ! FACT is i look around at these events and when i spot a wheelchair user i try to have a chat with them to discover the local sports facilities available to them . 9 out of 10 times the wheelchair person will take the time to speak with me and relate a little of their experiences . Many a time they have difficulty expressing fluently and apologise for a lack of words . Contrast this with "normal people" in fact the general public in these countries who straight out give you the "non comprende" but will accomodate a pigeon version of their language and then break in later displaying their superiority in english when someone else makes the effort to relay information to you .
OK a lot of the fault lies with me since at 65yo i should have learnt all these languages when i was mixing with these nationalities whilst living in Oz . First serious girl friend was Polish and visited the home frequently so used common courtesy words whilst there , also had german , french and italian companions at various times with the same effort in their family homes . No idea then i would find myself in later years swanning around Europe on the bike and in need of the ability to carry a conversation past simple courtesies . Shame on me for the lack of effort to relearn these languages in more depth whilst riding around in recent years .
Brain dead as far as learning languages but still able to see that these events simply do not cater for "Disability" ! OK i saw the occasional older person in a wheelchair being pushed around the ITT at the Romandie and perhaps they were formerly a sports oriented person . Occasionally a parent will bring their child who has no interest in the event and are physically unable to participate / compete in any sport . 15% of population give or take statistically are "Handicapped" in some form whether physically or mentally so why is this segment of the population being ignored?
Can it be that the "Sponsors" simply do not care ? President Chirac proclaimed 2003 the "European Year of the Disabled" but since then my impression is that the numbers i see at these events have declined . Even Paralympic Gold Medalists have told me they have no interest in visiting the route of the Giro d 'Italia as it passes in their home town , amazed me but who knows the behind the scenes stories ? Perhaps reading this blog post will motivate them to let me know the story . Have asked many to contribute a post that i can publish here but as yet have had no takers .
Today drove parts of the route from Regio to Rapallo as i looked for places to ride my bike and whilst doing so was on the lookout for internet points to do a blog . Finally gave up after passing the "Passo de Boco" . The racers climb is smooth sailing but the descent is a nightmare of twists and curves and there is no way that i will return there on the bike so will take the easy option of riding around the last sections whilst awaiting the racers arrival .
Looking at the TV footage i can see a little in Cav's protest and had it been other than an Italian i think Petacci like Steels would have suffered for "interferance" although you have to look hard at the replays to be convinced . Some will say that Cav left his acceleration too late but he was travelling faster as he arrived at the line and this is not the first time that this has happened to him !
Currently in the "Citta di Lavagna" where the municipi has helped me with facilities so as to post this blog entry .
YOU TOO CAN ASSIST " ADAPTIVE / PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED SPORT"!!..... THIS BLOG REMINISING ON PLACES AND PEOPLE VISITED OVER 24 YEARS OF PEDALING "PRO TOUR " RACE ROUTES". SIT BACK AND ENJOY THE VISIT . Note that i ride alone and unassisted ! I represent NOBODY and my views in relation to " Para Sport " are personal BUT what others do is their OWN affair ! I encourage ALL to help their National Paralympic Org. assisting those living in their area with dreams of Sporting Achievement .
May 9, 2011
May 5, 2011
Richie Porte
Caught up with the Saxo Aussie this morning at the hotel west of Torino . An Italian shot photos of me with Alberto & Richie but has not emailed them as yet .
Richie was surprised to hear of the new tanman article on SBS so no doubt will read it this arvo .
Alberto has pink flashes on his shoes so we will see how often he dons the "Maglia Rose" in the next weeks .
On the way back to Torino i visited with Phillipe Brunel of L'Equipe and since he was drinking Coke whilst his driver was on beer it seems to me he has a few things to relate that requires a clear head this arvo .
Richie was surprised to hear of the new tanman article on SBS so no doubt will read it this arvo .
Alberto has pink flashes on his shoes so we will see how often he dons the "Maglia Rose" in the next weeks .
On the way back to Torino i visited with Phillipe Brunel of L'Equipe and since he was drinking Coke whilst his driver was on beer it seems to me he has a few things to relate that requires a clear head this arvo .
May 4, 2011
Arrival in Torino !
Giro d'Italia has brought me to Torino ! Follow my stories the next weeks on www.tourdafrance.blogspot.com . Starting with an interview with Sergio the Major of Torino there could be an entertaining time as i ride my 13th Giro .
Torino for Giro d'Italia
Not quite "old home week" but being greeted by the Major of Torino was a great start ! Sergio was kind to me when i was a Volunteer with the 2006 Winter Olympics and Paralympics so my first port of call after parking the car was his office . With all the celebrations taking place this weekend i knew that getting to see him would be an honour that few could count on especially at short notice . My luck was in as i arrived at the security office and found a guard who spoke really good English and knew the correct procedures . Franco even arranged safe keeping for the bike whilst all this was taking place and once the Secretary was contacted i was amazed at the speed that i found myself in Sergio's office .
Sergio i am reliably advised could become the President of Italy one day since he has done such a good job in this office . Should that happen i would hope that i am home in Oz when he arrives on a State visit . Kevin Rudd would enjoy meeting him if he has not already done this and i am sure Sergio would enjoy meeting Julia Gillard . Seems like only days since i last spoke with him in Casa Italia at the time of the Games . Ever the gentleman he made me welcome and recalled my hosts at that time although was not aware that they now have two children . Earlier posts to Parrabuddy recall the meeting with Ricardo and my adventures at Torino 2006 . Suffice to say that Giovanna has already welcomed me into their home and later tonight i will find myself installed in the appartment i stayed in as their Guest .
Tour de Romandie is described in "TourdaFrance.blogspot" which you can visit from this link . Sunday night i stayed in Annecy YHA where "Moose" now works having transferred from Seez by Bourg St Maurice YHA . Another enjoyable reunion as it saved me the travel there and the temptation to ride to Col d'Iserain which i am told is still not open for transit .
Monday i went in search of Pascal and Annie since they have moved and their Mobile was out of order . The favourite watering hole told me there was a possibility to see them there about lunch time so took a ride around the local area to pass the time . No luck so headed south to Les2Alpes where Luca whom i first met on the 1999 Giro d'Italia has his Ski School . Staying overnight i was able to see some amazing "Extreme Ski Adventure" shots . Sara runs their travel section and oversees a large number of rental appartments thus making sure that guests return the following winter season with the certainty that all their needs are well catered for and the number of Summer visitors are on the rise as a result of their efforts .
Tuesday after departure i dropped down to the barrage and then rode up the climb to the Ski Station and found them heading down to Bourg Oisans with Max following them on his way to Milano and thence Brisbane . Max is a Ski Trainer who works both Oz and Europe and is responsible for discovering Zalli Steggles and setting her on the way to Olympic and World Ski Tour Fame . These days he has a home near 1770 in Queensland and tells me that they also suffered during the flooding at the beginning of the year .
Dropping back down to the barrage i crossed to the opposite bank and rode up to the Col Sarren as i planned to ride through to Alp d'Huez but the weather closed in and as it started raining i could hear thunder approaching . Having a rain jacket makes for riding in the normal roads but high in the Alps it is a safer option to call it quits and head for the barn . The road south passes the Gallibier and since three Germans were heading up after climbing over the barrier i decided to follow . The road is still closed for good reason with shale all over the road and snow drifts still causing you to get off and walk so after several kilometres when the others started back i called it a day .
Nearby Briancon is Puy St Andre a village hanging off the side of the mountain and it is the home of Valentin who rescued me on the TDF etappe that finished in Sestriere with Lance winning . That time his home was on Montgeneve but in recent years in Puy . These days he is building a new home above this village and the first story is in place built of concrete and wood but he is now prefabricating the second storey and then will build a loft also . Computers are an amazingly useful tool for determining the lengths and thicknesses of wood needed to build each panel that makes up the structure . Some of the tools he is using were unavailable when i was home building in the 1980's . Really amazed at how much one man can accomplish with determination .
Today i rode back up the road to Sestriere from Pragelato which reminded me of the visit there in 1997 . At that time i was with Craig the English Ski Instructor and we camped in the National Forest grounds . Returning there i saw how much the Torino Games had changed the area and the facilities that are now available . Greeted the local Paralympic Ski Trainer and hopefully he will arrange matters so that when we arrive for the 20th etappe of the Giro there will be some Paralympians on hand to remind the public that 2012 Paralympics in London are nearly here . Whilst in the Mairie/Commune Office i was shown a photo relating to the visit of SBS television to Pinerolo so stopped there to do a story with the newspaper . Who knows what will come of this but i hope it is heavily weighted towards "Physically Challenged/ Disabled sport and not another personalities story.
Giro d'Italia will be the source of many stories which will be on the blog www.tourdafrance.blogspot.com so take the time to go there and bookmark or sign on as a follower .
Sergio i am reliably advised could become the President of Italy one day since he has done such a good job in this office . Should that happen i would hope that i am home in Oz when he arrives on a State visit . Kevin Rudd would enjoy meeting him if he has not already done this and i am sure Sergio would enjoy meeting Julia Gillard . Seems like only days since i last spoke with him in Casa Italia at the time of the Games . Ever the gentleman he made me welcome and recalled my hosts at that time although was not aware that they now have two children . Earlier posts to Parrabuddy recall the meeting with Ricardo and my adventures at Torino 2006 . Suffice to say that Giovanna has already welcomed me into their home and later tonight i will find myself installed in the appartment i stayed in as their Guest .
Tour de Romandie is described in "TourdaFrance.blogspot" which you can visit from this link . Sunday night i stayed in Annecy YHA where "Moose" now works having transferred from Seez by Bourg St Maurice YHA . Another enjoyable reunion as it saved me the travel there and the temptation to ride to Col d'Iserain which i am told is still not open for transit .
Monday i went in search of Pascal and Annie since they have moved and their Mobile was out of order . The favourite watering hole told me there was a possibility to see them there about lunch time so took a ride around the local area to pass the time . No luck so headed south to Les2Alpes where Luca whom i first met on the 1999 Giro d'Italia has his Ski School . Staying overnight i was able to see some amazing "Extreme Ski Adventure" shots . Sara runs their travel section and oversees a large number of rental appartments thus making sure that guests return the following winter season with the certainty that all their needs are well catered for and the number of Summer visitors are on the rise as a result of their efforts .
Tuesday after departure i dropped down to the barrage and then rode up the climb to the Ski Station and found them heading down to Bourg Oisans with Max following them on his way to Milano and thence Brisbane . Max is a Ski Trainer who works both Oz and Europe and is responsible for discovering Zalli Steggles and setting her on the way to Olympic and World Ski Tour Fame . These days he has a home near 1770 in Queensland and tells me that they also suffered during the flooding at the beginning of the year .
Dropping back down to the barrage i crossed to the opposite bank and rode up to the Col Sarren as i planned to ride through to Alp d'Huez but the weather closed in and as it started raining i could hear thunder approaching . Having a rain jacket makes for riding in the normal roads but high in the Alps it is a safer option to call it quits and head for the barn . The road south passes the Gallibier and since three Germans were heading up after climbing over the barrier i decided to follow . The road is still closed for good reason with shale all over the road and snow drifts still causing you to get off and walk so after several kilometres when the others started back i called it a day .
Nearby Briancon is Puy St Andre a village hanging off the side of the mountain and it is the home of Valentin who rescued me on the TDF etappe that finished in Sestriere with Lance winning . That time his home was on Montgeneve but in recent years in Puy . These days he is building a new home above this village and the first story is in place built of concrete and wood but he is now prefabricating the second storey and then will build a loft also . Computers are an amazingly useful tool for determining the lengths and thicknesses of wood needed to build each panel that makes up the structure . Some of the tools he is using were unavailable when i was home building in the 1980's . Really amazed at how much one man can accomplish with determination .
Today i rode back up the road to Sestriere from Pragelato which reminded me of the visit there in 1997 . At that time i was with Craig the English Ski Instructor and we camped in the National Forest grounds . Returning there i saw how much the Torino Games had changed the area and the facilities that are now available . Greeted the local Paralympic Ski Trainer and hopefully he will arrange matters so that when we arrive for the 20th etappe of the Giro there will be some Paralympians on hand to remind the public that 2012 Paralympics in London are nearly here . Whilst in the Mairie/Commune Office i was shown a photo relating to the visit of SBS television to Pinerolo so stopped there to do a story with the newspaper . Who knows what will come of this but i hope it is heavily weighted towards "Physically Challenged/ Disabled sport and not another personalities story.
Giro d'Italia will be the source of many stories which will be on the blog www.tourdafrance.blogspot.com so take the time to go there and bookmark or sign on as a follower .
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