Friday, June 27, 2008

Stage 1, Valpolicella, Grueling First Day Ride

Well, these are real mountains, and todays ride, supposedly one of the "easier" ones, was done in brutally hot weather, with 3000 feet of climbing, lots of fluid loss, etc. It frankly took a bit more out of me that I had wished, though legs feel fine. The scenery was absolutely spectacular, and the descent was great, a combination of technical switchbacks and straight shots where you could really open it up, hopefully didnt burn too much rubber off the brake pads. The post ride dinner was the best so far, at a local restaurant that made fantastic pasta e fagoli, homemade pasta with pesto, and other assorted things such as polenta, etc. Prior to dinner we spent two hours at a local winery and olive oil factory, where I purchased some great grappa for a certain full blooded Sicilian family member.....

1 comment:

Helen said...

3000 ft climbs, olive oil and wine -- you're really there! Hope the ride at Como was smoother (and cooler) today. Just talked to said Sicilian family member via cell (problems with his house phone til they come Monday to fix it, but he's fine with the cell phone for now), and he was reminiscing about the trip to Garda years ago. Everything's good here -- looking forward to some pics.