Always Remember (or is it Never Forget)

 

Sunday 2nd August 2026 - Rome

 Today the barista knew I was Australian.  I think his "G'Day Mate" was intentionally bad.  His coffee art wasn't bad though...

We decide to go see the Colloseum.  Did I say it was hot?

Cathy also spent some time looking for ancient inspiration

Saturday 1st August 2026 - Rome

 It's early and it's already hot.  We decide to walk a local market to see what's available.

Narrow cobbled streets and old buildings.

The Limone Shop where we found something special for Sabine...

Yellow Cordial

We had a special fish dinner

Cathy demonstrates the effects of Limoncello 

Friday 31st July 2026 - Moving Day to Rome

Well, we almost didn't leave.  On Monday, we asked the hotel to book us a transfer to Balzano to catch our train to Rome.  No problem.  The booking came through.  A request for payment.  A receipt arrived.  All good.

On the day, a no show.  15 minutes late, I ask the hotel to check with the taxi company.  Ahhhh, we had booked for 31.08.2026!!!!  I didn't notice, neither did anyone else.  

The taxi company sent someone.  It's 88km, expected travel time 1h50m.  Fortunately, it all ran smoothly from there.  Five hour train trip to Rome.  Our hotel transfer arrived promptly.  It was a releif to get there with all our luggage.

Hotel Santa Maria

Did I say it was hot?  The Italian Meteo have issued an "Extreme Heat Alert" for the next 3 days.

Pizza and Beer in Rome.  Seems appropriate.

Friday 31st July 2026 - Leaving Hotel Meldoia del Bosco

Everything about the hotel was top class except Cathy thought the hair dryer was a toy.  Her hair dryer in Bright is modelled on a retired 747 Jet Engine.  It even wakes me up.

We joined the Spritz Club.

We will be back.

Thursday 30th July 2026 - Tandem Flight

 On Tuesday, David saw a paraglider in the air and tracked down the office.

The Office

No flights available Tuesday or Wednesday.  Fortunately, Thursday is OK.

Landing Paddock looking South to Passo Gardena

Launch at Vallon 2500m

Alex and David.  Climbing.  Passo Campolongo on the right.

The big surprise - heading to the break in the wall on the left

Threading the needle

Amazing adventure's dont come any better than this.

Close to landing in Corvara

Very lucky to have a thermal flight up and over the plateau surrounding Piz Boe.

Thursday 30th July 2026 - The Famous Sellaronda (anti-clockwise)

 Cathy headed off early (still very hot out there) to do the Sellaronda in reverse from Monday.

Cathy on top of Passo Sella

A statue of Fausto Coppi

Passo Pordoi with glacier in the background

Passo Pordoi - 10/10 View, 2/10 Coffee :(

Wednesday 29th July 2026 - Passo Campolongo

Garun decided on a huge ride called Passo Giau - 100km and 2900m of climbing.  Stifling heat, very steep climbs (9% for 9km), uummmm...How about NO!!

We headed of for a much shorter ride, Passo Campolongo.  That gave us time for shopping in Corvara and La Villa.  

Sabine was still drinking Red Cordial (aka Pluck-a-Duck) at dinner.  We decided to have real local wine with our dinner.

Tuesday 28th July 2026 - Pedaru

 David had a day off the bike.  Cathy did a ride with Sabine and Garun to Pedaru.

In the afternoon, we took a bus to Adrenaline X-Treme Adventures.

They have a series of 7 ziplines which total 3000m.

It was heaps of fun.  The crew was friendly and very professional from start to end.  Safety was obviously paramount.

Monday 27th July 2026 - The Famous Sellaronda (clockwise)

An early start to try and beat the heat.  Unfortunately, Sabine's gears went into crash mode, and David got a flat rear tire.

Fixing a puncture is NOT faster on an eBike

The Sellaronda is 4 major climbs, about 1800m elevation in under 70km.  Its a tough workout at the best of times.  The first climb to Passo Campolongo.

The usual jersey meeting was held over breakfast

Descent to Arabba, followed by a 9km climb to Passo Pordoi.

David wisihing he'd caught that Gondola about 2km ago

Most of the climb from Arabba

Some passes have dedicated bike lanes up.

The view down from Passo Sella

At Passo Gardena all the climbing is done, except for getting out of that chair!!  We had coffee and apple strudel.  

At dinner, Sabine selected a special dealcoholised wine...affectionately known as "Pluck a Duck"

Italian Description

English Translation :)