September 9, 2018
Trentino - Glorious Ride Down the Etsch
Bolzano to Trentino
We had a glorious ride down the Etsch today. It was a bluebird day, topping out at 30 degrees and we loved every minute of it. We spent the night in a sweet little apartment in the center of Bolzano which had a washing machine. What a score that was. The apartment was associated with the Hotel Regina and we were there for breakfast. They also offered to supply us with a take away lunch for a few Euros and since it is Sunday that seemed like a good idea.
Heart | 2 | Comment | 0 | Link |
Heart | 2 | Comment | 0 | Link |
Heart | 2 | Comment | 0 | Link |
Leaving Bolzano on a Sunday the bike path was busy with every kind of bike you can imagine with families with children, roadies, supported tourers, unsupported tourers and mountain bikers. Just when things were settling down there was a road race and the volunteers were valiantly keeping the cyclists from running over the runners. It was fun to watch.
Heart | 1 | Comment | 0 | Link |
We carried on until we came to a lovely trail side stop which was full of cyclists. We met a couple from the Netherlands who are out for a month and had a great visit with them. We leap frogged each other all day.
Next up was Newmarkt, which was recommended to us by the friend we met in our hotel in Bolzano. It made a perfect stop for cappuccinos and strudel. With whipped cream and ice cream of course. Imagine our surprise and absolute pleasure when he and his group rolled in to the same spot. We hope we meet again even though we are now branching off in different directions.
Then we just spun for many happy km. The pictures can only give an idea. They never do justice to the real thing. It was such an amazing day.
Lunch was at a shady bench trailside. Keith and I both tried to end the tour ignominiously by tripping on a bike rack where we stopped, first me, then him. I managed to catch myself with minimum drama, just a scare, but he got one ankle caught in the bike rack and for a moment we both thought that could be it. Fortunately he was able to grab a tree and save himself. It isn’t like we didn’t know the bike rack was there! We were having such a good conversation with Bernd and Carmen from Nuremberg, Germany that it blended right into the asphalt I guess.
Heart | 1 | Comment | 0 | Link |
What a ride it was today. After our lunch we just enjoyed the experience and the ride. It felt so good. No navigation necessary, no cars allowed and glorious sunshine. It just doesn’t get any better. All too soon we were in Trento.
Heart | 3 | Comment | 0 | Link |
Our hotel is absolutely full of bike tourers, all that we could see, on supported tours. Companies that we have heard of like Eurobike, and many we haven’t. We counted over sixty bikes in the garage and the tours were still rolling in. Build the bike path and they will come. I wish we could figure that out at home. It is a huge part of the tourist industry here.
Heart | 2 | Comment | 0 | Link |
Heart | 1 | Comment | 0 | Link |
We went for a walk in the old town and had a great dinner outside in the pedestrian zone. Then, walking back to the hotel we discovered an open air concert directly across the street in the piazza. We sat and enjoyed it for awhile, great music, and are now in the room with the balcony door open enjoying it. We don’t imagine it will go on too late, and it is a pleasure to listen to. The musicians are very talented.
Today's ride: 71 km (44 miles)
Total: 717 km (445 miles)
Rate this entry's writing | Heart | 8 |
Comment on this entry | Comment | 5 |
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago