September 5, 2018
Merano - Strudel Trees Everywhere
Prato to Merano
Today was as down as yesterday was up. It really is true, the Via Claudia Augusta is a downhill track. Sometimes very gently, and sometimes a little more steeply. We had a head wind all day, but as we were losing elevation all day it wasn’t really an issue.
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The first order of business today was to return the key to Glurns. In perfect weather we retraced our route. It is interesting how everything looks completely different in the other direction. We did the round trip quickly, and we were cycling back through Prato before we knew it.
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6 years ago
But GNR? - Julia does not look like a heavy metal kind of kid.
6 years ago
Once we were back through Prato we were officially on the Via Claudia Augusta. The number of apple orchards is stunning and they were at their best...just about ready to be picked. At one point we went through a strudel tree tunnel.
Then came the detour Italian style. No worries, no delays, and no cow pies. Cheerful instructions were to just squeeze your bike, your panniers and yourself between the heavy equipment and the fence. Nothing to it.
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Down, down we went. The only frustration on the ride today was the sheer number of cyclists, of every variety. How can you complain about that? We were either passing or being passed. Some groups were large enough that we didn’t want to stop and take a picture and be overtaken because it would take so long to pass them again, but everyone, including ourselves, was having a great time.
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The drop down into Merano was stunning. A fantastic view of the city at the top, followed by a series of switchbacks and then excellent signage that took us right into the center of the old town. There was a little bit of wandering about while we found our hotel. The GPS chimed out ‘you have arrived’ when we definitely hadn’t, and we were concerned for a moment that the hotel didn’t look anything like the pictures. We found it a few blocks further down and it is a beautiful old property.
We have wandered around Merano and we really like it. We have had excellent pizza and we really liked that too. We have the next couple of nights booked and don’t have a long cycle tomorrow. The weather forecast is great and we are happy.
Today's ride: 71 km (44 miles)
Total: 517 km (321 miles)
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6 years ago
They must be growing apple trees in their garden...
6 years ago
We have just polished off another wonderful breakfast (no strudel though) and are headed to Trento today.
Kathleen
6 years ago
3 years ago
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