5 REASONS TO LOVE THE GIRO D'ITALIA

It starts tomorrow, and I'm so thrilled, even though the first 3 stages take place in gloomy Amsterdam and I've been watching almost all of the Spring Classics--bike races over mud and cobblestones through the stormy grim northern flats and hills that promise beer and pallid mystery meats rather than lovely robust vino e pasta. No matter. Here we go--I offer you just a few of the many reasons to adore the chaotic perfection of the Tour of Italy, aka, the Giro d'Italia.

1. Athletic guys in peak form in skintight spandex.
2. Italy, the most sexy gorgeous countryside in the world, from craggy Dolomite alps to the dangerous curves of the Amalfi Coast, the rolling hills of Tuscany, all encrusted with some of the greatest architectural and artistic gems made by human hand.
3. The Giro is 3 weeks, count'em, so it goes everywhere in Italy--it's like a free tour!
4. The Giro is 3 weeks--a grand tour, like the Tour de France--so you've got the full flower of the sport of cycling--sprint finishes where the likes of Mark Cavendish, Tyler Farrar, and Alessandro Petacchi (the most charismatic of thick-thighed beauties) duke it out, grueling climbs with the light-weight mountain men like Carlos Sastre accelerating into the stratosphere, the Team Time Trial where each team stays together taking curves in formation like lovely geese in all the colorful kit and pageantry of the sport, the Time Trial with every man racing first against himself, and finally, the entire sweep of the General Classification battle that will leave only one man in pink--the leader's jersey--on the ultimate race day.
5. Last year every stage had its magical breathless moments. It won't be any different this year. And I'll be there on the edge of my seat, while I plan my next Italian vacation.
   

VIVA IL GIRO!

Today I look for Dutch beer that is not lager-y swill. I'm told by friends who have lived in Amsterdam that this might be a tall order. But, with the help of 55 Degree Wine in Atwater Village, which has a fabulous beer selection from Europe, I'll win through!

See you later tonight for my first Giro Stage Food and Drink pairing!

FORZA ITALIA! FORZA IL CICLISMO!