First Two Days at the Belvedere

Our first two days of riding in Italy are in the bag.  Our experiences were mixed.  Deborah had a very enjoyable first two days with rides of 63 and 64 kilometres.  My first day was a 95 followed by a ride with Deborah of 64.

The routine here at the Belvedere Bike Hotel in Riccione is centred on choosing the ride best suited to your ability and mood.  Deborah made good choices while I challenged myself with a ride a little outside my comfort (and ability) zone.  The usual ride takes you to a hill town for a cappuccino and a great view of the fertile farms and mountains.  If you are high enough you can see the city of Riccione nestled by the Adriatic Sea.

To say that my ride was challenging would be an understatement.  The 95-kilometre distance was not the issue.  I sometimes do multiple 100km rides at home in a week.  The challenge of this ride was the elevation.  We rode to four hill towns with road gradients between 8 and 13 degrees.  The climbs were between 9 and 15 kilometres of switchbacks but always up.  There was over 1800 meters of elevation gain over the total distance of the ride.  That is a greater elevation rise than the highway from Vancouver to Whistler.  The first two climbs were “okay”.  I was last but at least in sight of the pack for the most part.  At the halfway point one of our group of 10 surrendered and a taxi was called.  I was offered an escape seat but in hindsight, stupidly declined.  Town three was even harder and the group was forced to wait at the top while I inched my way to the peak.  Town four proved to be my undoing.  With 4km to go on a straight uphill climb of 15km, my body broke.  I had cramps in both quads and calves.  Even my triceps went into spasms.  Just when I thought I would have to stop, I felt the hand of our Italian guide in the middle of my back.  He encouraged me in his broken English and I kept pedalling with everything I had as he gently pushed me up the remaining kilometres.  Our friend Keith was struggling as well but with the help of our guide we reached the top to the cheers of our group.   Day two was much better.  Keith was unable to ride but I gave it a go and after the first 15km my body seemed to forget the previous day.

Our Day two ride was to the country house of our Belvedere Hotel hostess Marina.  Regardless of the distance of the morning ride, all groups converged on her beautiful hilltop villa with views of the surrounding vineyards and farms.  She had her hotel staff dressed in farming attire and served a lunch with everything from burgers, sausages, pasta, champagne, beer and dessert.  After an hour and a half of lounging around we made a quick 23 km (downhill for the most part) back to the hotel for a post ride beer and snooze.

Marcie and Warren

Many More Smiles For Me on Day Two  

Deborah's Day One Ride to a Cheese/Wine Presentation.  They have been Ageing Cheese Here Since the 14th Century.

Deborah's Group Posing With The Head Cheese Maker.

Don’t know what tomorrow will bring.  It depends on how much wine we drink at dinner before committing to a new ride in the morning.