 |
| Today's plan is to do this loop clockwise in the hopes of keeping the morning and evening sun out of my eyes. Best laid plans and all that... |
 |
| Includes the famous Stelvio Pass, which I might have to go down, and up, and down again for good measure. |
 |
| The breakfast is as described in the reviews, great |
 |
| And here's my weather prediction: switchbacks under blue skies |
 |
| A pitcher of espresso and another pitcher of steamed milk, blood orange juice, croissant, cheese and fruit. Scrambled eggs are on their way. |
 |
| Hey Matt, maybe you can pick it up for 1 euro? I've seen quite a few abandoned old stone houses way up in the mountains. Imagine an hour drive on switchback roads to get to a grocery store. Even if it was fixed up and awesome, I think you'd be lucky to rent it out for 2 weeks a year. |
 |
| On the way back down I took a picture of this sign. But I didn't have a cell signal to use Google translate to figure out what it says. Turns out it is just a general warning about dangerous curves and lack of guard rails. |
 |
| the sign is located just before this set of switchbacks |
 |
| A bit further down, I pass through this roadblock which wasn't there earlier when I was going up. I guess that's why the workers were angry. They thought I had ignored this. |
 |
| I guess the red circle saying preavviso (forewarning / caution?) and the road work sign combine to mean the road is closed up ahead due to construction? |
 |
| Check out this little hotel under renovation and the interesting crane all folded up in front of it. |
 |
 |
| glaciers |
 |
| the most unbelieveable mountain views. Across a narrow canyon with clear air, the view is so crisp and incredible! |
 |
| and check out this couple. The mom is pulling a Burley trailer with two kids in it (about 2 and 4yo) *up* Stelvio. Yeah, it's an E-bike, but damn! It's still and absolutely incredible feat. |
 |
| check out those switchbacks up ahead! The road just keeps getting more and more incredible, and difficult! |
 |
| I went off the road down there at that turn. I was heading up, carefully rounding the steep upward right turning switchback when an Audi came barreling down the grade. I had 3 choices: A) turn in tight and drop the bike because it is so steep I can't put my right foot down, B) grab my brakes and hope both he can stop before he creams me, C) go wide to the *left* and stop just outside the white line on the ~2ft wide strip of gravel before the drop-off. I choose C and lived to tell about it. The driver of the car, his eyes went really wide as I went left over the edge. |
 |
| It's hard to convey just how vertical this is. |
 |
| I'm over the top. That was the most difficult bit of paved road riding I've ever done in my life. |
 |
| OMG! the ride down the other side is just as good. |
 |
| This might be my favorite picture of the trip |
 |
| A young Italian guy also taking a break at this turn took my picture. He's from Naples and riding a BMW F800R like the one Nicole rented a few years ago in Florence. |
 |
| Agriturism looks like fun visiting farms and sampling their cheese, milk, and butter products on Vespas. Who's joining me? 2nd week of September 2023??? |
 |
| No hand-written menu tonight. I'm going with the Ravioli, Baked chicken, and Catalan cream |
 |
| Similar vegetable buffet with the addition of spinach |
 |
| The Walnut Ravioli |
 |
| The baked chicken and potatos |
 |
| And Catalan cream is creme brulé, yay my favorite! |
 |
| planning the route for tomorrow, looks like a ferry ride across Lado di Como |