An early start, and right into the climb to Stelvio Pass. I should have known from the first hairpin turn that this would be a challenge....and it was. These hairpin turns are incredibly tight and very steep uphill climbs don't make it easier. It takes all my concentration to get the entry of each turn right, and I have to force myself to remember to look "through" the turn, not into it. By keeping my head up and focused ahead I sweep through the turns. Then it's a short blast to the next turn and do it all again, and again. There are signs with numbers for each turn, supposed to be 38 of them on the way up, but it seems like 138 to me. I am not really enjoying this, as my bike is loaded with too much gear, making it a real handful in the turns, and much of the weight is up high - it wants to fall over in the turns. Sport bikes out for a blast are passing me. Touring bikes with passengers are passing me. I survive this ordeal of course, and get to the top of Stelvio Pass, and there is not very much up there to see, some cafes and restaurants, and an increasing number of other riders of all types. The ride down, after a brief rest is much easier.
Somewhere around here I crossed over into Italy, and started moving South, after a day of traveling East to get out of Switzerland and into Italy. Now I am in the North of Italy, lake country with beautiful valleys. Prices are now reasonable, away from the insanity of the Swiss Franc.
I stop at a beautiful restaurant for lunch and then continue on towards Verona, which takes the rest of the day. Verona is a huge touristy city, and I am not in the mood, so I get a room at an Ibis Hotel on the outskirts. That evening, I find a nice restaurant for pizza, beer and salad and ride back to the hotel with a buzz.
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