Day 3 - Split up already?!

Not 3 days in and we've already fallen out and gone our separate ways! 😉 Emma realised a good friend was base jumping at the other end of Lake Garda and so diverted for a day on the train to go and watch. So after a great sleep (second night on the camping mats and we both clonked out, only waking up once) we got a very early start from our secluded wild camp and Emma set off for the nearby station. Meanwhile I put in my headphones, got my head down and found the trance-like state that reallt crunches through the miles, only broken when I was run off the road by a lorry passing so close I had to bail to the verge rather than get knocked off. With that exception the driving here has been generally very respectful, and they seem to understand that the cycle paths frequently just stop or are covered in pedestrians so don't mind cyclists on the road. Roads which today have been busy A and major B roads with a lot of towns, roundabouts and traffic lights. We're after progress not pretty in Europe, but looking forward to when we can take some more time and find the nicer routes.

Craving pizza, a drink and a coffee I pushed over half way before stopping and was rewarded by an 11 euro menu including all three of those items at a restaurant on the edge of too fancy to let the likes of me in. Win!

The afternoon roads were generally better, although it became a fight to keep the engine cool and hydrated in the 30 degree heat. 30 degrees. September. Not where I'm from! Nonetheless it kept ticking over nicely and before I knew it it was time to go off route to find our Warmshowers hosts, Dario and Meliza's house who were graciously hosting us for the evening! One accidental motorway sliproad later and I had arrived! Finally up to the planned average European distance 🥳!

A flat tailwind day is a well-deserved treat given the headwinds I had to and from the UK and is a surefire way of arriving at your destination 120miles (200km) with nice fresh legs, if a little sleepy from the day of driving in the traffic!

The legs might be good but my Italian could use some work. The cashier holds up bananas and very clearly indicates I should have weighed them. "Ah Entschludigung, pardon, sorry!" I cycle through realising I've not hit the correct language. "Ahhh English" he correctly summises! To be fair, that usually works in Switzerland! 😅

After starting with a comparatively "efficient" start (pushed only by the fact I had a train to catch) , I trained up to Rovereto (sooo much faster than cycling...) + 75km round trip cycle on some of the most heavily used cycle paths I've ever seen (great to see!); great cliffs; a bear drinking a beer; many classic 3 wheelers; and my first "pass" of the tour, I just managed to catch one of Ed's jumps, rediscover crema café (coffee + cream , semi frozen) and blast back to the train station to catch the train that was 1h delayed 😅.... Didn't even need to rush my gelato. Best compliment of the trip so far "lovely Cat" ....must be Tiges new glasses. 😍

We finished the day together again, sharing a great meal and having a much needed shower and washing machine provided by Dario and Meliza who made us feel completely at home. Perfect! Thanks very much guys!

Food spend today: 46.55 euros