7 th day - Many summits and reaching a sense of flow ...!

I did not sleep too well but was excited about the days ride. Up early and showered backing up my video we were astounded at the breakfast - it looked pretty dismal when Zmicier and I first arrived that Italian dry toast and jam. We had decent coffee then the waiter came to us and said you like ...ham and ... we of course nodded and Zmicier who speaks Italian responded.
Then they brought out left over Pizza and some cheese. We ate like kings and were storing it up like hamsters not knowing when our next meal would come. Several coffees later we had stands up around 10 we started riding and straight into dirt no warm up time. The ride was down hill but not too steep and nice and twisty with occasional views down the valley and the huge peaks around us gave us glimpses of what we were going to experience later. The first loop up a valley started out as single track bitumen then became dirt. I struggled somewhat and the boys waited for me. We stopped at various vistas to record the moment. Then we were in a short transport bitumen section prior to a huge loop in the mountains again an old military road. The up was more technical than the previous ascent and Zmicier stopped to put some more compression on his rear shock as was bottoming out in water erosion bars. As I was slower than the others I kept on riding. Oh my word superlatives fail me. The road was cut into the side of the mountain perfect difficulty for big bikes - however some big drop offs kept the gaze on the road in front although with such spectacular vistas and views it was difficult to concentrate on riding.
We reached a high point and again were simply blown away by what was presented or unfolded in front of our very eyes. Passing an old military fort on difficult to ride old cobblestone tracks we reached the top. Bit of a traffic jam as quads and 4x4’s had the space but they were soon gone.
Recording the experience we were just shaking our heads in disbelief at what we were seeing agreeing it was. So worth the ride up. After pictures video and more pictures it was time to go down. Now I don’t say this lightly but this was the most difficult and scary descent I’ve ever done on a motorcycle. The deep track almost followed the ski lift with very tight switch backs, but the loose rocky surface gave no traction. In the first 150 metres I was sideways several times as my back brake locked up and bike started to come past me. Then I came around the corner to find Zmicier had crashed. I was stopped in gear in a very steep part of the track and could not assist. Luckily a KTM enduro rider came past an helped him. More of the same and I was shaking and had huge arm pump and stalled and slid several times. Eventually it ended and we came out onto a bitumen rd - the boys turned their bikes back into the TET and more difficult tracks. No way ho say - after that experience and descent ‘my work here was done’ I’m outa here and have a road, The boys had a little chat in Russian & agreed and we rode into the local town parked up and bought up large in a supermarket having missed lunch. Off again water bladders full and a kilo of bananas we headed up for a one way pass to the col de .. at around 3000 m this would be the highest yet and peak f the trip.
It was in this ride and at times during the day I felt a complete sense of flow - totally at one with my bike, not a care in the world. It is a feeling I have been yearning for and finally it came after several thousand kilometres and weeks with my bike in totally different riding conditions and countries.
We are now together as one and understand each other.
We got to within 3 km from the summit and found the track was closed on Thursdays! We went for a walk instead to numerous waterfalls . Afterwards the boys took off to start heading home to Holland.
I camped in the valley in the paddock keen to finish off my TET Italy challenge on a high note. As I write this in my tent I can hear waterfalls and sheep bells tincking in the distance.
They say a shared high or adventure experience brings one together that is certainly the case with Zmicier and Vlad. We embraced as they left like old friends I have a feeling this will not be the last time we ride together.
Tent up back to the Auberge to write by blog, White sheep working dog tried to enter the Auberge several times ears down he knew not to be there! Apparently tries it in every night.
Manager Cristina .. trail advice, cheap beer and shower toilet etc ...
Cooked my emergency meal sardines and Moroccan could cous. Chamomile tea. Nice wild camp spot life is good.