Last day Rome - We started the day with a climb (be rude not to really) 🙃🚴♀️. 4% average for a couple of km, so not to difficult really, the heat was stifling!
We started the last climb of the trip, some 5 - 6km at an average of 5.5%, the first part was easy, then we had a nice down hill section, followed by an 11/12 degree uphill section. I got about 4km in & ran out of water, stopped at shop bought 2 bottles and tipped one over my head (as you do). 💦
Cycling 🚴♀️ into Rome, I would say is one of the hardest things I have ever done. I stayed with Rob, Jo, Dave & Andy, and was very relieved that I did. 40o heat & crazy Italian traffic, not the best mix. We did stick to the bike lanes where possible.
Today we covered some 44 miles (71 km), 3.600 ft (1.100 m) of ascent. I discovered today that this trip is as hard as the Lands End to John O"Groats trip 😱 and I'm not planning on doing that. It's just that Italy gets very warm & the UK gets very wet/windy/cold weather.
I've met some of the nicest people this week. I can't name them all, but they have all contributed to a great week - thank you. Most evenings I have had supper, with Steve, Jo, Chris, Rob, Paul & Richard - great company & we have had a lot of laughs. Usually concerning a bottle of Chianti 🥰🤣
Our guides Tina, Seb, Jayne & Chris - all incredibly supportive - thank you. 🥰
My observations for this trip
- If you are doing this trip on a bike, wear padded cycle gloves.
- Tubeless tyres very useful!
- Tyrolean Knodel (Meatballs/Dumplings), are imo delicious, especially in a rich tasty tomato 🍅 soup
- Bike paths in the bits of Germany & Austria I went through are great, the Italian ones are superb! In many cases the cycle paths are in better condition than the roads.
- The further south you go in Italy, the worse the road surfaces 🕳️.
- Italian plumbing 😱
- Italian bike shops are wonderful, no fuss, just get the job done & charge a reasonable price 🥰.
- Italian drivers very politely let you out of a junction & then drive within a cm to get past you (very scary) 😱.
- Food - deliciousness everywhere- what to have 😋.
- The Italians make the best gelato 🍨.
- Germany, Austria, Switzerland & Italy (apart from Rome) are not covered in rubbish, people respect the environment.
Thank you for being on this journey with me, I hope you have enjoyed reading my blog. Please leave a comment, your email address won't be published 😊.
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So this is the final blog all good things come to an end they say.
You did well to cycle in that heat and the Rome traffic
Thank you for all you kind words & comments, they have been much appreciated x
Wow- what a finish and what a journey. I was worried at the start when you had rain. Having read the more recent blogs I am wondering if that would have been preferable to the stifling heat!! Well done you. Enjoy your last evening drinking the wine 🍷
Thanks Kaz, it was an amazing trip. Not sure I can look at a bike for a few days 😱. Weather extremes seem to be the norm for my trips 🤣
What a brilliant and challenging trip and what an amazing , fit and resilient woman you are , coping with everything and always seeing the positives.
Trying to submit this but I keep failing the robot test!
Thank you Bridget, that’s very kind of you. I hope you are having a great time
Well done Wendy you done great to do the ride in all weathers and I enjoyed reading the blog 👏👏
Congratulations on completing the trip. Sounds a challenge with the extreme heat and hills and traffic. You did fantastic and deserve a earned huge gelato 🍧 and glass of wine 🍷 xx
Thank Hazell. I hope you are enjoying your trip. Wine was good & gelato delicious 😋
Well done Wendy 👏👏👏 I think the biggest surprise to me is that there’s bike lanes in Rome 😳 I barely dare cross the street when I was there due to the traffic!
Thank you Damien.
We are on the outskirts of Rome, the cycle path network not to bad really, as long as you avoid people, kids, dogs, trees, scooters, rubbish & an odd assortment of other stuff
What a lovely way to end the trip - sounds amazing. Seems you’ve learned lots and met some lovely people . Stay safe xx
Thanks Donna, great trip, lovely people x
Congratulations on completing the ride Wendy. Glad that you made it to Rome in one piece. Time now to leave the bike in the stables for a while and take a well earned rest.
Thanks for all your wonderful observations and photos. I really appreciate all the information you've given. Hope to see you on the road one day.
Thank you Nigel. I hope you enjoy it.
Well done Wendy, sounds like you had a great trip
Tough but good Maureen. I hope you enjoy it
Really well done Wendy impressive! Blog has been excellent I feel like I have accompanied you on your journey - all from my armchair 🤣🤣🤣
Thanks Lesley, I’m glad you enjoyed the blog. See you soon xx
Congratulations on an amazing achievement Wendy. Sounds like a particularly tough last day. I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog as always. Safe travels home and see you soon xxx
Well it sounds like you have had a wonderful time, and blessed with fine weather (mostly). As ever, enjoyable reading your daily updates and getting insights into areas I'm unlikely to visit (well not on a bike). Safe journey home.