Bad move, good move

There were no proper cycling maps to be found anywhere in Verona, so I took the tourist office's advice and headed towards Mantova - leaving the Via Claudia Augusta and heading for the "Ciclopista del Sole", which is part of the Eurovelo 7 trail from northern Sweden to Malta.

But to get there, I had an absolutely disgusting 40 km along main roads through the heat, smog, soot, lorries... I was the only one cycling around here and I know why.

If I did this trip again, I would definitely go via Lake Garda after all and miss Verona altogether (or pop in by train, since the centre is so beautiful). It would have avoided 70 km of stress going into and out of Verona.

But just as I was seriously regretting my decision to take this route, I hooked up with the cycle path at Burghetto and was really rewarded for my efforts. I stopped for a drink in the beautiful 14th Century town.


Looking down from the bridge


Looking up at the bridge

I quickly had a fruit bar for lunch and enjoyed the lovely ride along the River Mincio. As you may have noticed, these fruit bars are an essential part of my journey. They taste a bit like lembas bread dipped in Orangina.

While we're on the subject of essential items, meet my tub of, er, horse cream:

Tina's recommendation is suitable for hide, hair and human skin and really puts a spring back into tired legs.

Sighting of the day: As I was speeding along towards Mantova, I saw a long, slim, blackish snake slither across the cycle track. It must have been over a metre long since it covered more than half the path. Unfortunately, as I slowed down to take a photo of it, the snake sensed me and sped off towards the river. I wondered what the Romans would have thought about a black snake crossing their path on the penultimate day of a campaign. Should I turn back and call the whole thing off?

I'm glad I didn't because Mantova is a delightful town - much fewer tourists than in Verona and only about 14 palaces and churches to see.

Unfortunately, there were also some tiny, but voracious mosquitos that wasted no time consuming me as I consumed my prawn and zucchini pasta on the main square. I now have 8 bites on a single foot - should make for some itchy cycling tomorrow.

Even so, it looks like I made the right decision to come this way rather than head to Ostiglia. However I do have a long ride into Bologna tomorrow.

Trip today: 67 km
Total so far: 1717 km