May 19, 2022
La Spezia to Vernazza
Are we crazy?
A relatively short but intense ride. We got underway after breakfast and missed a turn early on. As we were discussing how to get back on course (go back a block and make the turn or turn right here and go the wrong way up a one-way street for a block), two local fellows who were nearby asked if we were heading for Cinque Terre. To Vernazza, we said. They then explained that the way we were planning to go was really steep and it would be better to go left here and take the “Litor…” As this conversation was carried out in French and English (me) and Italian (them), it wasn’t until later that I understood that they were telling us to take the “Strada statale 370 Litoeanea delle Cinque Terre.” We thanked them, turned as they suggested, and checked their proposed route when we were out of sight. It made sense, included local knowledge (I’d planned the other way for fear of traffic), so we went with it. It would merge with our planned route at the first high point, just before the first tunnel. I knew about this tunnel, had checked that it was okay for cyclists (and gently downhill in our direction) but until these fellow mentioned “tre gallerias” I didn’t realize there would be two more. Just like yesterday, when I only knew about the longest one.
Riding up SR 370 was just fine. The grade was manageable, the traffic not too bad, and the distance only about 1500 m further.
| Heart | 3 | Comment | 0 | Link |
Al waited for me at the top of the climb and we got our light on for the tunnel. We could see straight through to the other end so it didn’t look too long, but that view was deceptive. The Galleria Biassa is 1023 m long!
Once through, we were in the Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre. The road was fairly wide and we descended until the turnoff for Manarola. Then it became narrow and tilted up. And continued up. Finally it started gently descending.
| Heart | 1 | Comment | 0 | Link |
I found Al waiting for me at the turnoff for Vernazza and then it was down, down, down. I couldn’t help thinking about up, up, up the day after tomorrow and wondering if we could take our bikes on a train or boat. We will see. Riding back up this (realistically, we’d be pushing our bikes) would be crazy.
| Heart | 1 | Comment | 0 | Link |
| Heart | 1 | Comment | 0 | Link |
Vernazza’s main street was solid with people from the train station down. We were already walking our bikes as there had been a sign instructing cyclists to do so a bit uphill from there, at a spot where we actually saw another cyclist and who pointed it out to me. Although we had seen several other cyclists on SR 370, he was the only one we’d seen since we left it. I wondered if he was riding back up, but he was on a light road bike.
We connected with Barbara, our host, and settled into our apartment for the next two nights. Only two because this is the most expensive accommodation on this trip! But it’s a very nice apartment and quiet, though it’s just steps from Piazza Guglielmo Marconi and the beach and port.
After cleaning up, we ventured out for lunch (sandwiches eaten on a bench at the port) and an explore. It was hot and muggy so we didn’t go far, deciding to postpone any hiking until tomorrow. After a short nap, we went for a swim and then for dinner followed by an early night.
| Heart | 0 | Comment | 0 | Link |
| Heart | 2 | Comment | 0 | Link |
| Heart | 2 | Comment | 0 | Link |
| Heart | 0 | Comment | 2 | Link |
2 years ago
Today's ride: 26 km (16 miles)
Total: 703 km (437 miles)
| Rate this entry's writing | Heart | 11 |
| Comment on this entry | Comment | 5 |
2 years ago
2 years ago
2 years ago