Dropping it to the Dolomites

The weather made a dramatic improvement. So we are leaving this behind???

A quick look back down the Hindelang valley from the Oberjoch pass before we set off.

Today we take our country tally to 7 adding Austria and destination Italy. It looks like this:

A quick stop in Austria

For a McFrap

We are due to attack the Timmelsjoch Pass and take one final breath in Soldon before the assault. Parking was bad - we could only find this place.......

RIDER DOWN!!!!!

Or the Donkey dropped it......

On the approach to the Pass we hit temporary traffic lights. Not wanting to get stuck behind a queue of traffic we skipped round to the front. Rider 1 stopped and Rider 2 stopped using Rider 1! The pannier bags kissed and Rider 2 went sideways towards the tarmac.

These are heavy bikes - plus luggage - plus we had just fuelled - over 300kg. Full of instant adrenaline Rider 2 had the bike up in no time and we were back away before the lights changed. The traffic queue were probably pissin 'em sens - 'serves them right'???

We carried on and stopped at the top of the Pass - 2,500m.

The Pass has been around for a few years.

A beer was in order to calm the nerves. Rider 2 is very proud of his showroom condition bike and this gave him time to contemplate.

Don't do it Bruv - don't do it!

We then went back to inspect the damage. Rider 2's bike had got off lightly. Rider 1's pannier is not quite as securely attached as it was at the start of the day. Ermmmm.........

It turned into a long day and got hotter up to 30 degrees. After 7pm we rolled into Riva del Garda. At least the pool looked alright.

The nosh wasn't far behind - as wasn't a well earned kip.