A beautiful 75 degree morning with the ocean wind and intermittent clouds continuing to keep it cool.  We loaded our bikes on the flat sidewalk outside the hotel and that was the last flat spot we saw for hours, with the exception of the little side trip we mistakenly took through a nice little beach town. Once on track, the climbing began immediately, but this time it did not stop, no downhills, no coasting, just straight up. Though the clouds continued to offer partial shade and keep the temperatures below 80, we were still soaking wet from the struggle.  Saw very few cars, several bicyclists and even a mountain goat,

the only one feeling ‘right at home’.  It took us nearly three hours to climb the 14 miles to the Passo Bracco summit. The five mile downhill was just long enough to chill us and have our legs turn to jelly before the next climb began.  Luckily, it was up and down for the rest of the ride (never thought up/down would be a good thing).  We stopped for lunch on the side of the road near a small town that had been devastatingly affected by the landslides created by too much rain two or three years ago,

river walls were still being improved and bridges not quite finished.  As we were started to head out again, Matt from Australia, came speeding by to a quick stop.  He’d started a month ago in England and was biking Europe for the summer before heading back to his homeland.  He joined us for our remaining two hour ride into town as we traded stories. We continued to see washed out areas along the way and had a mile and a half sprint through a tunnel.   We couldn’t just part without having a beer or two, so we spent the next hour at a sidewalk cafe enjoying not sitting on a bike.

Matt was heading further south, we were heading to our hotel.  No touring of the town tonight, just too tired.  BUT, we were fortunate to find the most incredible local restaurant for dinner.  Caprese salad,Ravioli and a mixed grilled meat platter, which we devoured before we remembered to take a picture.  Hydrated with a carafe of wine.  Perfect ending to a wonderfully grueling day.