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Thread: I'm baaaacckk. (and bloody freezing)

  1. #1
    Join Date
    20th August 2003 - 10:00
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    'o6 Spewzooki Banned it.
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    I'm baaaacckk. (and bloody freezing)

    5 glorious days of sun, 35 degree plus temps, wine, food and wonderful people.
    I love Italy!
    I arrived in Milan on Thursday, feeling surprisingly good after 25 hours of flying cattle class. I was a little bit shagged though, so I left the exploring for Friday.
    I was on a mission to get shoes for the CFO. I found an outlet store and bought a reasonably 'out there' pair of shoes, but I needed something more. I also wanted to see Il Duomo, the cathedral in the centre of town. So I proceeded to get lost. I asked a couple of Carabiniere (Federal Police) for directions. These guys looked like male models, their uniforms are designed by one of the fashion houses, last I heard it was Armani, and they're armed to the teeth. They proceeded to have an argument about the best way to go, which didn't help me much. I eventually found the cathedral, which was awe-inspiring, and also the Golden Quad, where all the fashion houses have their retail shops.
    How about mens shoes that start at $600, $8000 designer cellphones, $500 shirts! The rich ARE different to the rest of us.
    And I found a pair of porn star chic shoes for herself, so that was the important part of the trip done.
    I also bought a Ferrari shirt from the Ferrari Store, you can't go there and not.
    Saturday it was off to Spidi in Vicenza, which was the real reason for the trip. To see the 2007 range of bike gear.
    The trend is for lighter, more comfortable textile kit that still gives improved protection. I think some of it is a little too avant garde for us at this stage, One jacket looked more like a casual jacket than a bike jacket.
    They did have some cool denims with easily removable armour that you just take out when you get to work or the pub or whatever.
    Leather gear has more Tenax stretch panels in it to give freedom of movement, and more water resistant leather is being used in some models, even waterproof liners.
    What was also interesting is the research figures on abrasion resistance, their textile achieves 1200 on the scale, leather has to reach 2000. But the new Tenax 440 textile manages 2500, the only trouble is that you can't make a whole suit of it. Too stiff.
    We headed off to a local pub afterwards and our driver made some comment I missed about hookers, then I saw what he was talking about. At every 100 metres on this semi-rural road was some of the most stunning women I've ever seen. Finn's supermodels, except they charge by the hour.
    Real cold shower material.
    On Monday I went to Bergamo to see the Nolan and Xlite factories. This was an eye opener too, a great deal of the helmets are made by hand. Especially the Xlites with their hand laid carbon and kevlar matting. All the graphics are applied by hand too. I watched the robots that do the cleaning and sanding of the helmets and was amazed at the gentleness and violence of the movements. They pick up a helmet shell as if it were an egg, then swing it over to the sanding belt at a speed that would rip an arm off if it hit you.
    I also got a preview of the 2007 graphic styles that look pretty cool as well.

    I also found out that some flip front helmets on the market are certified as open face because their chin bars do not meet safety standards. They didn't name names, but they showed me how to tell on the serial number. Needless to say that Nolan and Grex are certified as full face helmets.
    Then it was back to the hotel to see the end of the Italy - Australia game. When the penalty went in, there was a roar throughout the hotel. Then, 10 minutes later, the tooting started in the street. The town just went beserk for the next two hours. Cars and bikes circling the square with the Tricolore flying from every passenger. I saw a guy on a scooter ride into a pedestrians leg, who the whacked the rider with a flag pole. I thought it was going to be all on, but the scooter guy got off, had a look at the other guys leg to see the damage. Then they were hugging and laughing their heads off.
    Only in Italy!
    Then it was the looonngg haul back home. This time the jet lag got me. I got in on Thursday and I've only just started to feel half normal.
    A good ride on Sunday will sort this out though.
    Speed doesn't kill people.
    Stupidity kills people.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    12th July 2003 - 01:10
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    welcome back!

    Bloody 'puter won't let me edit or delete this!!

    NOW it did!

    Good write-up Lou, I have already shaved me mo off in preparation for the Armani uniform - it's arriving just after we get our stab-proof vests - whenever THAT is.

    Good to see you had an 'all-round' tour with a variety of sights.things to do.

    BTW It's minus 6 and dropping outside at the moment.
    Winding up drongos, foil hat wearers and over sensitive KBers for over 14,000 posts...........
    " Life is not a rehearsal, it's as happy or miserable as you want to make it"

  3. #3
    Join Date
    12th July 2003 - 01:10
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    welcome back!

    Harden up ya big jessie!!!

    If it's good enough for us plebs it's good enough for you

    Welcome back anyway!!
    Winding up drongos, foil hat wearers and over sensitive KBers for over 14,000 posts...........
    " Life is not a rehearsal, it's as happy or miserable as you want to make it"

  4. #4
    Join Date
    7th November 2004 - 11:00
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    Welcome back mate
    To every man upon this earth
    Death cometh sooner or late
    And how can a man die better
    Than facing fearful odds
    For the ashes of his fathers
    And the temples of his Gods

  5. #5
    Join Date
    20th August 2003 - 10:00
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    'o6 Spewzooki Banned it.
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    Some photos

    1/ some things never change
    2/ Il Duomo
    3/ The Golden Quad
    4/ Even Security Guards are armed, chrome plated too.
    5/ The Palladio Basilica. Older than European settlement in NZ
    6/ Forets race suit from Misano (slightly second hand)
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    Speed doesn't kill people.
    Stupidity kills people.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    20th August 2003 - 10:00
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    Another couple

    1/ The insanity begins
    2/ I'd love to see them if they win the final.
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    Speed doesn't kill people.
    Stupidity kills people.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    20th August 2003 - 10:00
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    Quote Originally Posted by scumdog
    Bloody 'puter won't let me edit or delete this!!
    Yeah, yeah. I can just see you in Armani. You'd have to trim the mo' though, designer stubble only.
    Speed doesn't kill people.
    Stupidity kills people.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    15th November 2004 - 12:53
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    Cool

    Oh were you away....?
    Oh I see.... so where are our postcards.....?



    Welcome back..... yeah we did miss you being all grumpy on here...


  9. #9
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    9th February 2006 - 11:40
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    Welcome back Lou, sounds like you had fun. Just chuck on an extra layer and get a big steaming cup of get hard and you'll be right mate
    Exert your talents, and distinguish yourself, and don't think of retiring from the world, until the world will be sorry that you retire. -Samuel Johnson


  10. #10
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    29th September 2003 - 20:48
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    You lucky bastard, did you get any free samples?

    Should have given you my 2 piece suit so you could tell them to use proper zips in their leathers.

  11. #11
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    25th October 2002 - 17:30
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    Sounds like a blast Lou. The wife and I are planning on doing Italy and the south of France sometime soon. I fear I may not want to come home however...

  12. #12
    Join Date
    25th October 2002 - 17:30
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    Love where the officer has his hand in the first pic, better be careful how you answer huh?? Awesome pics Lou, you've helped me make my mind up. Italy is now certainly on the list.

  13. #13
    Wow - is that Cop wearing jodpers Lou? I bet you were jealous there.....

  14. #14
    Join Date
    1st October 2005 - 21:01
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    That would have been an awesome trip mate. If the kids ever leave home i might have a chance to save enough to get to spots like that.
    SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES - NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING BUT THEY
    BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    20th August 2003 - 10:00
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    No freebies, bugger it.
    It was reaching 40 at Dubai, 28 in the evening. But who wants to be in Dubai?
    Speed doesn't kill people.
    Stupidity kills people.

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