Biking to Legro di Lago : Sept 11

26+ miles on a bike = sore bum + 3 stops for beer + the views = happy adventure

Ok, it was 26+ miles on an e-bike, but my bum didn’t know that. I couldn’t have done the steep climbs, honestly only a professional could have, 2300+ ft of elevation gain, on this route. Took some time to get to understand this monstrosity of a mountain bike. Example, if you have it on Turbo setting, the highest help, when you take off, you’ll spin out and fall over. If you wear athletic pants the crotch will get caught of the seat and you’ll fall over. So, once I hiked up my pants to give myself a camel toe, pushed the seat down on take off and lowered out of turbo……I was good to go. We biked on roads, gravel, on the side of a mountain, in forests, alongside rushing creeks, through cute towns, city biking and around Lago di Ledro “Lake Ledro’, a glacial lake. Stopped for a snack and a beverage on the far side of the lake and headed back stopping one more time at the most beautiful bar overlooking Lake Garda. Exhausting, some points frustrating, but exhilarating and every single point was a sight to behold.

Because we are close to Germany, you can really see the German influence on the architecture, food culture. Many people speak English, German AND Italian.

On our way back 2 of the group split off to do another section and 5 of us went on into the northern part of Riva which was where the city biking came in, we survived the roundabouts. Shoosh. We went to one of the most beautiful places, Varone Waterfall Cave Park, Parco Grotta Cascata Varone. A botanical garden with a MASSIVE waterfall in a cave. Mesmerizing. After that we headed back and oh, you guessed it, stopped for a drinky drink at a historic bar. That night we headed back to the restaurant from our first night and it was my favorite so far. I actually went out on a limb and ordered beef cheeks for my course, but they were out and I opted for the lasagna. Wow oh wow. I know you think, just lasagna. And then Tiramisu, my fav and it was done!

Nights before dinner we got out for appertivo, pre-dinner drink and social/cultural ritual to ‘open’ the appetite and transition from the day to evening. Spritz’s are the thing. Limoncello, Aperol and my new favorite, Hugo. It has elderberry syrup, mint, slice of lemon, sparkling water and prosecco. So refreshing.

I took my sore bum back to my Airbnb and slept soundly.

Out and onto Bolzano tomorrow.