PmB Motorcycle club 10th anniversary tour (part 3)
This was the first thing I saw when I woke up at our hostel @ Riva del Garda
After a poor breakfast we jumped on our bikes in order to make it to Torino. The first km around the lake Garda's beauty were so sweet.
Later we all were already tired enough after relatively long rides back to back on a daily basis hence we decided to be kind to our buts and take the autostrada in order to reduce the hours exposed to the saddle's "comfort". It was really funny to watch us doing our "yoga" while eating the miles on the straight and boring af toll road, only to change all body positions possible while keeping control of our bikes. Fortunately we all arrived safe, each in one piece. My good friend Antonello offered to be my host at Torino for the next days and undoubtedly I couldn't have a better one. Most people know Torino for its industrial heritage but actually this city has much more to offer. It's got one of the biggest urban parks, an insane amount of water springs and...mama mia...those aperitivos...you know that Italian trend - with just few euros more on your first drink they give you the ultimate weapon in a bar: a dish with free access to their buffet. Two stomachs required: one to survive and the other exclusively dedicated to the hedonistic side of the whole thing. I won't forget the scene when I had like two or 3 rounds of food at a place when the waitress comes and tell us "Pizza's ready in 5 minutes". Now you might wonder as so many others do how I stay fit. Aussie friends of mine once gave me the answer: "You've got hollow legs - that's where the food goes".
Torino's beauty doesn't end there though. It's surrounded by amazing places and great rides to get to them. After Antonello's suggestion I decided to do Pian dell Mussa, a beautiful plateau North West of the city. The ride was nice and the place as well without any doubts.
My eyes had enough green, my bike had enough bends on tarmac and a bit of gravel by the river, the weather looked like it could rain any minute so I decided to make it back to Torino. Luckily I did so without much drama weather wise.
As if we hadn't done enough riding yet, Antonello proposed me to do together the Assietta route, a famous gravel road - must do in case you are around. Of course I jumped from joy on the idea though the weather forecast was quite questionable. So, next morning finds us leaving Torino behind heading West. As soon as we reach the National Park of Orsiera Rocciavre we take the gravel road that climbs up the mountain. We soon find ourselves at a considerable elevation on misty gravel switchbacks.
I was too busy being happy for doing it to allow any negative thoughts hence the fear of potential rain while riding a heavy bike on gravel with street tires didn't bother me. Besides, I was told that this route is part of Giro di Italia so if guys do it on bicycles I wouldn't dare to play the adventurous guy riding a motorised one. We made it up to Colle delle Finestre at 2176m
We continued higher until we managed to reach the Colle dell'Assietta @ 2472m
We were still happy and fortunately dry. After we filled our eyes and memories with epic views we started the way down to more sane temperatures and roads with better grip. Still we had to do a significant part of downhill gravel.
All great except that the first drops of Assietta's rain didn't hesitate to appear to kiss us goodbye. We were praying that the clouds had no thunders to offer at least. No fun to experience something like this up there riding a big metal thing. The road started feeling muddy while we still weren't close enough to the tarmac. At some relatively steep part, I loose the front wheel as it dipped in a puddle of mud. The handlebar goes full right, I put my foot down and save it last minute from what felt like a guaranteed fall. Without further drama we finally reach the tarmac and make a stop to the first town.
Torino days were over and as sad I was to leave good friends back there I was excited at the same time to have Verona as my next destination being my first time there. This would be my meeting point with Alexandra, a beautiful, kind, introverted and self prisoned Croatian who was eager to take the train from Padova and show me around. I arrive first, try to find a place to stay but in the heart of summer everything was booked. A kind receptionist called another hotel to ask their availability and I end up there with an overpriced room. Cheap and Verona don't go together anyway. Snob and Verona do. I meet Alexandra at the train station and the way she was treated later at a cheese store from the owner because she ordered a small piece of cheese was unthinkable. She kindly walked me around the city and yes, I was so lucky to have such a guide.
Alexandra being religiously religious led me to Basilica di san zeno maggiore and I'm glad she did as it is a masterpiece. When we arrived there they were closing but her ultra kind voice melted the receptionist who actually allowed us for free!
Alexandra treated me with local cheese and other goodies she bought from a deli earlier and we consumed them by the river while chatting. I then escorted her up to the train station and made my way back to my hotel as early as possible. Next day I had to ride all the way up to Ancona to catch the ferry to Greece and the traffic was expected to be a nightmare as Italians would rush to reach the beaches. I was the first to make it for breakfast, put half of the stuff in my pockets to save time and eat them later, jump on my bike and start my time trial. Yes the traffic was heavy but I arrive early enough. As soon as I step on the deck I take a last picture of Italy
The trip was on calm sea and the deck offered me 50 shades of sunrise as we were entering Greece. Here's 3 of them:
Feel free to let me know which one you prefer in the comments. My pick is number 2.
3 hours after sunrise we reached the port of Igoumenitsa.
It's a sweet place but I would disembark at Patra instead since I had to ride up to Athens. Semi exhausted but so happy and rich in experiences I leave the ferry and ride the last 230ish km back home.
Here's the map with (almost all) routes:
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Thanks everyone for following and supporting, I hope you enjoyed "riding" with me. Stay tuned! More great stuff to follow soon ;)