Bob and Ann in Italy 2011

We left our hotel under cloudy skies and cool temperatures at 9:00. Tom Leever led us to the bicycle path and beyond. The bicycle routes and paths in this part of Italy are fantastic. They take you through cities and next to highways on dedicated lanes and separate paved paths. The route we were on took us north through Bolzano and then north north east to Ponte Gardena. The path surface puts California roads to shame. We went through some tunnels that were constructed for the older road but are now part of the path system.

The path went for 37km. It gradually climbed for around 1000 feet next to a raging river. As we neared the end, we started seeing shadows. The sun was breaking out for the first time since we started the tour. During this part of the ride, riders in our group were leap-frogging. We were riding at our own pace. I was mostly riding alone toward the end of the path.

The van was waiting at the end of the path with some refreshments – apples, cheese and water. This came in handy because we turned onto SP242 and started to climb. The climb lasted until we got to Selva 21 km later. It was a steady 6-8% with some pitches as high as 14%. There were a few short flat sections that gave us a little relief. I hooked up with Julie Leever and we rode together most of the rest of the day. We ran into bridge work at Ortisei where the road was blocked off. It was Sunday with no workers around so we lifted our bicycles over the barricades and continued on. We had to ride through some tunnels that were very well lit but very noisy when cars drove past us.

When we reached Selva di Val Gardena, we knew that we were finally in the Dolomites . The craggy peaks surround the alpine town. Selva is a ski resort so there are several lifts and gondolas that start right in town.

View from our room

I arrived at Hotel Solaia around 2:00. Almost all of the shops and restaurants were closed. I fixed a PB&J sandwich for lunch which really tasted good.

After I cleaned up, Ann and I took a quick walking tour of the nearby part of town. I found the hotel where Jeff and I stayed the last time I was here. Our hotel this time is nicer. We have a corner room with large windows where we get a panoramic view of the hills and mountains on both side of Paso Selva Gardena. Egon, the hotel owner, is very friendly. He speaks several languages which is valuable in this town where visitors come from all over the world. During our Happy Hour he offered advice on hikes to take tomorrow, our rest day. His 90+ mother was also here giving incoherent bits of information about the hotel and her family.

Dinner was in the hotel. We had a salad bar. Appetizers were prosciutto and melon. For our first course, I had soup while Ann had spaghetti. Our main course was quiche. For dessert, I had tiramisu while Ann had a raspberry tart.

This was the day’s route.