They've re-paved much of the narrow mountain lane, so it's now a joy to descend as well as climb. Previously you had to hold the brakes with a death grip all the way down, lest you get a flat, slide down an embankment, or simply rattle your teeth to death. It was cloudy and cool so thermal runaway wasn't a problem- perfect day for climbing through dense forest. At the top it opens up into alpine meadows, with great views of surrounding villages apparently floating in a sea of prosecco vineyards. The descent was very long, because after you reach Combai you continue downhill several more kilometers through Miane and on toward Cison Valmarino. I was happy to reach some rolling hills again so I could warm up a little.
Next time I'm out this way I'll try Valdobbiadene to Rifugio Mareich, Pianezze to Casera Budui, then down to Combai. Should be a blast.
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| Hazy view toward Revine Lago, Passo San Lorenzo (on right), and Monte Pizzoc in background |
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| Combai (400m) seen from 1200 meters |
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| Guia (Valdobbiadene), with its famous prosecco vineyards |
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| My neighbor Silvano has noticed me riding a lot and is determined to slow me down. When I got home he handed me this freshly made ciambella cake. |
Ciambella cake----Yum! Better do more riding!
ReplyDeleteOk Bill, cut it out, I'm finding myself looking for property in Italy and each new blog makes me switch areas that I'm looking at. Are there any ugly areas of Italy you could bike in?
ReplyDeleteBob Williams
And did you have to throw in the cake photo? Never knew you had such a mean streak....
ReplyDeleteBob Williams
Love the blogs, Takes away some of the stress of the day seeing the scenery and enjoying the ride vicariously. Keep'em coming.
ReplyDeleteBob Williams
I'm gonna blame Silvano for the cake incident. I rode into the cortile, and he stuck his head out the window and flagged me down. I propped my bike against a wall and waddled in my cleats over to his window, and out of the blue he hands me a still-warm homemade cake. The man is an angel come down to earth.
ReplyDelete