67. Paola to Pizzo

Nae’s last day of biking! Alas! That went quickly!

But not so far to go today (we thought!)..so we had a relaxed breakfast and did not leave until 9.30 or so.

And a lovely ride…mostly off the main road…..

…and at the 60km mark we celebrated  that Nae had just tipped over the 1,500km mark!!! 

Everything going smoothly….and I tempted fate by suggesting that finally we were going to have a day which went to plan….(ie with most of the afternoon free!). 

Until it didn’t!!

Closed roads…blocked bridges…..

….lots of time studying the map….

…..and we had no idea where so much time had gone when we pulled into a wee beachside pizzeria for lunch at 82km mark….and it was 3.45! Hot and humid today…so two sweatballs needed rehydrating and sustenance.  But no pizzas..they said…only in the evening!! Hahaha! But they did manage to rustle up a very small Diavalo…which was actually just perfect!

The last 14ms were surprisingly hard work. With a real sting in the tail climbing up to Pizzo itself! Arriving well after 5pm!

I had booked a B&B right on the sea! 

And it is…if you look at the map! But it is right on the edge of a cliff. Absolutely wonderful place actually…probably the best accommodation of the whole trip!! (..more on that tomorrow!).

So we unloaded the bikes…and then jumped straight back on them…to hurtle down the hill to jump onto the sea! Phew!!

I left Nae on the beach trying to even out her tan…and sort out her various strap lines and white bike shorts and white hands…for I was simply thirsty! 

Another push up the hill…shower….beer! And within a few minutes…Alan had found me!!! Rider number four!

So good to see him…and we all had a great evening…before collapsing at too late an hour!