The penultimate day of my bike tour in Italy turned out to be probably the worst day of the tour so far. I had to choose between either going down gnarly hikings trails or getting out on the highway. Anyway in hindsight, editing these videos in dark and cold November, if I could I’d go back and do that day all over again.
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Another great video, bringing the sun back into a cold Sunday in the UK. Looking forward to Rome! Keep 'em coming!
Being in heavy traffic and hugging the curb and there it is. The dreaded storm grate with wheel grabbing parallel holes. One of those "AHSHITS" of life.
I don't want it to end!
It looks like you found the legendary Percorso della Grotta, the Grotto Route. Okay, I made that up, pretty cool little road. Maybe it was once a narrow gauge railway?
Nothing horrible has happened to me on a bike tour. But I had a really tough day riding in Idaho and Montana while following a defunct railroad grade and discovering that the trestles were gone, as we expected, and we had to ford a river four times. At one crossing we had to take all the gear off the bikes and go back and forth in waist deep water. My companion tossed my sleeping bag into the water, and had to swim after it. We came into West Yellowstone filthy and reeking and went right to a pizza joint. At least it was a nice sunny day. If I went back to do it over, would I take the gravel road on the other side of the river? Yes, but I don't regret going the hard way the first time.
However, I did the Olympic Peninsula one summer, and it rained so much I gave up and had someone come and get me. The rain was almost continuous for several days, and I was headed into a rain forest, the Hoh, which is even wetter. And I bailed on another tour with a case of strep throat. But still, I managed to find much pleasure on those rides.
It is a cold and windy day here and watching this ride, tough as it was, makes me hope for a quick winter and getting back on the bike.
Hi Mike, Another great video. Best wishes, Peter
08:58, you experienced cycle travel in Brazil! We have no cycle paths, except in towns. 🙄
Wow! your in total beast mode in this one Mike some pretty tight spots. You'll certainly be in great shape for the upcoming hockey season! Another great short doc. Also loved the music in this one … thanks Mike for taking us all along for the ride. 🎥👏👏
Great attitude and resilience ✔
I've always maintained that the rough patches of a travel are the price of admission to wondrous things we get to experience.
Highway riding is bloody awful but is sometimes a necessity. Obviously the less the better.
I deserve brownie points have seen this video 3 times
thanks Mike for another great video, traffic can ruin a great day, that cave road was really cool though
Enjoyed it mike, some days are just like that I guess. Beats the cold weather here for sure👍
Great video. You gave us a calm vibe despite your anguishes.. Did you not find any wild camping spots in Italy? When I was there it was difficult to find them but they were usually better than the campsites 😄 👍
I try to stay off traffic roads as much as possible. Fortunately where I live there's a great system of bike trails that can take you pretty far
A pleasure to ride with you.
Thanks for sharing Mike. Looking forward to the next episode.
The best part about highway riding is when it’s over. 😆 Good stuff Mike.
Great work as always! We're hopefully headed back into Italy in a month or two, covid depending of course!
I don't like seeing him in such a hostile and dangerous places…
Hi Mike, what is the helmet you are using here? Is it the black version of your Giro Fixture or a different one?
Love the video! The narrow roads in some spots are a bit nerve-racking but good if there is respect on the road overall from motorist.