Original blog: RSRocket's Blog
Woke up in the night-thunderstorm! Glad to be in my dry spot (under a verandah of a hut used for fishing etc at the side of the lake)....theres always something when wild camping. Woke with the birds (stop it!) as usual. All ready for off by 7.30am.In the distant views on the road appears ...........The Dolomites or Dolomiti! Was within half an hour of them but kept going in circles as my compass (normally my best friend) was hopeless. Must have been the iron-filled pieces of rock-the Dolomites themselves!Trusted the map instead of my usually reliable sense of direction (Mistake). Ended up virtually back in Udine before hitting the Autostrada-Stupid, stupid stupid!!!!!!
[b]Only 2.50 Euro but the ticket machines here are a t**t to use unlike the easy Austrian ones (ok ok!).Anyhow as soon as you leave the ratrace you are in biker heaven here. If I was to do passes again I would look at altering the gearing on the bike. You guys who ride the passes a lot will probably understand what I mean.Well its midday and I have reached my target of Cortina. 
[b]225Km from my overnight camp, 50Km of that spent going in circles trying to get out of Udine.Was a great blast into Cortina though as always with me my imagination Re: 'the destination' is usually better than the reality.[b]To those less experienced at pass bagging like me I can recommend the less demanding yet no less skilful to ride roads such as the SS52, though my after lunch route out of Cortina, the PS45 looks a little more demanding.[b]Going to head towards Bergamo for tonight's stop and may treat myself to a proper bed for the first time since the superb Hotel Lindner at the TDM meet up. 
Shit!!!!!! 
Just bought a map and Firenze is f**king miles away.........400+ and too far South. Will have to meet up with Andrea and Daniela another time maybe. (was hoping to meet up with them on Saturday-Angie)[b]Got Hotel in small town called Mulbach near Bressanone, just south of Austria. Head is spinning after 300Km of bend swinging-almost yodelling!His hotel for the night.........http://www.hotel-linde.it/en/welcome.shtml(Looks lovely! Angie)I do prefer the small unexpected treats in life...celebratory beer was 5 Euro-Astro Beer (celebrating what?-Angie) . Reach for the stars and pay the price! So here I am in Italy drinking beer with a Tyrolian accordian player playing and a load of Harley Riders (WTF?) All good fun so they say until the headache hits the Autostradas! Aah-never mind.....I have a bed![b]Heading towards Turin and France tomorrow and planning big miles. Will decide then whether to blast back or call in to see Phillipe (a friend he met when he lived on a boat in St, Jean-Cap Ferrat-Angie)Will try to get in touch with Mattia from TDMX
Woke up in the night-thunderstorm! Glad to be in my dry spot (under a verandah of a hut used for fishing etc at the side of the lake)....theres always something when wild camping. Woke with the birds (stop it!) as usual. All ready for off by 7.30am.In the distant views on the road appears ...........The Dolomites or Dolomiti! Was within half an hour of them but kept going in circles as my compass (normally my best friend) was hopeless. Must have been the iron-filled pieces of rock-the Dolomites themselves!Trusted the map instead of my usually reliable sense of direction (Mistake). Ended up virtually back in Udine before hitting the Autostrada-Stupid, stupid stupid!!!!!!
[b]Only 2.50 Euro but the ticket machines here are a t**t to use unlike the easy Austrian ones (ok ok!).Anyhow as soon as you leave the ratrace you are in biker heaven here. If I was to do passes again I would look at altering the gearing on the bike. You guys who ride the passes a lot will probably understand what I mean.Well its midday and I have reached my target of Cortina. [b]225Km from my overnight camp, 50Km of that spent going in circles trying to get out of Udine.Was a great blast into Cortina though as always with me my imagination Re: 'the destination' is usually better than the reality.[b]To those less experienced at pass bagging like me I can recommend the less demanding yet no less skilful to ride roads such as the SS52, though my after lunch route out of Cortina, the PS45 looks a little more demanding.[b]Going to head towards Bergamo for tonight's stop and may treat myself to a proper bed for the first time since the superb Hotel Lindner at the TDM meet up. Shit!!!!!! Just bought a map and Firenze is f**king miles away.........400+ and too far South. Will have to meet up with Andrea and Daniela another time maybe. (was hoping to meet up with them on Saturday-Angie)[b]Got Hotel in small town called Mulbach near Bressanone, just south of Austria. Head is spinning after 300Km of bend swinging-almost yodelling!His hotel for the night.........http://www.hotel-linde.it/en/welcome.shtml(Looks lovely! Angie)I do prefer the small unexpected treats in life...celebratory beer was 5 Euro-Astro Beer (celebrating what?-Angie) . Reach for the stars and pay the price! So here I am in Italy drinking beer with a Tyrolian accordian player playing and a load of Harley Riders (WTF?) All good fun so they say until the headache hits the Autostradas! Aah-never mind.....I have a bed![b]Heading towards Turin and France tomorrow and planning big miles. Will decide then whether to blast back or call in to see Phillipe (a friend he met when he lived on a boat in St, Jean-Cap Ferrat-Angie)Will try to get in touch with Mattia from TDMX