///// Cycle Diaries /////: April 2011

Friday, 29 April 2011

Italia 2011/// final day:amantea to tropea 85km

We finally reached our destination. After more than 1600km on the saddle, we made it, Italy from Innsbruck to tropea, through one of the most scenic and beautiful countries we have ever seen, and just in time to see the royal wedding, what a day. A great sense of achievement but equally a greater sense of fatigue. A deserved sleep and more to blog tomorrow. Ciao!

Italia 2011/// amantea to tropea

Evening walk around town

Italia 2011/// amantea to tropea

Just before tropea, our last brake before arrival.

Italia 2011/// villamare to amantea 150km

This is our second Coastal day and our last full day cycling. On the map, it looks simple: couple of hills and then a straight flat road to amantea. However, our bodies started to wind down which made this day quite difficult. Slow start and big lunch until we put pressure on the legs to get to amantea before dark. 84km left, the finish line is close.

Italia 2011/// villamare to amantea

A welcoming morning scenery as we are about to leave the hilly Coastal road and eat some kilometres on the flats.

Wednesday, 27 April 2011

Italia 2011/// day 12 battipaglia to villamare 160km

After a hard day through harsh conditions, we woke up with the sun poking a way through. By the time we reached the coast, it was blue sky and warm and we started off the Coastal roads. A great day with incredible scenery and ondulated roads. Being on the coast is a big milestone, we can start to think about the finish line. 2 days left, let's hope the sun stays.

Italia 2011/// battipaglia to villamare

On the last descent of the day, we were greeted with an other beautiful vista. 10 km of downhill and we were promised pasta, and a football match. Mega

Italia 2011/// battipglia to villamare

A sample of the lovely Coastal road, a treat to the eye.

Italia 2011/// battipaglia to villamare

You can't tell, but that is a 20% incline

Italia 2011/// day 11 santa lucia to battipaglia

200km through a hard day of wind,rain, and cold and a final climb to 850m before we headed onto a final descent to the coast in the dark. The only sunshine we got was from the locals, with coffee offerings and a bottle of wine. We even got escorted by car to find the right way. Thank you for your help, you made our day.

Italia 2011/// day 11 santa lucia to battipaglia, 200km

Grazie per il cafe

Monday, 25 April 2011

Italia 2011/// day 10, middle of nowhere to santa lucia

Met with some local riders who showed us the way to our night stop, grazie Mille per la vostra aiuto.

Italia 2011/// day 10, middle of nowhere to santa lucia

Ride through the old town of antila, one of many hidden jewels. Time for lunch

Italia 2011/// day 10, middle of nowhere to santa lucia

Stunning views of small perched towns on cliff edges

Italia 2011/// day 10, middle of nowhere to santa lucia

175 km though hills wind rain and grappas. Good day as we are starting to feel like we are heading more and more south

Italia 2011/// todi to middle of nowhere, day 9

A day of long faux plats and straight roads for mental exercise, no town for miles, it felt like the Nevada equivalent to Italy.

Italia 2011/// todi to middle of nowhere

The hilly parts of the centre of Italy

Italia 2011/// day 9 todi to middle nowhere

Morning view over todi

Italia 2011/// day 9 todi to middle of nowhere

Breakfast in terni

Italia 2011/// siena to todi day 8

Arrival in todi

Italia 2011/// siena to todi

Arriverderci Toscana

Italia 2011/// siena to todi

Gladiator's home

Friday, 22 April 2011

Italia 2011/// day 7 (rest day)

We had a well deserved rest in siena, good food, walks, a football match and too much history. Lovely town. The adventure resumes tomorrow at 7am.

Italia 2011/// day 7 (rest day)

Easier to do Italy with one of these

Italy 2011/// day 7 (rest day in siena)

Well deserved

Italia 2011/// day 6 tuscany, 167km

A stunning day through the heart of tuscany, from monzuno through Florence, and finishing in Siena. Rounded hills one after the other wore our legs out and chianti wine is on the list for our well deserved rest day. Ciao

Italia 2011/// day 6

Sunset

Italia 2011/// day 6

Exiting Florence and heading to siena on the s222, one of the most scenic rides of Tuscany.

Thursday, 21 April 2011

Italia 2011/// day 6, tuscany

3rd descent of the day with an incredible view over Florence.

Italia 2011/// day 6

A warm welcome from the locals for breakfast in loiano, grazie per la colazione

Italia 2011/// day 6, toscana

Morning descent on the long a curved Tuscan roads.

Wednesday, 20 April 2011

Italia 2011///day 5

125km with a good stint on the flats and finishing off at the start of Tuscany. We finished on a taster of the hills we are to expect, which means tomorrow is a hard one, with 160km to Siena. It s been blue sky and warm so far, let's hope it stays that way.

Italia///2011 day 5

Ferrara: welcomed by albertino who showed us around, grazie Mille amico.

Italia 2011///day 5

Whilst heading towards Tuscany on the flats, we decided to have a brake in Ferrara, jewel of a town where everyone cycles and talks with their hands.

Tuesday, 19 April 2011

Italia///2011 citadella

Cappuccino brake in this lovely town with a welcoming 27 degrees

Italia 2011/// yep, we re heading down that

Mega

Italia///2011 mega down hill

The scenery has changed and the spring is in full swing as we descend for 25 minutes to 200m. Good bye alpine region

Italia 2011/// momte grappa

View of the plains, before heading towards padova

Italia 2011/// monte grappa

Last incredible alpine descent

Italia 2011///day 4: good bye alpes, hello flats

Heading up the last alpine climb, to 1800m and enjoying an energy bar with a view

Monday, 18 April 2011

Italia///2011

On the move

Italia///2011 passo selle

A long climb from 500m to 2240m,

Italia 2011///first day

Heading towards first stop vipiteno. At 1000m altitude.

Italia 2011///3 first days

A couple pics from the first alpine section. Short distances but high altitude

Thursday, 14 April 2011

Itlalia 2011///From north to south 01

Right, the challenge this year is Italy. 5 of us will land in Innsbruck
(Austria) on the Saturday 16th april with our bikes and ride all
the way south to Tropea, arriving there on the Friday 29th April
for a sunny beach reward. The distance is about 1000miles
over 12 stages and a rest day in Siena.

On the way, eat all the pasta put under our noses and slick
stream as many vespas as possible. Some of the regions we
ride through include the Dolomites, Tuscany, and Calabria.
Check the map for the general route.

All the equipment has been listed and organised to allow for
minimal travel weight.That's it really. Just need to make sure
the we get there safe and sound and inhale every inch of
visual spectacle on the way. We'll try and keep you posted
but that is depending on how easy it will be to lift a finger
at the end of the day.

The route:
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4430497