Day 16 - Into Milan

I don't know what to say today. Last ride of the tour. Today was the 16th day of the tour and 15th riding day. It's been a fabulous trip. Great sights, great roads and great traveling companions.

As you can see on the chart below, today we had some headwinds. The temperature was pleasantly warm and fairly flat over the 70 miles / 112 km.

Most of the ride was in rural areas where the road conditions were a mixture of good roads or broken asphalt and on occasion crushed gravel. All very rideable. Over the course of the tour, we have fallen into a predictable routine; breakfast at 8 AM, on the road by 9ish, coffee at about 1/4 through the ride, Lunch at 1/2 way point and at 3/4 Ice cream. Most days the ice cream stop couldn't be located however. Finally into the hotel by late afternoon. 

Ride length varied. From as short as 46 miles to a bit over 70. When I get home, I will do a better calculation of the ride total, but the pre-ride calculation showed 878 miles. A pretty respectable ride distance.

We saw quite a bit of different agriculture. Lots of corn from France all the way through Austria as well as grapes. Italy had an astonishing amount of apples of all kinds, harvested corn and grapes.

We found the very best roads in Switzerland (roads like butter as smooth as velvet). Italy had many interconnected roads but like roads in the US, not well maintained.

Weatherwise, we all felt that we picked a good time of year for the ride. Comfortable temperatures in France, Germany, Austria and Switzerland with only a couple of rainy days. The most challenging weather was the two days of crossing the Alp. Crossing into the Italy the weather was wonderfully warm and the probability of rain normally low.

Already, plans being considered for a reciprocal ride in the US. Many thanks to Yan and Eduard that planned and lead the ride. The Americans are heading to the the four winds at this point whereas Eduard and Jan will drive the rentals to Paris to return the bikes to the Paris Bike Company, before heading to Belgium to return the van and finally Jan heads back to Holland. 

Today's Photos

Brian

brian@coxintl.com