It was hard leaving such a good hotel 3 star but I would have given it more. Breakfast was huge and I ate like a hampster not knowing when my next meal would come.
Was starting to feel tired and had not eaten well since breakfast, the rest of the route looked very steep and many turns with a ferry crossing across a lake to look forward to. I will be back in familiar territory as was at Verbania when I first arrived back in Italy from Switzerland a couple of days ago.
Although I only rode 96 km today it was a 100% committed ride the whole time. A tough day mentally so decided to do the usual Google camping and voila here I am.: ‘
Camping Trelago,
Via Trelago, 20, 21030 Ghirla VA, Italy Sat on an old boat after a quick swimming a freshwater lake.
Also reminding myself that I’m still in holiday and it’s not a marathon or race.
The first part of the route was on old military roads and went up high above lake Como up to around 1690 m. The views down to the lake were simply sublime. Stopped a couple of times and it was 20-30 km hr riding in first and second gear. Could have ridden faster however Italians ... and met several vehicles.
Stopped at the first refuge Alp Di Colombo Rifugio for coffee and shared pics with couple of close friends.
Took the optional 6 km diversion to the top, absolutely stunning views and a walker offered to take my pic so used both phone and camera - I hope they come out. Set up both video cameras and had them running for the descent which was very committing with big drop offs...
The descent once back on the main track was again slow going ruts and holes in the track.
Then the route took us back into Switzerland along the side of Lake Lugano - a Red Ferrari was on my side of the road on a series of 180 degree switchback bends descending into Switzerland. Which had pretty scenery but awful traffic - witnessed accident, woman on the deck bike on front of me stopped and did traffic management.
Ran out of steam around 3.30 at Swiss Italy border. Ate some junk food which was all I could find but not ideal. Then the route ascended steep mountains again, I passed a couple of closed roads determined to stick to the route, that felt good. Started to get off route and my up until then reliable I phone app was iffy and took a moment in the shade. I tried to backtrack ended up in an old village one vehicle wide streets. Took a very steep old cobbled rd which ended in a parked car. I just got past otherwise the alternative would not have been good. Looked at the map it was invisible small villages and no visible camping sites or food within a couple of hours hard riding. It was time to Google Camping at was 15 minutes away from the closest camp site, it feels good to be back in Italy.
Ate at the camp site cafe manager recommended Pizza so went for vegetarian it was excellent. Some good video but the one I really wanted failed, mmmm want to swear but the blog site will edit it out. FARC.
Weather looks wet tomorrow... may have to revise my plans will see however tomorrow is another day ...
Update rained heavy over night, huge yellow snails are everywhere and stood in one in the night. Up early and off to the cafe to
Update blog and use my 2€ token. Sky is blue so all is good can handle rain st night. Cafe owner just delivered me a coffee.