July 18 — Transfer Day
We are leaving Milan to visit the famed Dolomites mountainous region to meet up with Vancouver friends. Along the 450KM journey, we saw Italy morph into a more German-influenced region through the language, unique road signs, street names and food.
For the next three nights.
Sprechen sie Deutsch?
Emotional foreshadowing?
A reward for 1,300 meters of climbing Tre Cime di Lavaredo, and 1,500 calories burned!
July 19 — Leg Test Day
Our first ride here, and what a test of the legs it was. Not a long ride at 55KM, but with 25KM of that pure climbing — at 15% grade for a good portion of the top, made the experience “brutally beautiful” in such a good way. Thanks to our local (and former Vancouver) friend Nicola who made the challenge worth taking all together!
Emotional foreshadowing?
Duration and distance ruled the day.
July 20 — Cross Country Crossing
Who knew we could take a casual ride planned and make it into something special — crossing from Italy into Austria and back again in a day — covering no less than 100KM on the bike? What turned out to be the perfect unexpected training day for what lay ahead in the Alps next week, splitting into three groups each with their own pace and agenda.
Of course we did a cookie/coffee stop once we hit the Austrian border.
