Dolomiti d'Ampezzo

The road twists and turns, but it's all downhill for me, between the Lagocernera group and the Marmarole group. Great views on both sides as I descend to Cortina d'Ampezzo.

This big city is a major tourism base. So I stop off for a beer and a sandwich, and just linger about to feel the vibe. The tourists seem very relaxed, with the sun shining warm - and then a bout of rain sends them scurrying.

I ride out and join a bicycle path that runs along the Torrente Boite. There is not a single other cyclist on this gravel path, and so I enjoy the tranquil crunching of stones as Schopper rolls over happily. The hills close on both sides of the road, so I camp under some trees. Next to it is a little stream I could bathe in. And then watch the sunset with a beer, that surprisingly hasn't lost all its fizz from being shaken about.Read more