Northern Italy by bike: To Lake Como

The day after my mountains ride, I headed off, a bit tired, towards Aprica. This would be the last proper climb - up to 1200m- then a massive descent to the valley (Valtellina) below.

After a hot 25km on a busy narrow highway in the valley, I stumbled across a bike path next to the river Adda which was such a delight as it was mostly shady and it opened up the possibility of a swim

Valtellina bike path

The river itself was flowing fast and it was difficult to get down to it but I did find a feed in stream and had a cool down soak

Unnamed cool stream

I followed the path to Morbegno where I stayed in a B&b run by a young Italian couple who loved Australia after their 1 year there in 2011. Rocco had the map of Oz tattooed on his arm! They were so nice and helpful and made the best breakfast of the trip so far ( rye bread, bisciola - a walnut and fig bread, home made jams, and super fresh peaches from Sara's mum's garden.

I took off back to the bike path and was checking the signs when an old codger came up and asked me where I was heading. I told him to Colico on the lake and he said "I'll ride with you". He was awesome, chatting all the way (all in Italian), he kept holding onto my arm in a friendly Italian way, which would have scared the crap out of me except I think he used to be a pro cyclist. I learnt that the best way to be healthy is to drink a little wine, lots of water, chew your food a lot and cycle each day.

Bruno - 87 years old!

Once I got to the lake at Colico I rang the B&B wherre I was going to stay to let them know I was arriving. Eugenio, the owner, said that he would wait for me and then he'd be heading off sailing. I quickly slipped in that I sail and he said, "OK, I wait you and take you with me!". Cool!

When I got there, he had already packed a bag with lunch and water and a towel for me. He handed me a helmet then we zoomed off down to the Marina and Dervio and hopped onto his boat and took off for a leisurely 5 hours of sailing!

I think I just pooped in my pants - he drives fast!

Eugenio - master of sail

Happy Stan

Every boat that sailed past knew Eugenio and he would yell out to them all that he had a Tasmanian on board who had been cycling around Italy and had ridden up the Gavia and Mortirolo passes. Then they would all roar their amazement and I'd feel a bit embarrassed.

Varenna from the water

After sailing, we had the obligatory Aperol Spritzs at the marina bar and then Eugenio asked if I wanted to go our for dinner with him and his friend coming from Milano that evening. Sure!

We went to a restaurant in the next village and the food was great