Category: On the road

Bella Italia

Arriving in Genova
Arriving in Genova

This morning I waved to my new Italian friends and headed off north on road S 45. I savoured the feeling of riding in Italy, only regretting that I didn’t get around to come over when I had my Ducati. The morning was crisp and the view was stunning. Later during the day it got hot as hell though, so I was pleased with my choosen hotell, not only on the Lake Garda shore but also with an pasta resturant.

At lake Garda going for a swim
At lake Garda going for a swim

So today I had pizza for lunch and pasta and red wine for dinner, if I manage a gelato tomorrow before entering Austria my wishes will be fullfilled.

First part done, soon leaving Spain

This year’s Forza tour is divided in 4 parts and now I have already done the first and tomorrow morning I will get on the ferry and hopefully have a good rest and write about it.

Yesterday, I stayed in Benicassim, a pretty town on the coast. I wasn’t able to write anything because I had gotten the offer to store away my bike in the backyard of the hotel, and I forgot the laptop in the top case.

Today I’m in Barcelona and I spent the evening with a friend in my favourite bar, the Cat Bar.

Before I go to sleep, some sweet words about the topcase. Some say it is ugly, I don´t care, it is the best thing that has happened to my packing. It is almost as good as Twoflower’s pearwood luggage case in “The Colour of Magic” by Terry Prachett, except that it doesn’t follow me it follows the bike.

Mission completed

Today I’ve been busy riding. Headed north early to go to the bank – paperwork is a neverending story. It was 32 degrees when I left Alcobendas at 10 o’clock and I thought I was suffering, until I saw a rather large group of militairs, all geared up with helmets and backpacks, apparently ready for day out. At least I had some wind.

Segovia and the aqueduct
Segovia and the aqueduct

I headed up to the mountains and rode some mountain passes where it was nice and cool, even some sprinkles of rain. I really enjoyed myself so I continued up to Segovia and snapped a couple of photos and headed back again. On my way I stopped at the gym for a swim and a visit to the physioterapist. The treatment for my shoulder is now finished, yay!! (for this time at least). Maybe I had overdone it a bit today, I got a nose bleed in the changing room and felt more dizzy than normal after the treatment. Nevertheless, I felt that I’m rather good in city traffic nowadays when cruising back to the centre. After today’s ride I have now done 930 kilometres. On Friday, the ride to Seseña will add 40, that is enough. And when circling around the one way street to get access to “my” square and parking place I can feel the beads of sweat rolling off my back and down between my buttcheeks. My saddle has salty marks. Tomorrow will be another day with 40 degrees, and I’m happy to not have to ride.

looking back
looking back