Day 5 TET
The previous night I went to the pub owned by Frank & Fenice he was a real laugh. Pub La foglizzo also served food so I had salmon pasta. They told me about an Orange throwing cultural carnival similar to that of tomato throwing in Spain (see picture on wall) it looked like really good fun but oranges hurt more than tomatoes and they showed me pics of serious bruising.

Eating brekky little B&B small village. Owners son Riccardo has just dropped in to show me my omelette

One more pod coffee. Change into gear time. Bike safely parked in owners garage - being picked up soon to retrieve bike. Heading into last couple of days riding TET abut oh so awesome we go up to almost 3000 metres on old military roads. May camp wild ... so will stock up on route.

Sun baking on back as on verandah as typical Italian sounds of two stroke three wheelers and small mopeds pass the street outside.

Pigeons cooing and sat on roof across rd old wooden shutters on the buildings. I observed the house next door was abandoned and looked like Pigeons had moved in big time. Gathered my washing.

Set off with Riccardo after a big brekkie and several coffees to get my bike. We went to the pub first to have an expresso he insisted on paying. Then Riccardo wanted to take a picture with my bike and his bike a Beta 125 cc I took it for a spin around the square much easier to throw around than my monster. Back to the B&B and packed said my good bye.

Set off and within 5 mins was in the dirt got lost deep silty bull dust turned around several times... ! headed back to bitumen as the trails were not big bike friendly and could see on map more of the same.

Met and chatted to some local walkers who took my picture and some video.

Met three TET riders in Pratiglione

Alexey Mikhaylov Russian based in Germany. Vladimir Klevko and

Zmicier Zaleznicenka - Belarus both live in the Netherlands.

We decided to ride together ... at one high point we had to turn around due to locked gate big detour but awesome views and a Dutch windmill on top of the hill.

Made it to Refugio Alo Soglia around 1700 m awesome trail tough full gas in pegs hard ride up.

All had to get fuel the 1150 GS running in air so we had to lean her over.

Boys said Views stunning, mind blowing, tan out of words to describe, the vista was sure a sight to behold and worth the very hard ride up.

Finished riding at 9 pm at night camped as trail was dirt onwards my lights are simply awful (put in over power globes and they melted the reflectors).

We cooked together and shared food, Camomile tea and bed at 11 my work here is done. Feeling sharp (dry camp) awoke at 7 am - yes I was rather tired after 11 hour riding - totally complete but was a memorable day and the camaraderie was just what I needed to boost my enthusiasm.