We both wanted to get back on our bikes again for our summer holiday. I had tentatively persuaded Barbara, that she'd enjoy the mountains. She could take her time and slowly conquer the high passes, breathe the clear air, linger over the views, blah blah blah. I promised R&R by the shores of Lake Como. She agreed. Implicit in the agreement, was that, in terms of food and accommodation, we would not be mean to ourselves. I booked flights, outward to Friedrichshafen, Germany, inward from Bergamo, Italy.

We certainly weren't quick, and overall didn't cover much ground but it was spectacularly beautiful ground and we did climb three 2000m+ passes. We were not at all mean to ourselves and in spite of the effort required, enjoyed ourselves enormously. What follows is what happened.