Lovely Lakes

Italy Stage 02 – Mon 28^th June 2016 – Sesto Calende to Varese (32 Km)
Weather: 17⁰C min – 25⁰C max, fine

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” He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life “ ~ Muhammad Ali

Clear blue skies, warm sunshine, unbelievably picturesque countryside, crystal clear lakes, dappled sunlight filtering through leafy forests, rippling brooks, quaint little arched bridges, smooth well-maintained cycleways, sleepy little villages, birds chirping happily … my 32 Km ride today from Sesto Calende to Varese had everything a touring cyclist from far away Australia could wish for.

It was nearly 11 am when I dragged myself away from B&B Rosetta and my four new friends I enjoyed breakfast with: a lovely French couple from near Paris and a super fit septuagenarian couple from Denmark who love climbing mountains all around the world. The gentleman has been to Nepal more than twenty times and has reached the summit of all the mountains except Everest. When I asked why he climbs such mountains he quoted Sir Edmond Hillary, “because they are there”. Conversation ranged from Brexit to the health food rating of various countries (France is about 3rd, Italy 4th and Australia 34th in the world), and of course soccer (about which I am becoming quite conversant). As if poor old England does not have enough on its plate at the moment, it made an exit from the European football tournament last night, courtesy of the minnows Iceland who embarrassingly beat them 2-1. Meanwhile, the lady who owns the B & B kept plying us with cups of tea as well as fresh bread and pastries that she picked up in the village early this morning.

Apart from the enjoyable breakfast I was in no hurry to leave Sesto Calende because the ride today was only 32 Km and check-in time at my Varese B & B is not until 6 pm. This is why I am presently writing this blog sitting in a shady piazza in Varese centro, having arrived around 2 pm and checked out everything this lovely town has to offer. To fill in time I think I have eaten at every gelato shop and café in town, as well as devouring a packet of huge cherries that I bought at the Co-op on my way.

Without a doubt the main attraction of cycling in northern Italy is the lakes (lago in Italian). After leaving Lago Maggiori this morning my route took me past the equally pristine Lago di Comabbio and Lago di Varese. The photographic opportunities compelled me to stop several times and at one point I stopped abruptly to allow a shiny brown snake to slither very fast across the path in front of me. I always give them right of way!

This morning before I left I managed to skype my German friend Volker who lives in Padova, where I will be staying for two nights just before I arrive in Venice. We have been corresponding for some time (ever since he discovered my website) and he is arranging for me to give a presentation to his bike club in Padova on Wed 6th July 2016, with the main focus being my Tour de Manche ride through Normandy and Brittany last July. He is even looking at the possibility of riding with me from Vincenza to Padova which would be great, particularly to get the benefit of all his local knowledge. Meeting people from all around the world is just another reason I love bicycle touring.