22 July 2025 (sunny and warm, becoming hot) 58km

Woke at 5.36am to clear skies. Both up, over to loos and then pack up before anyone knew we were gone.

Today we were heading to Brixen/Bressanone, another step closer to the Dolomites. By the way, every town in these parts has two names, a German and Italian name. Apparently after WW1, Italy took control of the area from Austria. At the moment most people seem to speak German.

So first off, we had to cycle back the 8kms we did yesterday coming out here, back into Bolzano then through a 50km gorge.

Left camp at 6.20am, to little or no traffic on the roads. It was a lovely morning for cycling. 

By the time we reached the far end of Bolzano, the traffic was just starting, as were the cyclists.

The riding was lovely, although at that time of the morning there was still a coolness in the air and most of our early kms were done in the shade. Which was fine by us as we were steadily climbing.

Some of that shade also included the seven tunnels, which were all lit. We were riding the Rad 1, a good section of which was an old railway line. That meant the gradient was perfect for climbing.

Covering 50kms and 358 metres, you hardly knew you were climbing at all. The cyclists were on the move now, with the usual idiots flying by at speeds too fast for the conditions, including a huge peloton who thought they owned the trail. 

Around 9am, we pulled into the village of Colma. Found a lovely spot to eat some nuts and have a coffee.

This was a small park, with playground and an amphitheater, with grassy area for sitting around at a gig. Skateboard park, the obligatory five-a-side footy pitch, basketball court and a clay tennis court. We think it was attached to a small school as the village wasn't big.

Went to make a coffee and our self igniter wouldn't work. Fortunately I self ignited, for everyone to see. 

Actually I was peace in motion.

We asked a guy who was there working if he had any matches and instead he used a barbecue igniter.

Later on we bought our own lighter, just in case it happens again.

As we ate, we noticed the houses on one side of the mountainside just feeling the effects of the early morning sunshine, whilst the other side was still in shadow. 

All this ride is alongside main roads, but still on our own cycle path. It's very nice not to have to worry about traffic at all.

Early on you have a motorway on one side, a main road on the other, with a river running alongside, next to the cycle path.

Then squashing us in between, the railway line.

Talk about congested and at times, bloody noisy.

But it works it's way through the congestion and for the most part, you don't realise so much is going on.

Off again, heading for Brixen/Bressanone, which is roughly where the camp is tonight.

This track was one of the best we've used on this tour.

It took us into the quaint medieval town of Klausen/Chuisa.

This town was beautifully looked after and paid homage to the cycle trail, which I suspect has breathed new life (and money) into the village.

Spent a while pushing the bikes through as we admired the buildings. The church dates back to 1483 and they had a cool little model in there showing what the area would have looked like in medieval times.

It didn't take us too much longer to reach Brixen/Bressanone and once again, such a nice town.

Definitely a tourist spot, which we soaked up, without feeling you were in a crowd.

Some amazing buildings. 

On the outskirts we shopped and then, heading in our chosen direction, we found a lovely kid's picnic bench seat to eat our lunch, as we watched those cheating e-bike bastards arrive on the banks and collapse on the grass, like they've done any work at all.

And they were coming downhill...?#! 

Not much further and we ended a great day's ride, when we reached the Lowenhof camp.

My patience was sorely tested after Julia returned from paying to tell me we'd been charged Euro 48 or NZ $100.

"This is ridiculous" I stormed.

After about eight hours, I had calmed down...well four...two...

Ten minutes later Julia had explained that we were travelling in one of the world's favourite tourist spots.

She also convinced me that it isn't 1985 and prices have risen. 

RISEN....Jesus Chr....calm Pete ..calm

Ohhmmm ohhmmmm.

Swam in the pool...beautiful. we tried to remember when we'd last had a swim, but couldn't. Lay in the sun on the loungers and had a bit of a nap.

Showered in the luxurious showers..Great.

Charged all our devices..fantastic.

Have a good spot and access to shops.

But Euro 48....ohhmmmmmmmm 

Hung up washing to dry and shot across to supermarket....you didn't think we were eating out again, surely.....?

Bought a delicious fresh salad, with meat kebabs and it was awesome.

Beer and wine to follow then to finish a milky coffee and chocolate. 

What more could you ask for…? Maybe a bit more grass on that tent site if I'm being picky. And a few less tents would be good....