Italy has been a blast. I’ve ridden every day for the past 9 days, so I’m taking today off as a rest day.
It’s been great having a homebase in Bergamo, even if the locals we talk to all express incredulity at our decision to stay here instead of somewhere ‘nicer’.
The riding here has felt more difficult than when we were in France in 2013, but that’s mostly due to it being hotter, me having a heavier bike, and the time of year being ~2 months earlier in the riding season (i.e. I’m not in shape). Charly’s been doing great on her first time biking in the Alps even if it is “way more difficult” than she thought.
We have just two days left before we have to head to Milan and fly home. Tomorrow is going to be a big day for some of the guys – we want to get in our second century and most elevation gain of the trip as a final hurrah. If successful, that will put me at ~570 miles and 45,000 feet over the last 9 days, or about the distance from Boston to Greenville, North Carolina and 155% the height of Mount Everest!
Hover for captions or click for a larger photo
The funicular to Citta Alta
View from Citta Alta
View from Citta Alta
Inside the city walls in San Giovanni’s cannoniera
Via from the funicular
The most insane hailstorm I have ever witnessed!
A church dedicated to the Madonna of cyclists
Inside the Madonna dei Ciclisti
Cruising the city
On our first ride, before getting caught in epic rain and hail
Where we hid for an hour from the rain and hail (photo taken on a different day)
At the top of the climb
Charly crushing it
“That’s where we came from!”
Urban exploration
Interesting graffiti
A no-parking sign for the Giro d’Italia
Handmade souvenir bicycles from the Giro d’Italia
At the Madonna del Ghisallo, the church of the patron saint of cyling
Inside the church Madonna del Ghisallo
Cycling museum!
The boys head to Lake Como
Cruising the lake on our first century
Getting lost on the way home on our first century
A bike path toward San Pellegrino Terme (home of the water!) and San Marco Pass
The path is an old railroad track, chilly tunnels and all!
San Pellegrino!
More San Pellegrino!
Even more San Pellegrino®!
Italy is beauitful
Just an average bike path in Val Brembana
Old house built into/under the cliffside
Not rich enough to stay here!
Church built in the 1600s
View from the top
View from the top of Passo San Marco at 1,992m
A difficult climb but absolutely worth it!
Great car at the top of Passo San Marco
Just before the descent from Passo San Marco
Our free tour with BGiS Tours – highly recommended!
In the old city or Bergamo, Citta Alta
Mr. Colleoni’s mausoleum that he built into the church
Mr Colleoni’s sigil. Those are not figs….
Just another typically gorgeous Italian street!
Spring-fed water is everywhere around here, and yes you can drink it!
Val Taleggio, our most beautiful ride that didn’t require scaling a 6,000ft mountain
Like a fairytale
I had a hard time pulling Charly away from this house for rent – it even had a bicycle!
From the top of Cantoniera della Presolana
Lago d’Iseo
More beautiful Italian towns, ugh!
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
Temporary Travels 
So envious of this marvelous trip, but I was there in spirit. Could have skipped the big mountain climb, however. No mention of food. How are the Italians with Vegans?