September 27, 2007
September 26, 2007
Day 11 - small ride through Amarone Region
Today was a rain day...so most of us slumbered late and long. Pat, Christi, Deb, Todd and Deb ventured into Verona for the rain, well wind day. Rob and Anne did as well but in a separate vehicle. I walked the vineyards above then later convinced Guy that he needed to go for a ride up this amazing hill behind our winery. It was about 1.5 hour ride yet we climbed 1600 feet, one of our shorter days. We then completed the day with a visit to our favorite in town pizzeria...where Wednesday was PASTA night!!!
Vines over Verona
Day 10 - overcast
September 25, 2007
Degustation Menu
Clocktower Meeting spot
September 24, 2007
Day 9 - cruise around Verona and wine tasting
Today was pretty mellow for all. Rob who is now nursing a broken collarbone from a wipe out in a hot turn on yesterdays decent, put the group in slow motion too.
This mornings breakfast started later for everyone. Guy and I were first to motor out the door as we jumped on our bikes at 11am to track down the bike store. Reaching the store after 12pm, it was closed until 3pm, like all stores in italia.
Guy headed for Verona and I rode for the hills solo. I rode for 2.5 hours and took in about 50K winding through the vineyards just north of our villa. The soft almost tuscan hues were warming to my sole. After climbing for an hour, my bum was notably sore so I headed back.
Upon my return, Todd and I went for a canoe ride on the acqueduct then a spin into town for fromagi and Todd grabbed some gelato. I lead him out for the sprint to the two town signs.
At 5pm the winemaker gave us a tour of his wines, we did kartwheels on the lawn and had a picnic of group gathered foods! Great time!
Tomorrow we seek a mountain pass before the expected storm front moves in.
This mornings breakfast started later for everyone. Guy and I were first to motor out the door as we jumped on our bikes at 11am to track down the bike store. Reaching the store after 12pm, it was closed until 3pm, like all stores in italia.
Guy headed for Verona and I rode for the hills solo. I rode for 2.5 hours and took in about 50K winding through the vineyards just north of our villa. The soft almost tuscan hues were warming to my sole. After climbing for an hour, my bum was notably sore so I headed back.
Upon my return, Todd and I went for a canoe ride on the acqueduct then a spin into town for fromagi and Todd grabbed some gelato. I lead him out for the sprint to the two town signs.
At 5pm the winemaker gave us a tour of his wines, we did kartwheels on the lawn and had a picnic of group gathered foods! Great time!
Tomorrow we seek a mountain pass before the expected storm front moves in.
Our gelato fest
September 23, 2007
Italian Dogs don't know English
Day 8 - Verona to Fane and Lake Guarda
We left our gorgeous winery villa around 10am after an amazing breakfast that included local fromagi, fresh honey made right here at Musella and fresh walnuts picked from the grounds. Wow the combination was splendid, yet Christi commented that the flavor was like eating a chicken mcnugget with honey sauce (I think that is a good thing).
Back to the ride...
Guy and I made like urban couriers heading into Verona, a gorgeous city that was full of people and pagentry. It was a festival and you could feel the joyful spirit in the air. After enjoying a cafe in the square, we mounted our bikes and headed for the hills known for growing amarone! Yum!
We rode a ways, then climbed a ridge above Verona, actually seeing the names of the giro racers on the road...yes, we were on their route and climbing well.
After climbing nearly 3K feet, we quickly look for food as I was hitting a wall and Guy was getting quiet. Yum, a wonderful trattoria that filled our bellies. The help staff was hilarious as we had no languages in common.
From there we motored to lake guardia where you could smell the harvest and the crush of wine in the air. Our real mission to the lake was for Gelato then the 2 hour TT back to our villa.
Guy and I collapsed on the gorgeous soft lawn as the dogs played with us.
We just got wind that Ron Millar in our group, who just joined us yesterday, broke his collarbone on the ride. We are stalling dinner until they return from the hospital.
More to come...
Cafe in Verona
September 22, 2007
Pizza
Muesella Winery Verona
September 21, 2007
Day 7 - passo di gaiu
We left passo falzerengo for the back side of the huge peaks we have awed over for the last three days.
The weather has been nothing but spectacular with clear skies, puffy clouds and days that probably reach mid 60s, which is perfect when you are climbing.
Today was a short 30K day with 3500 feet of climbing and magnificent climbing up the back of Giau and it 29 turns (each numbered) reaching the heavens or just 2233 meters.
Back at the hotel with the most wonderful decent, we pause for dinner at a local gem.
Yes another amazing day in the dolomites. Tomorrow we head for Verona and our winery stay for a week.
Here is the Profiile of this climb featured in the 2007 Giro!
September 20, 2007
Day 6 - 126km 8K feet of gain
We thought the ride would be a mellow three valley ride, but it was a mellow one valley ride with 2 HUGE passes the final summit at 6900 feet. That wasn't so bad until the nearly 4000 foot drop at dusk in shorts at a temperature of around 38 or 40 degrees. I'm now burried in down post a hot shower to warm myself.
Oh and I burned about 3700 calories and ate about 2K. I guess I can have gelato again tonight! Ill have some for you to Cindi.
Ciao!
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