Our last 2 rides were on small, mostly quiet and scenic roads and would have been more enjoyable in normal temperatures. We were riding along the coast or beside canals once into the Po river delta and we took small ferries several times to cross inlets. The temperature the first day was about 35 degrees C (89kms), the second day 33 (70kms). We were thankful for the flat terrain here again as the heat takes up a lot of your energy. We tried drinking gatorade as well as water and it seemed to help compensate for the loss of body fluids through sweat. George sweats so much he was regularly wringing out his gloves and the lining of his helmet. I started to feel his sweat splashing onto me, the ultimate stoker sacrifice! We made sure we got on the road as early as we could to try to beat the hottest time of the day but it’s hard when you have almost 90kms and by 11:00 it’s already 30 degrees. The second day from Porto Viro it was very foggy and humid to start so a bit better than bright sun although still warm. The Po delta area is as you would expect with much agriculture happening due to the excellent growing environment. We saw corn, sunflowers, grapes and tomatoes being grown. Last year parts of the Po were dried up, this year it looks very full of water.
We made it back to our starting point in Mestre in the early afternoon and were able to dismantle the bike that day. Again though it was so hot that by the end of the job George was again dripping wet and had made puddles around where we were working in the garage of the hotel. Most of southern Europe is experiencing a heat wave currently, it will be nice to go to London where there are temperatures in the low twenties.
For our last day in Italy we went back into Venice to see a few more sites and do a bit of shopping. We try not to do any shopping until the end so that we have nothing extra to carry on the bike. Compared to 6 weeks ago Venice has become much busier as expected. I think it would be a challenging place to live and work in when you are constantly dealing with tourists who don’t always respect the environment, I find it challenging for one day. We bought some food in a grocery store and were going to sit on some steps in a piazza to eat and we were told by some kind of security people that we weren’t allowed to have picnics and to move along. Of course again it’s over 30 degrees, hardly any shade and you aren’t allowed to sit anywhere and eat, likely because people leave messes we think? There are thousands of restaurants and bars but often I can’t find suitable food to eat in them so often opt for a grocery store. I love many things about Venice but don’t really love being here. We did visit one other cathedral as well as a bit of shopping, one with more paintings by one of my favourite renaissance guys Tiepolo. It was cool in there and the artwork was beautiful. Just to add to the ambiance there was a choir practising. I just sat in the coolness and listened for awhile while I recovered from almost melting when walking there.
We are quite happy with the decision to stay in Mestre rather than Venice. It’s close yet far enough away to escape the crowds and the high prices. Also getting in and out of there with baggage is challenging, let alone a large bicycle.
The past 6 weeks have gone by surprisingly quickly. Our trips are quite busy with lots to do and see and of course many kms to ride (approximately 1300kms). We feel that it was long enough and perhaps for future trips it might be nice to build in a bit more time to relax about half way through by staying in one spot for a week or so. We are off tomorrow morning to London for a couple of days with Erika then back home. Arrivederci!
geeteetravels 
I’m always sorry to see a trip come to an end, even vicariously. I’ve enjoyed travelling with you two this past six weeks. Thanks so much for posting information (and maps!).
Thanks for all the posts. Iâve followed the route using street view for almost all of your trip so I almost feel like Iâve been with you, insofar as that works. Itâs kind of like experiencing a bath while wearing all your clothes. You get wet but the soap isnât effective.
Please give Erika our love. Iâve been thinking about her getting ready to move. Iâm sure sheâs now very excited about her new place.
Weâre back in Banff today and just came in from a trip around the golf course and coffee/lunch at the White Bark Café. The trip was much, much faster this time without the brake dragging. I was disappointed we didnât find any e-bikes to pass.
I installed new tires, new chainrings and cassette this week. Along with an (almost) new chain, Katharine said the bike is now quiet, like a new one. She said had become used to all the clicking and no longer noticed it so I guess itâs been like that for too long. Of course I donât hear that. It even shifts smoothly again.
Oh, and I bought a new tool to separate quick links. After struggling to replace links later after the chain âbrokeâ at the quick link climbing one of those nasty short hills coming out of an underpass in Bowness, I decided I needed to do so and it works very, very well. Iâm excited. Itâs another tool to carry. You know, so you donât have to. ð I likely will never need it on the road again, but just in case⦠Iâm also now carrying about 7 quick link spares, just because. Besides, theyâre very small and very light.
Rob
>
Looks amazing! I have a lot of catch up to do.
Glad you made it back, sounds like an incredible journey! Hats off to you doing this trip on July! Enjoy cool London and give Erika a hug from us please. Thanks for the journey.
Margo