I'm going for a ride

Today at 1:30 pm, 48:44 hrs of riding time, I arrived to my parents house. This picture captures a bit of the surprise and the moments of confusion (they didn't recognize me) the "Trip" was over to this point. Thank you all for following me along, I promise that this isn't over yet. I'm gonna take some days off to plan the next trip and enjoy this magical event. Dream on my friends.

Two days from reaching the goal  Tomorrow I should be by Turin, and that would be the last night of the trip. Now, I'm wildcamping by the river Po, enjoying the nature and the calmness. Not all roads are meant to be ridden There has been many times where I had to walk for a while along with the bike. This time the grass was too high, I didn't mind, instead I enjoy those walks a lot, everything is even more slower, mindful and effortless. 

Accompanied with intruders Last night I decided to leave the panniers outside, and surprise of mine they were full of ants. Tried my best, I thought I had them all out, but I guess I didn't. At lunch, in the restaurant when I got my jacket off, I saw one walking from it towards the table, I was amazed. Every time I opened the bags, couple of them would show up, even here at the B&B. I hope they enjoyed the ride! A coffee makes the day better I woke around 6am, one hour later I was back on the road. It was gray, but no wind and the clouds very high - good sign, no heavy rain. Didn't make coffee knowing that a few kilometers from for sure I will find a coffee shop, come on its Italy! But today was different, the road plotted was unpaved, some covered by high grass, giant pools and so on. The nature was beautiful, I seen countless wild rabbits, a community of Coypu , and many others. I lost track a few times and rode wrong directions as well, all part of the adve

Wild camping close to Moscona   Too tired to write about  Too many things so say, but too tired to concentrate and develop a story. All I can say that today was a beautiful day, not so cold nor so hot, I rode most in the country side, some difficult off-roads but they are better that busy streets full of trucks and unfriendly drivers. Tomorrow the bad weather is back so I reserved a room, most likely I'm gonna get wet again. That's all for today folks! Good night. 

Arena di Verona The end of the storm It was about 7° Celsius, the humidity very high and of course nothing dried overnight. I woke up around 5:15 am, it was still dark, but it took very long time to get everything together. The shoes and jacket were wet still, it took me lots of courage to get them on. Winelands  The beauty of the after kept me riding, even though I was already tired. The wind was against pushing me back.  Verona, center of chaos  The Great Escape of Verona was few times by far more intense than Vicenza. No doubt it is a breath taking city, but that's where my phone and its apps stopped working. I got lost.  Camping at the Lago di Garda Finally arrived, this lake is like an ocean, so beautiful. I ate a pizza by the coast then my body needed to rest. 

The Great Escape from Montebelluna  I woke up around 7 am, the rain still like the day before but this time some unwelcome guest joined the party: Wind. Breakfast at the hotel was descent but it didn't meet my quota of calories needed for challenging these two (rain+wind=low temperature). The gentleman at the front desk looked at me like " why do you do this to yourself? " , he couldn't resist to ask: - this is sport or pleasure?- - Na! Just a dream of mine. - But I should've say " I don't know dude, I'm just a masochist".  Around 9 am I was back under the water, the Bikemap app, as usual, keep on giving me errors, I had to stop every once in a while, reset the program, check if I still was on the path, plus deal the water falling on the waterproof screen protector and not responding to my finger touch. But finally I found a way to make it work,  Ah Domenica! Of course, Sunday. Nothing is open to stop and eat, but the markets

Angels to the rescue  I was visited by two angels back in the Ranch, so spontaneous that it took me by surprise. They helped me to mend my mistakes and then Puff! They were gone. Thank you for the short visit! The elements can test you, hardcore! The rain is beautiful, it is life falling from the skies, but when you want cross along a country and it does not stop, I hate it... It was fun earlier today, but during the day it got heavier and colder, the waterproof shoe-covers, pants and jacket they gave up after while. I felt defeated being the whole day under water, I ended up in a hotel, everything is hanging so I hope dryes for tomorrow. The forecast says tomorrow would be worst than today but gone by Monday. 

Nature, good food and beautiful weather. Couldn't ask for more, the snow is all gone, the green is so vibrant and birds sing their lungs out. The fact that I can't use my camping stove, forces me to look where to eat, and provably it was meant to be, the rural Italian food is amazing. I was served 3 dishes, spaghetti prego, with melanzane grigliate, salame, prosciutto, and formaggio. Of course with a beer (I should've asked for wine, like everyone else, but the electrolytes!), finishing up with a coffee. Later, some heavy clouds rushed me to deviate 20km to a ranch. First shower of the trip and juice for my electronic devices.

Today was a schooling day, so many mistakes! I guess they are part of adventure now... I lost my hat, I guess I gotta buy a new one on the way.   Yesterday I bought a sleeping bag on sale, grabbed the wrong size. Stove gas don't work, I guess no caffee tomorrow Navigation App doesn't work anymore, and I'm paying for the service. However the weather and the panorama is incredible, the feeling of total freedom is amazing. Tomorrow will be better.