A Silver Lining

To Nava, Italy -- 38.1 miles, 9.0 mph, 3825 ft

We had a very relaxed morning in Sanremo. Meg left “early” to find a bakery and was happy as a clam returning from the “Fantastico” pastry shop with a gold-foil wrapped package of goodies for breakfast (and a coffee for me!) We enjoyed lounging on our own huge private balcony, and I tended to the bikes (tires, chains, brakes), which unfortunately contributed to a late, 11:00 a.m. start.

Can I just say, I love Italian civil engineers! They can cut a straight, perfectly flat tunnel through just anything, and we were the beneficiaries of their engineering prowess all the way to Imperia. No need to exert yourself getting over the hills. Interestingly, the first stage of the 2015 Gira d’Italia raced the 12 miles from San Lorenzo to Sanremo, where we spent last night. All I can say is they must have really hauled.

We stocked up on supplies and stuffed ourselves (at least I did) at a supermarket in Imperia in anticipation of the ~4000 ft of climbing to our hotel. Sadly, we would be saying goodbye to our faithful travel partner, the Mediterranean, which had accompanied us during our first couple weeks.

Imperia.  "Arrivederci Mediterranea"

The climbing began gradually from town, slowly increasing in intensity until we were in our lowest gear. The building clouds kept us cool and the handful of motorway tunnels kept the grade consistent. Meg's note: The building clouds also kept us on the move. There's nothing like a good rain storm to keep one's legs spinning to avoid it!

Meg's Note:  Dex is a super stoker! Love this kid.

Meg's Note:  Love this kid, too!

Unfortunately, we realized just thia morning, that what Bookings.com considers close to our destination and what we do, are two different things. So, at 4:00, we made the decision to abandon our reservations at Ca’da Cardella and avoid another gratuitous 800 ft of climbing and miles of pedaling off the main road. We set our sights on Pornassio, but we were disappointed (Meg says “crushed”) by the locals reaction to our inquiries “Hotel? Albergo?”

Two elderly men and a woman helpfully chattered at us while pointing in multiple directions. It seemed there might be something up the road. It was 5:30, so we psyched ourselves up for another 3 miles at 5 mph up the road. One cookie stop and 40 minutes later, we were “crushed” again when the young man at the Albergo Ristorante explained they we closed for repairs. The clouds were heavy; our last resort was the campground one km along the road or possibly there was something “cinquanta metri” up the road on the left. We pulled up and found the lights on and what seemed like a full rack of keys hanging on the wall. The friendly man at the counter had a room for three and Meg gratefully accepted -- I'm pretty sure, with tears in her eyes. (Meg's note: Oh yes, there were tears.)

Through all of this, the kids seemed remarkably unfazed. Dex had wanted to camp along the road near Pornassio, but they jumped back on the bikes when we made the decision to keep pedaling. We all toast almost every night to a good days ride. Tonight was no exception, though with china, cloth napkins, and a bottle of red wine for Meg and me! I love happy endings.

Meg's Note:  Love this man!