Sam William Andrews Diary: #1 BWR Arizona - US
I embarked on a grand desert escapade to Arizona,
all in the name of kick starting my season with a bang at the Belgian Waffle Ride.
The course was a tantalizing blend of treacherous terrain, featuring undulating hills, specially designed MTB trails, rugged sand washes, and bumpy 4×4 roads.
And all of this set against a picturesque backdrop of the stunning desert rock and prickly cacti.
The course, spanning 122-miles, was a perfect medley, making it the ideal prelude to a long season ahead.
With the 7am start fast approaching, I found myself at the front of the start line, flanked by ex-world tour pros, national champions, Olympians, conti riders, and weekend warriors.
The atmosphere was electric, and everyone was eager to prove their worth after months of grueling winter training.
As we set off on a neutral roll out, we were almost immediately faced with a long, grueling climb.
At first, it was a peaceful ascent with friendly chatter, but soon after, the pace intensified, Pete Stetina led the charge up the steep inclines.
Despite my best efforts, I found myself in the second chasing group, struggling to keep up with the lead pack.
However, as soon as we hit the first off-road sector, I kicked into high gear, determined to make up lost ground and tackle the challenging terrain with all my might.
The race was not without its obstacles, but I dug deep and persevered, never giving up.
And as I crossed the finish line, I was elated to have secured a top 30 overall finish and a top 20 spot in my age category.
It was a grueling yet rewarding experience, and I can’t wait for more of it this season.
See you out there!
Titici Alloi, an endless adventure
The Italian brand introduces the third generation of the Dedacciai aluminium gravel model designed for bikepacking and fun on dirt roads. With new PAT.H. system for vibration damping and superior riding comfort
In 2020 TITICI presents the A-GR01, its first gravel model with Dedacciai aluminium frame. The following year from the hub of Asola (Mantua Province, Italy) comes ALL-IN, the evolution of the predecessor, with integrated cable routing, new frame and rear triangle geometries. Now the Italian brand is ready to launch ALLOI, the third generation in its family of aluminium gravel bikes. The DNA has remained the same: adventure, travel, fun – with no limits in terms of duration or terrain.
New PAT.H. anti-vibration technology, comfort and resistance together
Faithful to the ‘family’ tradition, the ALLOI frame also stems from the collaboration with Dedacciai, the leading Italian company that produced the highest quality aluminium tubes, with handmade welds and customised shapes for TITICI.
The main innovation concerns the top tube featuring the new PAT.H (Plate Absorber Technology Hydroformed) technology, derived from the patented PAT system available on TITICI carbon frames. The iconic shape with an oval section, which is thinner and flatter, increases the vibration damping capacity while maintaining high resistance and torsional rigidity. The top tube is given this shape through hydroforming, a technique also used in the production of sports cars that exploits the high pressure of liquids to create extremely reliable and resistant tubes.
The benefits of PAT.H technology are superior stability and comfort combined with high performance. Vibrations generated by uneven terrain are absorbed by the frame structure and do not reach the rider’s arms, neck and back, the areas typically subjected to the most stress, thus leading to a greater feeling of well-being in the saddle over long distances.
Redesigned fork for improved ride stability
Like on the ALL-IN model, the head tube features an oversized diameter of 1 1/2″ that allows for full integration of the cables. TITICI engineers have completely redesigned the fork with an accentuated asymmetry to counteract the forces produced by the braking system. The result is greater riding stability on the most technical terrain.
Made in Italy design and functionality
Designed for long off-road adventures, the ALLOI model is optimised in every aspect, from its bikepacking predisposition to the possibility of fitting generously sized tyres, up to 700c x 40 or 650b x 45, and tackling the most extreme trails with full confidence. Sophisticated details make it unique and exclusive: the chiselled and hand-painted Titici logo on the seat stay bridge and on the chainstays, the graphic pattern on the top tube that evokes the magic of dirt roads, the total customisation of the colours. A perfect union of Made in Italy design and innovative functionality that has always been the hallmark of TITICI.
Premiere at Cyclingworld Europe in Dusseldorf, available now
It is possible to discover ALLOI in world premiere at the Cycling World Europe fair in Dusseldorf, Germany, from 10 to 12 March. The new TITICI bike model is available now on the official website www.titici.com.
