Torbole back to Verona, June 4, 2025

Strava: 76.46 km, 351m, 2:59, 88 shifts

Our last morning was somehow less stressful and easier than the other riding days of the tour. Due to the hotel serving breakfast late and the short, easy distance of the stage, we got up later and also knew that there was no threat of bad weather today, only warm sun. We loaded the truck one last time, packed our bikes and took off at 9.

The ride along the lake was magical. We hadn’t had any flat riding like this and the scenery was off scale. This part of Lake Garda really has to be seen to be believed. My tires just hummed as I pedaled easily.

Wilbert told us not to rush, that lunch at 55 km was not until after noon, so make sure to stop early and often. I stopped for photos a number of times, then a group of us stopped in the town of Garda for cold drinks. It was so relaxed sitting in the shade at a café by the lake shore, talking about all our recent adventures.

We had a short ride to our final lunch served up by Ben and Dion, along the bike path to Verona. It was the mostly the standard fare, upgraded a bit, very tasty and very appreciated. Eventually it was time to ride and we headed out in groups to ride the last 20 km to Verona. It was gently downhill, mostly on bike paths, calm and easy. Traffic in Verona was unlike what we’d been dealing with lately but no problem at all. Mike and I were leading a group and thought we were about one km from the bridge where the final ceremony would be. Then we heard yelling and realized it was a different bridge all together and we were already there.

Wilbert and Wijnand put together a fantastic assortment of foods and drinks. Once everyone arrived, including the lunch crew, out came the champagne. Wilbert’s toast amazed me, something like: “Here’s to all of you, the first group to do this tour without requiring a hospital!” I think we were very lucky (and careful) as there really were no biking injuries. We then walked onto the Castelvecchio Bridge for a series of group photos that I think came out well.

The final 1.5 km felt like it took two minutes, then we pulled up at the Hotel Italia, which looked the same as two weeks ago when we left. My new Aussie roommate John is also doing Milano San Remo, and we will have two nights in Verona before driving 170 km west to Milano.

In the afternoon, I relaxed and tried hard not to take a nap – John did the same. A cold shower felt so good. We did last until 7 pm and then went to the final banquet in the hotel dining room. It was a great dinner, with lots of fun conversations. Wilbert handed out souvenir milestone markers made by his dad, and recapped the trip, thanking everyone especially for riding safely. Ben gave out some awards like “Worst design” – to various hotels for various design faux pas. The bravest person was Cathy, for riding in the van with Ben. And best bike cleaner – I got first runner up and Keith scored the win. It was a great ending to a fun and challenging tour. If I had been healthy I would’ve enjoyed it even more but loved it nonetheless. A few days off now to rest is just what the doctor ordered.

Mezzana to Torbole

Strava: 107.37 km, 1,949m, 5:37, 208 shifts, max speed 74.8 kph

I slept well but for some reason wasn’t psyched for riding in the morning. Maybe it was the rain outside. I perked up a little when our 8:30 departure was rescheduled for 9, and then I got to talk to Katie. In the end, the rain basically stopped as we left but we got plenty wet blasting down the valley at full speed on the very wet road.

We turned up a somewhat less busy road to Passo di Campo Carlo Magna and started our first climb, 950m in 14.5 km. The grade wasn’t too bad and the temperature was good, and I was feeling a little stronger for once. The rain did start up when I was half way up, so I did the second half with a jacket. It felt great to finish that climb. The sun peaked out for a minute, right after Serge said, “The sun should come out now.” Then it went away and I asked him to do it again. He sang some Beatles songs with the lyrics all changed to asking for sun, but it didn’t work a second time.

Down we went, fast and a bit wet, soon stuck behind the proverbial truck for many km; luckily he went reasonably fast. It dried out a bit more, then we stopped for food and clothes reduction just below our second big climb. It was a beautiful little spot with a fountain and tables. The second climb was on a tiny paved path, 6 km, averaging 10%. I just stuck it in my lowest gear and churned it out. Lunch was on top, and it turned out the road we were on was impassable for cars so there was no traffic at all. Refueling was great thanks to our awesome lunch crew.

After lunch, the next big descent started, fast switchbacks, very high speed though some little villages, so fun. The sun was out now and it was warming up nicely. There was about 40 km more to do but it was mostly downhill or level, the only difficulty was a headwind that was constant. Soon we were on a series of bike paths that went all the way to the lake, fun and varied. I rode the whole way with Nick and we stopped a few times for photos and had a great time.

The group is split in two hotels, and by luck soup was at ours in the beautiful back garden. Only Bike Dreams is staying here so it’s pretty nice. After a round of delicious soup and snacks, I washed a lot of dirt off myself and did laundry. It’s warm and breezy so laundry dries very fast on our balcony. We cleaned our bikes from so much rainy riding.

We were on our own for dinner tonight so Mike and I found a place by the lake and had a lovely meal. Keith joined once I texted him a picture of the menu featuring his favorite drink: IPA. And Lex joined for a beer too. Upon asking for il conto we were presented with glasses of limoncello. Amo l’Italia.

After dinner a gelateria was just across the street so we had to. Tonight’s flavors: yogurt con maracujá e limone. Then we walked down to the lake shore and WOW, what a place! People were swimming so I waded in to my knees and it felt great. I would love to come back to this part of Lake Garda and spend more time someday.