Day 5 - Quistello to Bologna - Oh The Places You'll Go - 2025

April 15, 2025

Day 5 - Quistello to Bologna

Dikes and Rails

Another day of pedalling along dikes and rail trails. We thought that we’d be on autopilot just following the blue route line on our phones but we did manage to get quite off route several times at the start of the day. Only we could manage that !

It turns out there are lots of flooding control dikes, most with nice paved single track roads on them and many of them quite close together. When you just let you mind wander and your legs spin, you soon, or sometimes later, find out your not going where you want to go.

After a few of these lapses (K had a stronger word) we figured out how to keep on track. It also helped that also coincided with arriving in Mirandola, where the route, the recently redeveloped EV7 Ciclovia del Sole, became a straight shot rail trails all the way to Bologna. We were literally ‘on track’.

Andrea had told us about this recently developed trail and it looks like the old rail line has been replaced by a more modern high speed line and the old rail bed turned into a very nice bike trail.

Not the most scenic ride in the world, but still very nice. Even better, today’s forecast called for rain in the morning at Quistello and the sunshine by the time we got to Bologna. While eating breakfast it was raining pretty good but by the time we finished and started loading up the bikes, the rain had stopped. Even better, by the time we got to the rail trail at Mirandola the sun started to appear as promised.

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Leaving Agriturismo Zibramondo. It’s been a slice!

The new dedicated rail trail that goes all the way to Bologna. The last few km’s into the city are still under development

Looks like sea asparagus (samphire) growing along the rail trail. Unfortunately it wasn’t (woody texture and woody flavour)

There was the odd detour away from the new rail line but they were all on excellent paved paths

You always need a small section of single track! We just reached the section that is ‘still in development’

Just reaching the outskirts of Bologna. I was surprised how close the city is to the Appennines.

This is K’s first time in Bologna. I was here 43 years ago when I was on my post uni 4 month cycle trip through Europe. I have vague memories of porticos and old squares … but not much more.

San Luca Basilica dominating the skyline

Checking into our small boutiquey hotel. It is ‘very central’ right in the Quadrilatero food markets area.

Managed to squeeze this shot in of K going into the hotel to get us booked in. It looks like we’re alone but the streets are heaving with people - mid week in April! Mid summer would be a nightmare

We are just steps away from Le Due Torri (they’re closed now for ‘emergency work’ as the main tower is in danger of collapsing). Andrew C, if you’re reading … don’t come here and take a tour of the tower. It will collapse an hour after you’re gone!

Bologna is considered by many to be the food capital of Italy, so here we go!

We had a very good and very traditional Bolognese dinner at Terasina, a lovely restaurant recommended by the hotel concierge

We both had the same Primo- Farfalle with asparagus and prosciutto. It was the most perfectly prepared farfalle we’ve ever had

we split a Secondi - potato crusted sea bream. It was excellent

SOTD

Baloney Again, Mark Knopfler

I’m a big Knopfler fan and this has absolutely nothing to do with Bologna, other than being a bad joke on how North Americans may pronounce it. Great song nonetheless. And guess what, I’m in Bologna again! Enjoy

That’s it from Bologna. A day off the bikes to explore tomorrow!

Today's ride: 91 km (57 miles)
Total: 462 km (287 miles)

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Patrick Parnowelcome to foodie heaven!
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2 days ago

Lyle McLeodTo Patrick ParnoOh yeah. Off to dinner now.
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2 days ago