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Lake Como Cruising

Thanks to our retired status, Dianne and I are used to being able to ride whenever we want and go at our own pace. On this grand adventure from London to Rome it's been great to ride with others and share stories at the end of the day, but today we largely rolled along just on our own. What mainly precipitated this was a fairly short but sharp hill as we were leaving Como. 

The Dynamic Duo, as is their wont, had cleared out in front. I was conscious of the big day climbing the famous Passo della Stelvio in front of us tomorrow. Determined not to spend too many pennies today, I didn't even think about trying to keep up with them. Nonetheless I found myself ahead of the rest of our merry band, who no doubt were also preserving themselves. Dianne was latched on to my wheel, as were Harold and Federica. They stuck on to the back of us until the first of two designated coffee stops at 33 kilometres, where they pulled over with the Dynamic Duo. Dianne and I could see no good reason for stopping so soon so we continued on.

Riding alongside the lake was so beautiful that I didn't really want to disrupt the rhythm. Nonetheless I did pause to take this photo as we were coming into a gorgeous village ...

Directly across the road was this very attractive gate that I thought I might as well record too ...

If you ride a bike and don't mind putting up with a bit of traffic then I can highly recommend the journey up from Como up to Dongo, where we had lunch today, and back. The riding is gorgeous and this town is worth visiting just for the fact that it is the place that Mussolini was captured on the 27th of April by the partisans while trying to avoid his day of reckoning.

Here is a photo of the local school with a monument in front ...

Leaving Lake Como and Riding Into the Mountains

While riding alongside Lake Como was very, very beautiful we were really looking forward to moving into the mountains. Not long after lunch we were into the valley system that will eventually lead us up to the Stelvio tomorrow. Traffic eased off a bit once we did leave the lakeside and I was able to sit up and shoot a video of the terrain we were passing through ...

Just shortly after we came alongside the river. It was so pretty that I just couldn't help myself shooting another clip ...

... and then a beautiful chateau came into view and I had to photograph it too ...

The view was even better as we swooped down the hill past that beautiful building, but there was no way that I was going to stop in the middle of a descent just for a picture of a house!

A Hard "Pinch" and then Gorgeous Balcony Cycling

"What's this balcony cycling"? I hear you asking. Well, when Di and I traversed the Pyrenees in 2010 there was a day when we hiked along the Balcon de Canigou with expansive views towards the Mediterranean Sea for hours. The last part of today's ride wasn't quite in the same category, but it was elevated, with great views down into the valley as we ascended slowly to Teglio, our stop for the night.  However, that was after the climb out of Sondrio. And that was a somewhat extended "pinch". (This was where Di and I finally parted company after spending 105 kilometres together, as we do ride up hills at a slightly different pace.) Perhaps more than the bit of minimisation that was put on it during last night's briefing. However, once up that bit of a biter the riding was pure enjoyment.

Di stopped to take a couple of shots of the valley with mountains behind, wreathed in clouds, that I thought were rather nice ...

Although showers threatened, they held off until the pre-dinner briefing, which we all thought was rather good. I spoke with a few riders about what they thought of the day's outing. Here's a direct quote for you: 

       "A stunning day's riding".

                                                                    J. Sanchez

Not much more to say, is there? Nevertheless, I will try a brief summary. This morning we left the best bed we've had after the best day's cycling; today we superseded yesterday's best day of cycling on the tour so far with another best day. And in this small regional village we've now had the best meal on tour so far: much more simple fare than many of our previous meals but the best balanced with the best mix of protein and carbohydrate and absolutely delicious.  

It's just about time to sign off so as to get enough sleep for tomorrow's challenge. We're all hoping that the high tech recovery drink for old farts that Dylan got us to swallow upon arrival will stand us in good stead for the Stelvio tomorrow. Dianne and I have done our laundry and hung it in the window embrasure ...

... here at the wonderful, historic Hotel Combolo. 

Tomorrow we enter the heart of the Dolomite Mountains, with their fabled passes. We are all very excited and hoping for good weather.

Finally, I thought I might leave you with an image of today's route and elevation profile ...

 You can see more information and zoom out on the map by going to this link. And that's it for today!