So this is a bit old but wanted to get it out so I can update you on new news!
That's right folks! Italia THREE times! That's how many times I've been to my mothers mothers mothers land in the past three weeks... (this was back in March/April I think???)
Italia numero uno- Mission Road Bike!
Finally taking the next small step to my dream of a triathalon Max and I ventured down to Torino with the purpose of snagging a new road bike and after a bit of a wild goose chase (someone didn't do enough homework up front!) we found a shop with my size and brand just in time!
Check out my new wheels...
Oh yes, she's a beauty... although I practically killed myself the first time I mounted her... took me almost 30 min to get snapped into it!
Finally got the hang of it and have since (only) taken her out 3 times, but more to come!
Oh, and in case you are wondering... this bike is actually made in Italy!
Where is my bike made?
Falling into the following category:
There are some frames still welded at Treviglio. My understanding is that the aluminum frames with carbon rears are either welded there or, at least, bonded there.
Italia numero Due: Mission Ricky & Mann!
The following weekend we drive down to Cinque Terre to visit our dear friends Ricky & Mann! This cute couple live in Delhi and were in town for a work session in Rome and decided to tack on a few extra days and hit up some costal lands- they went down South to Capri, Positano, etc. and then drove ALL THE WAY UP to meet us in Cinque Terre!
We got a late start (of course) but made it to Monterosso al mare just in time to meet them for dinner at a great restaurant (it has a Michelin star!)
Miky. The waitress actually remembered me from my last visit! Food was good (although a bit more difficult with neither of the couple eating fish!)
We had a blast, hiking up the peak just N of Monterosso to give a great view of all 5 towns and exploring the near-by town of Vernazza with them the next day. It was short and sweet as they had a flight out on Sat evening, but they made it back safe and we had another night and day ahead of us in our favorite Italian riveara town!
Oh, forgot to mention, the B&B we stayed in- although we had a great roof-top breakfast and well-located in the heart of old town, we slept on a BROKEN bed the first night! That's right- BROKEN! Me, the person who can sleep anywhere! Alas, they switched us (after much haggling) into the other (bigger) room the next day, it put a HUGE cramp on the experience.
Max and I enjoyed a great hike the next day where I finally got to hike down to the secret (ok, not so secret as there is a sign for it!) beach! I've been wanting to make this side-treck since my very first time in 5Terre back in 2001!!! Yes, 10 years later I finally discover it's actually a NUDE beach! So cool! We ended up taking our time and had to re-schedule our late lunch to a dinner.
Eduardo was super accommodating! The owner and head-chef of our ALL-Time fav restaurant,
La Ruota understood we had a long drive back to Geneva so opened the place early just for us! Normally this 8 course meal of fresh local amazing fish begins around 8:30ish (and this is italian time so it's a big ISH). We arrived just after 7 and he started us on a shortened menu, and even gave us the best table in the place with an incredible view of the riveria below...
Needless to say, it was the perfect end to another great weekend in Italia! If we would have only organized ourselves a bit better we could have been half way to our next destination- ROMA! That's right, we went back to Geneva Sunday night, only to return to Italia on Wed!
Coming soon... Italia numero tre! Easter week in Parma, Firenze, Roma, e Pisa!!!!
