In view of the descent coupled with thunder storms and heavy rain Dylan decided to pull the plug on us doing the remaining ks and after a Grappa and a coffee we got the van for the remaining 50 to 60ks to Bagno di Romagna.
In Bagno di Romagna we met the local mayor, who was most welcoming. He would have only been in his early thirties and was a very keen cyclist. He predicted good weather for the remaining part of our trip and thankfully this held to be true. On the roof of the hotel was a pool where we were able to relax and prepare for the following day, which involved a fairly long climb over a 12km stretch to an elevation of about 1200m. Having made that, it was a fairly downhill run to Rapalano Terme, 120km away. This had the best spa I have ever been in. Natural sulphur springs with a temperature that allowed one to really relax.
The next day's route took us from Rapolano Terme to Sorano. The countryside was truly stunning.
Sorano would have to be truly one of the most gob smacking places I have ever seen or stayed in.
Really not a bad spot to have dinner.
Leaving Sorano, the next day was for me, the most memorable. It was a fine, sunny day and the ride took us along deserted roads through the most stunning countryside. There were just a few hills, but the gradient was never too steep and thanks to Mark, one of our great guides, I remembered to keep myself well hydrated.
From Sorano, it was 111km to Capalbio, a beautiful town, built on a hill, overlooking the surrounding countryside.
The main course for our evening meal consisted of wild boar stew and was noteworthy not only for the meal itself, but for the beautiful surroundings as well.
We started on the last long ride of our journey the next morning, a ride of 154km to Campagnano, just 49km from Rome itself. The last portion of this ride was along a busy narrow road, which had a shocking surface, making it difficult to keep to the side where there were numerous potholes and to venture towards the centre risked being wiped out by motorists. Discretion being the better part of valour and wanting to reach Rome alive, I got a lift for the remaining 24km.
I was looking forward to a nice easy ride of 49km the next morning. Unfortunately, it was not to be, for our course seemed to run via all seven hills of Rome and the final kilometres along a very overgrown bike path, so that to avoid cyclists, runners, walkers and roller bladers coming in the other direction, one had to steer one's bike through head high undergrowth. Finally, riding along the banks of the Tiber, we finally reached out destination, our hotel in the part of Rome known as Trastevere.
This is a view of our hotel from the front.
This is a view of Rome from the rooftop of the hotel
The view down the street
So, a month after leaving London, we had arrived at our destination. I would not have been alone in feeling a sense of accomplishment, but maybe more importantly I had learnt a great deal about myself and about other peoples strengths. I had hoped that in cycling through England, Belgium and France to reach Switzerland and the Gotthard pass, I would have been miraculously transformed from a Labrador into a Greyhound and hence I would have been able to effortlessly climb those hills. That I regret to say did not come to pass, but I know that I will go back to Oz stronger in more ways than one. To my fellow legionnaires, I would like to say a really big thank you. You all taught me a lot. To our guides: Bruno, Ritchie, Fede, and Mark, you were all fantastic and know that if you ever want to come down to the South Coast, 120km south of Sydney, there's a big welcome awaiting you.
To Sam and Dylan, superlatives are not capable of describing your professionalism and the efforts you have put in to make this such a marvellous experience.
Finally, my thanks to all those who have already donated money for Brett Connellan. To those of you who have not had time to do so, I would ask you to consider. From my own experience of having heart surgery twelve months ago, it is often the kindness of strangers that can affect us most and for a young surfer, who had set his sights on a surfing career, to lose most of the quadriceps muscle from his left leg down to the bone, not only at the moment brought him a whisper away from death, but also for the future means he must face so many challenges, both physical and emotional. Money will not only go towards all the rehabilitation that he will need, but also will do so much in knowing that others care.
Just click here: https://www.gofundme.com/24zpbnhd
Thank you.
Patrick
