Cycle Touring

Venice...

We made it - trip complete! On monday we descended from the mountains through some fantastic scenery following a deep wooded valley. The traffic got more and more interesting the further we went. Including a terrifying experience in a 1.3km tunnel. We got to Treviso - a bustling walled town - but few hotels except near the hospital and after a lot of searching. Exhausting after 105miles! Yesterday was the last stage, a short, not unpleasant, hop to campsite in mestre close to airport and venice. We spent late morning hunting for cardboard and had great success with TNT, where a nice bloke supplied us with 2 huge bike sized boxes! We spent the late afternoon mooching in venice then came back this v early morning to see venice wake up. Pretty marvelous! This afternoon we'll tackle getting us and bikes to airport and the packing...

Misurina

Well we made it! 1060miles. We've been here 3 nights in this superb location - a wonderful lake surrounded by stunning mountain peaks. We've done a couple of via Ferrata routes both of which were stunning. Tonight we're cycling up the 'hill' to Rifugio Auronzo where we'll spend the next 2 nights and do some more mountain routes. Hopefully the weather will improve as its drizzly yet today... But fine for spending time in a nice cafe.

Corvara... And into the Dolomiti

Well we've almost reached the destination. Probably about 50km to Misurina - altho still a couple of passes to go. Today we had 2 climbs upto 2239 and 1875. It was almost snowing at the top of passo pordoi so a chilly descent! Oh yes and the scenery is STUNNING! At least it is when you have time to look up while negotiating hair pin bends.

Milestones

In the last 24 hours we've past four major milestones. First was an 1800m descent (i kept expecting to hear a splash), then entry into italy which is our final country, then a continuous 1400m ascent (Blimey) followed by the crossing of our 1000th mile on this trip! A dutch guy we met today wished us a good vacation, which was definitely ironic at that moment. Still next week there'll be plenty of time for relaxing, i am told ;). Tarah for now.

Swiss alpen climbing...

Writing this at 2315metres and a bit. We've just completed the abula pass and now having breakfast just above the summit. A beautiful climb little traffic and spectacular views. Today we're heading to a place called glurns and italy...

Country ticking...

We're now in Liechtenstein. After coming out of the black forest, we ambled around the amazingly popular lake Bodensee with our first view of the alps and through to austria and then switzerland from there we took a 'scenic' route up into the hills which wound its way up through architypal swiss villages and stunning views of the lake below. After heading back down to the valley we went back into austria and then Liechtenstein. Which is a tiny place all based around one valley. We seem To be in the only campsite in country - yes you guessed it - surrounded by high mountains!

Black forest but no cake ...yet

We were somewhat loath to leave Strasbourg this morning but after a final croissant, coffee and baguette each (large quantities of food now standard) we dragged ourselves across the pont de europe into germany. The network of bike paths is great here but they get a bit dull (and there are just too many grannies) so we headed up up into the black mountains to highest point so far of 1057m.

Strasbourg!

Well we made it. An early start and we're now sitting in a cafe after sorting a hotel and bike parking. The last stretch into the city was through wide lovely rolling hills, covered with not vines but corn. Still, at least it didn't look like shropshire as much of the lorraine region does! Right now neither of us feel very up for siteseeing or shopping. But maybe after a few more boissons...

And back into france

Yesterday seemed to be fete day across this region of europe. Poss because of bastille day? Anyway we went thru 3 fetes 2 in belgium and one in luxembourg. The 2nd one in belg was a really nice rural farm show. It even had guess the weight of the donkey! We got sampled the local hot saucisse and the local cidre. Then it was onwards into Lux an odd but pretty place. Like a place that didnt want to be interfered with. Also we never quite worked out what language they spoke! Like a cross between german and french. We left lux this morning and crossed into germany (fortunately stocking up on bread and things first) somewhere in the riesling region - so we got a bottle! We wizzed thru germany and now back into france heading to strasbourg. Rough camping 2 nights in a row 85 and 95 miles respectivly. Feeling tired and grubby!!

Market festival in jamoign, belgium

We're now sitting in the main square having waffles and coffee while being serenaded by a belgian band singing frank sinatra songs... Badly! Yesterday was great - the ardenne is lovely deep forested valleys a few long hills but mostly flat and managed 104miles. So celebrated with a beer at the top of the last climb looking down the valley below.