The ride today began quite suddenly as we left the driveway of the hotel and immediately started our ascent to the summit of the Madonna del Ghisallo. It was about 600 meters up on switchback roads, some probably 10% or more. It was a bit tough but “non c’è male” (not bad) in the cooler morning temperature and with fresh legs. It took about 65-70 min, slower than the serious cyclists who have light bikes and no luggage, but a reasonable pace for us tourists. The top is literally a cycling shrine as this route has been a fixture in countless races, including the Giro D’Italia in many years. The chapel is bursting with bikes and jerseys of famous Italian and international cyclists. Then there are statues of some of those cyclists, a cycling museum, and many cyclists who had climbed the route that morning. We attracted much interest there with our tandem bikes, they are unusual amongst all the racing bikes.
The rest of the ride was pretty easy, mostly down, into Como the city, still on Lago di Como. We wandered around the waterfront a bit, looked at the Duomo, and enjoyed some refreshments at a bar. I tried an Aperol finally. I keep seeing others with this orange colored and flavoured drink but hadn’t tried it yet. Also it was recommended by David Rocco, an Italian-Canadian cookbook writer that George follows on Twitter. It was good, refreshing and not too sweet, a little bitter.
Up the switchbacks we go
We feel like champions!
Inside the chapel, my kind of religion
Jerseys from the Giro, including Canada's Ryder Hesjedal
We're on top!
geeteetravels 
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