Blogs from Dolomites, Veneto, Italy, Europe - page 3

After too may nights at the Yellow Hostel in Rome, we really wanted to get away from the words "Pub Crawl". I didn't realize how badly we really wanted to escape until I thought about to different modes of transportation we used to get to Castlerotto: train from Rome to Bologna, insane winding bus ride through the mountains, mile and a half walk to the outskirts of town with full packs. We probably would have ridden big wheels too, if they were available. I guess we were just going to go and go until it felt right. We were so excited on the bus ride from Bolzano that when we got to our stop we all jumped off the bus and ran into the tourist information office so that we could ask for help finding ... read more

Today was to be my last ride in the big mountains ----it rained all day----it snowed on the Stelvio----I went to the Spa! You see I'm not mad! This Journey has been about awareness: The Diagnosis----The Treatment-----The Ride. THE DIAGNOSIS: These wonderful professionals from Victoria made this ride with me because before them I had trouble walking---riding a bike---forget it. Thanks:Christopher, Casper, Leeanna, & Sheila. THE TREATMENT: The many talented people of Abbott who developed my medication - Humira - , the ever friendly people at Progress (especially Jocelyne) who contact me each month to ensure the delivery of my Humira and of course those mentioned above. You too rode over those Passes with me. THE RIDE: Because I was properly diagnosed and treated I can have a normal life and follow my dreams. The message ... read more

Yesterday was 9 hrs. of winding roads until I arrived at wonderful mountainside hotel BUT I did manage to drive past it the first time--over a snowy, rainy pass and into another town where I was directed to closed down Disco Bar bearing the same name as my hotel-----oh-ooh-oooh! Took some deep breaths and was redirected the 30 km back over the pass to my hotel and a gourmet meal.Sometmes you have to wait a little longer for good things. The sun was shinning this morning and the young man at the desk suggested it would be a good day to ride the Stelvio-----sure just as simple as that. I had planned to fret about it for a few days and then go but this was like a message from above----Passo dello Stelvio was calling! ... read more

Today was another big day - 4 mountain passes reaching altitudes of 2244 m. Starting the day I was more than a little bit nervous. There have already been a number of riding suprises here and I was really apprehensive about encountering another. It's particularly more of an issue when riding alone. Regardless, I found my rhythm after leaving Covara on the first climb up to Passo Compolongo and I felt even more settled and stronger as I ascended Passo Pordoi. Before attempting Passo Sella, I stopped for lunch on the terrace of a most picturesque ristorante nestled beneath an array of raw mountain peaks. ( I have in the past put off eating only to suffer the consequences----bonking---- a situation where you lose all energy are unable to go on , an almost flu ... read more

Well, here we are, its Easter and the four of us are off to beautiful Northern Italy with our very own Italian guide, Carlo, to show us his home. The next few blogs will be able the adventures of Leah, Hannah, Carlo and Laki in Italy! Carlo and I left work early and met Leah and Laki at the Victoria Train Station to catch the Gatwick Express. With only the one minor mishap of Leah and I getting our liquids searched, and then thrown out, we were on our plane (with a bag of Leah’s lollies) - destination: Milan, Italy. Some how we were the last to go through customs and immigration, which meant we had to wait for almost an hour at the back of the queue to get our hire car! However, lucky for ... read more