La Gazzetta della BianchiTHE NEWSLET TER FOR MEMBERS OF THE BIANCHI OWNERS CLUB UK ■ ISSUE ONE

MORE than 250 members have nowjoined the world’s first official Bianchiowners club – and can look forward to

even better and exclusive offers and eventsover the coming months.

The Bianchi Owners Club UK was launched lastJune at the historic Eroica Britannia cycling festivaland hasn’t looked back since.

All new members receive an exclusivemembership pack containing distinctivemerchandise, such as a celeste-branded ownersclub cap, a branded musette, a members card anda cappuccino cup featuring the Bianchi logo.

They also have the chance to attend clubarranged trips and special i-rideBianchi eventsthroughout the country.

Since the launch, the club has set upits own members’ website – found atwww.bianchiownersclubuk.co.uk – and an online

club shop (see back page formore details).

It also helps to promote andsupport members’ i-rideBianchirides around the country, providingmerchandise wherever possible.

The latest milestone is the launch of the clubnewsletter, which will feature all the latest newsfrom the club, members’ own stories, news fromBianchi UK, details of upcoming events and ridesas well as more exclusive deals and competitions.

Bianchi Owners Club UK Chairman John Mollartsaid: “It is fantastic to see how the club has grownsince the launch last June and really captures thespirit of Bianchi. To have surpassed 250 membersis a real milestone for us.

“We started out as a Facebook group for fans ofBianchi and it was clear from day one that thecompany and its bikes have a fantastic supportand following in the UK.

“By setting up an owners club we are able towork even more closely with Bianchi UK and enjoystructured support and an even closer workingrelationship with the organisation.”

One of the exclusive events the club is able tolay on will be a members-only luxury weekend,planned for later in the summer.

Attendees will be able to stay at a highly-ratedvenue and enjoy a ride in a picturesque part of theUK – with the cost being subsidised by the club.More details will be announced on the website.

Passion forcycling helpswith illnessCLUB member Carl Sheppard istrying to inspire others afterdiscovering thatcycling has helpedhim control andstay on top of adebilitatingillness.

Carl, pictured,suffers fromMeniere’s disease, abalance disorder whichstems from fluid on the inner ear.

The condition can leave himfeeling like he has a severehangover or the room is severelyspinning, even if he lies downand closes his eyes.

At one low point, he cameclose to quitting his job andreadily admits that he brokedown in front of his manager.However, his passion for cyclingcame to his rescue.

It helps with his balance andblood flow around the inner earand has left him feeling bothphysically and mentally stronger.

Carl said: “I honestly feel thatwithout cycling I would not be asmentally strong as I am now andI know I would not be controllingmy Meniere’s as well as I am.

“I can tell the difference if Idon’t ride for a couple of weeksbecause my symptoms pick up.”

Carl recently wrote an articleon the benefits of cycling forMeniere’s sufferers for a medicalmagazine.

He added: “I hope I caninspire others to try cycling andto improve their lives living withMeniere’s. It has really improvedmy standard of living.”

Got a Bianchistory for us?DO you have a story for thenew UK members’ newsletter?

We are looking for your rideexperiences, bike or gearreviews and inspirational tales.

We also want yourmemorable photographs andfascinating facts aboutBianchi. Please send yourstories and photos to:bianchiownersclubuk@gmail.com

Club members enjoy an i-rideBianchievent from Elmy Cycles in Ipswich.

Club embodies the

APIONEERING deal has beenstruck which has seen theBianchi Owners Club UK

become a leading sponsor of a highlysuccessful women’s performancecycling team.

The Bikeshed Bianchi team are thereigning Kalas South West Women’sroad race series champions as well asthe south west circuit race champions.

Other sponsors for the 2016 seasoninclude the historic cycle brand ofBianchi and the South West’s biggestBianchi retailer Bikeshed of Devon.

It represents the first major teamsponsorship as a club and signals a realdetermination to be associated with thebest teams in the country.

Bianchi UK’s Andrew Griffin said: “Weare delighted to support the team alongwith Bikeshed and all the other partners.The programme is ambitious,manageable and looks fun, and theriders seem to understand what it takesto compete at this level. Good luck all.”

The experienced team retains thosefrom the 2015 season – EmmaCockcroft, Lucy Gowing, Alex Sheehanand Bethan Stubbs – who are joined byJess Duffy.

Other partners include KalasSportswear, Torq – who supplynutritional products – and GruppettoCoffee.

Bikeshed Bianchi Team Manager

David Walters said the official link-upwith the Owners Club would also bringwith it “enthusiasm” and “encouragement”.

He said: “It will be both fun, interactiveand a source of great interest. A morepassionate band of Bianchi enthusiastswould be very hard to find and the teamwill benefit from all the enthusiasm andencouragement from the club.”

As part of the tie-up, Bianchi OwnersClub UK members will be able to gainexclusive access to an exciting race-dayexperience.

They will be able to meet up with theteam at the Ryedale GP, which will beheld on July 10 near Thirsk in NorthYorkshire.

This will involve meeting the riders atrace HQ prior to warm-up time beforejoining them at the start-finish line. Afterthe race members will be able to goback to the HQ for a de-brief on how therace went.

As well as this exclusive race-dayaccess, one lucky guest will get thechance to ride with team managerDavid and the team mechanic in therace car as they provide support tothe riders on both laps of the race.

News on how to apply for thisinnovative behind-the-scenes and meetand greet day, and to be in with achance of taking a seat in the race car,will be anounced shortly on the club’sFacebook page.

Campaigngains paceBIANCHI are backing a campaignto get more women into roadcycling.

They’ve enlisted the help ofauthor and newbie triathlete HelenCroydon who competed in the ITUAge-Group World Championships inChicago, less than 18 months afterfirst using a road bike.

Helen will be working withBianchi as a brand ambassador. Asa writer and journalist specialisingin women’s interest, gender issuesand health, she is passionate aboutgetting more women into sport,particularly cycling. She’ll beworking with Bianchi at a number ofworkshops and talks aimed atpromoting the benefits of cycling towomen.

Tributes comein from highprofile figuresTWO high-profile figures in theworld of Bianchi have throwntheir whole-hearted supportbehind the club and its newnewsletter.

Fred Morini, Sales andMarketing Representative atBianchi Bicycles in Italy andAndrew Griffin, CountryManager for Bianchi UK, haveboth expressed their delight atthe way the club is taking shapeand the enthusiasm of itsmembers.

Fred said: “We are so proud ofwhat the Bianchi Owners ClubUK is doing to promote ourbrand and the incredible, hardwork being put in to attractmore and more people to Bianchi.

“Through actions, such asevents, rides and the newsletterthey are supporting our productmarketing and brand reputation.

“A very good job guys – thankyou for sharing the samePassione Celeste and I lookforward to joining you at one ofthe UK events soon.”

Andrew added: “It’s a trulyexciting and important momentin the growth and developmentof the Bianchi Owner’s Club tolaunch its first newsletter.

“It shows how far the club hascome since the first tentativesteps as a Facebook group, andthe extent of the vision thosepioneers have.

“For me, it’s a humblingexperience to see so muchdedication to the brand and,through this newsletter, to seethat grow further and bring moreriders into Passione Celeste.Congratulations to all involved.”

Fred Morini

Andrew Griffin

Twenty3c’s Nick Crook, left,with Andrew Griffin at thestore in Stony Stratford.

THE UK’s First Bianchi-only store has opened – and willstock a complete range of bikes, apparel andaccessories.

Based in Stony Stratford, in North Buckinghamshire,the store represents a link up between Bianchi andTwenty3c.

It features an expanded coffee shop, fully-equippedworkshop, bike fittings and a full range of Bianchi Bikes,with a selection of demo bikes also available.

Twenty3c, was established in 2008 and has expandedfrom its original location to larger premises, which hasfeatured a Bianchi-themed coffee shop.

Founder and Director of Twenty3c Ceri Dipple, said:“We have worked closely with Bianchi for a number ofyears so it’s a real honour to be the UK’s first Bianchi-only store. This project will enable us to offer ourcustomers a complete range of Bianchi bikes, appareland merchandise to sit alongside products from otherleading manufacturers, which is really exciting.”

Andrew Griffin, Country Manager of Bianchi UK said:“Bianchi is a brand with a huge story to tell and a closepartnership with Twenty3c, developed over the last threeyears, allows it to be told in a retail environment.

“The cafe, product displays and store presentation allwelcome visitors into what is, for many, a lifestyle andnot just a bike brand.”

First UK Bianchionly store opens

First sponsorship deal proves the club isDETERMINED TO SUPPORT THE BEST

Team members Lucy Gowing, AlexSheehan and Bethan Stubbs in raceaction and, inset, the team race daycar – one lucky member will get thechance to ride in it as part of anexclusive meet and greet event atthe Ryedale GP in July.

FOUR limited edition cyclingprints by world-famousartist Mark Fairhurst are up

for grabs in this exclusivemembers’ newsletter competition.

The distinctive cycling poster-style artworks featuring some ofMark’s best-knowndesigns are worth £47each. The A2-size printswill each come with anauthenticity stamp fromthe artist himself and area must for every cyclingaficionado.

To be in with a chanceof winning one of thelimited edition prints,email us a sentenceexplaining why you thinkyou should win one ofthese coveted prizes.

Please send answers tobianchiownersclubuk@gmail.comwith the subject MagazineCompetition. Entries need to reachus by April 30 2016 andthe winners will be announced inthe next issue of the magazine.

Mark, who is a keen cyclisthimself, isheavilyinfluenced by theArt Deco periodand drawsinspiration fromthe graphic posterart of the era.His work canalso be purchasedthrough theBianchi OwnersClub shop (seeright for details).

CLUB member Justin Di Tommasoreviews the latest Zurigo on themarket...

My Nirone has been my trusty winter steedover the years like so many other owners,but decided to get a Zurigo to complementit for that little bit extra when the elementsand the terrain gets interesting.

Firstly its aesthetics, Bianchi did the bestthing in 2015 and rolled out pure Celestemodels and this was one of them, with itsvintage decals to match, an eye catcher thatlooks more than its price tag. Howevermuch as a bike might look the part, could itdo a job as a winter bike? A lot of peopleswitch to CX bikes in the winter to use themfor those tough base mile slogs, I felt thatBianchi had noted this and brought out abike that’s more than just built for CX.

The Zurigo comes with compact gearingand geometry that feels more of a longdistance C2C frame we all know and love.However the most important factor for meriding solo on those rustic back lanes, werethe disc brakes. Hayes CX Expert comeswith the bike and do a fair job, not the bestbut give me control when I need it, the keyis a distinct advantage in the wet, ABS on abike if you like.

The groupset is Shimano Tiagra, withALEXRIMS wheelset and 32mm Kenda

Kwicker tyres. For a personal choice Iswapped that for Campagnolo Veloce (plusMavic Aksium wheels) and as I was lookingfor more “classics” style riding than CX, Ichanged the tyres to 30mm ChallengeStrada Bianca. This allowed for a nice mixof main road, back road and off road ridingthat we experience this time of year.

In the handling stakes, it’s a CX bike,heavy, not the fastest up the climbs but Ididn’t expect it to be at weighing around10.5 kg. On the flat it’s as expected not as

quick off the mark as its carboncounterparts, but will cruise along fine overthe 20mph mark. As for downhill andcornering it’s not great, takes a bit of nerveon a bike like this, but hey it’s a CX bike andnot designed for high speeds right?

That said its fun, it’s a tough nut and ifyou enjoy thrashing a bike around farmyardroutes, tackling UK Roubaix-esque roads ona bike that won’t mess about, but is alsoadept at cruising along the main roads at afair pace, then the Zurigo ticks those boxes.

Vist us at: www.bianchiownersclubuk.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter: @bianchiownersuk

Or join our Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/bianchiownersuk

The Zurigo – a versatile,tough nut that’s fun to ride.

The CX bike that’sbuilt for lots more

Great deals on offerWHETHER it’s new Bianchiapparel or discounted bikeinsurance, the owner’s clubshop and website is the hubfor everything you need.

Members can logonto the site at:bianchiownersclubuk.co.uk

where they will get exclusiveaccess to club clothing.

As well as authenticmerchandise, there is asection on the latestirideBianchi events and otherdates of interest in the cyclingcalendar.

La Gazzetta Dello Bianchihas teamed up with BianchiUK to bring our readers anexclusive 10 per centdiscount off the purchaseprice of the 2016 Infinito CV

(non-disc model, standardUK colour option).

Simply present your clubmembership card and aform of photo ID to yourBianchi dealer.

EXCLUSIVE NEWSLETTER OFFER FROM BIANCHI

Win a Fairhurstretro cycling print