August 2, 2019
Ugovizza
Into our third country
We woke and looked out the window to see gentle rain. No need to hurry as because of the usual problem with weekend accommodation we had a only a short distance to ride. Our breakfast was leisurely, we took our time packing, check out time was approaching - it was still raining. The rain got heavier, there was nothing to do but to set off.
Ninety percent of the ride today was climbing but it is probably one of the most beautiful rides we have done. For the first 5 or so kilometres we were on a cycleway beside the road. This lead us to the border where under the old customs area we sheltered and talked to two dripping cycle tourists. They were from Prague and were returning from cycling in Slovenia, camping along the way, though they thought they would try to get a dry room tonight!
From here we were directed to a dedicated cycle trail called the Treviso Forest. The gradient was labelled 15% which is even too much for me on my ebike. It soon moderated but was always a challenge. But the rain got harder and something bad started to happen. Kens eyes became so sore that he had to keep stopping to clean them out and felt he could only ride with his eyes closed! Not to be recommended. On we continued with frequent stops until we came to the end of the section at a road. We stopped and realised we would have to sort things out. It was a eureka moment, in the heavy rain, water had been pouring through his helmet and being directed into his eyes. He has used this helmet for three years often in very hot conditions so salt has accumulated, the torrential rain was dissolving it and the solution was flowing into his eyes. What a shame we didn’t get to enjoy this spectacular path.
Ken’s helmet off, and now dodging instant blindness, much to our delight we were directed onto a fabulous rail trail. Never have I been on such a route, it is perfectly paved and gently uphill. all around the scenery was spectacular. There were ski lifts going up into the mountains. Towns and villages were both above and below us. Some of the mountains were sheer rock and others heavily forest clad. We reached the summit and were not long into the descent when we reached Ugovizza
Ugovizza is tiny surely finding our room would be easy. Shivering uncontrollably I went and asked in a pizza shop, all seemed fine but it didn’t seem to be there. I set google maps it took us somewhere but nothing. A lady came out of a house looked confused and took us to a nearby bar. There was a phone number which I rang, just very rapid Italian on the other end so one of the patrons took the phone then as by magic a young girl appeared and took us around the corner to a COMPLETELY UNMARKED house and showed us the rather lovely room. The rain eased and eventually we thawed out
Thank goodness is as such a short distance. Wet clothes are dripping everywhere. We celebrated by going back and having a Pizza and a demi litre de vino rose.
Ken took these photos of the town after the rain stopped
Today's ride: 26 km (16 miles)
Total: 435 km (270 miles)
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| Comment on this entry | Comment | 4 |
5 years ago
I'll remember to beware of salty helmets!
Wishing you dry weather from here on in!
5 years ago
5 years ago