Italy - prelude

Bram and I haven't been on cycling vacation for a few years. In May Bram asked if I wanted to spent two weeks cycling in Italy. We booked a bus to Avignon (France) and 14 days later a bus back from Innsbruck (Austria). We planned the entire route in one evening. From Avignon we will cycle to the Italian coast and on to Pisa. Then we will make a loop through Toscane and cycle via Florence and the Brenner pass north to Innsbruck. A few weeks before we left we were informed the return bus was cancelled, so we will need to take one two days sooner.

 

As it is almost the tenth time we are going on a cycling trip the preparations didn't take long. I have patched up my bike with a new chain, tires, and brake pads. This time I will carry both a self-inflatable mattress and a foam one, as well an inflatable pillow. Carrying that extra 0,5 kg will be worthwhile to get a good night of sleep. We will also carry a GPS tracker that saves our location every 5 minutes.

 

In terms of training we are much less prepared than usual. Bram and I had both moved closer to work, meaning we don't cycle as far as in previous years. In the two months that have passed between planning the route and our departure I have started cycling on my speed bike twice a week. That has made some difference, but I still can't say I am in great shape compared to previous years.