Well that was quick. Frazer Hare the Bianchi UK sales rep asked head office if I could start my ride from their gates. They refused point blank. This is a blow. Part of me was hoping they would love the idea and see the romance in the story and its PR value. I had visions of being invited on a factory tour ahead of setting off. But my dream is just that, mine. Not theirs.
So I have two choices. I could either ignore them and start from the public road outside the factory or find an alternative start point. I'm going for the latter because I already had a plan B. I am going to start from the Bianchi cafe in the heart of Milan near the Duomo.