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Chiavari was a pleasant surprise. Behind the (very Italian populated) resort front was an interesting old town, characterised by a grid of arched Roman walkways and cobbled alleyways.
We left Chiavari and cycled back up into the hills. The first couple of kilometres was about a 10% gradient and was very tough, especially before getting warmed up properly.
Thereafter the 'cycle path' we followed took us through various woods on tracks that were, for the most part, really only really suitable for mountain bikes. We were worried about the tyres so we soon left these (poorly maintained) tracks and reverted to the roads. Quiet roads.
After a couple of hours, we started the long climb that was to take us up to a pass from where there was to be a long decent into Genoa. But, at the top of the climb was a dark tunnel. 2 miles long and with a notice saying that cycles were forbidden! (I'm sure this wasn't signalled at the bottom on the climb.) Looking at the map, it was going to be a long way back down the mountain and around by another route. Should we risk it and pedal through? No. Not safe. What to do? We were towards what we thought was the end of the day.
At that moment, we saw another cyclist powering up the hill. In the 'zone' and about to enter the dark tunnel (through which the occasional car sped into). I called out - Speekie English?
I do! said the chap (Sean from Colorado, and twentysomething). He then stopped and we explained the dilemma to him.
Sean had a 'slow' back tyre and did not fancy a long detour. Neither did he fancy taking his chance in the tunnel.
Across the road was a gravel yard with a guy with two front pointed teeth that looked like rat/snake fangs. He had a lorry! We offered him €10 to take us through. No deal. Then €20. No deal. When we got to €30, 'Fang-Man' rang his mate who agreed to take the three of us though on his lorry. The mate arrived on the scene some ten minutes later and ferried us through. This really saved the day.
According to the Strava app., today's 'total elevation' was 4,616 ft.
From there, the long decent into Genoa was really good. There last four of five miles of the run-in info Genoa takes you through a valley crammed with tenements/slums. This goes on and on for a long time until, nearer the sea, it becomes a more 'normal' European city with plenty of really impressive buildings and churches. The historic old town is a warren of tiny streets, just a few feet wide, between six and seven story buildings. These often open out on to plazas and market areas.
In the marina is Massive galleon: The Neptune. It's a full-size replica of a 17th-century Spanish galleon which was built in 1985 for Roman Polanski's film Pirates.
Had a decent meal seafood meal with a nice cold Valentino.
Both of us have been nibbled by mosquitoes.
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Mr Jangut I knew that the EU was corrupt...I think you got off lightly!