Headway Systems: Cycling in Italy

Day 5 Today's ride we're going to circumnavigate Lago Trasimeno counter clockwise.

The gang gets ready to pull out.

Cortona is up the hill in the distance.	Any time is a good time for roadside adjustments.

Bruce riding by an olive orchard.	We took a side road to avoid a main highway.


The first cappuccino break for the day.	Roy checking the goods.
Don't worry Sherman, we'll get you a gelato too.	Bill parting the way. Most shops seemed to have these lovely beaded curtains to keep the flies out I think.
On the road again	Of course we had to stop in the local bike shop and check it out.


Castiglione del Lago This town has Etruscan and Roman origins and its largely sixteenth century castle is well preserved. The fortified passageway was part of a defensive scheme that in the thirteenth century made it one of Europe's most impregnable fortresses.




Wonderful, enticing shops within the walls of the original town where we purchased some wild boar sausage for afternoon appies. With great shops like these, it's no wonder they needed the walls to keep the hoards out... ...maybe the wild boars too.


After leaving Castiglione and reaching the bottom of the lake we head east towards Magione.	This fellow wasn't going to let the opportunity to draft us get away. He tucked in behind Roy until we turned off.

Strange wind effects?	Abandoned building along the side of the road.


	Now turning to head north towards Magione.

From this roadside view point you can see Castiglione across the lake. (looking west)		This view is looking mostly north towards Passignano. If you look closely, you'll see some of the many poles sticking out of the lake.


We stopped at a roadside truck stop for a wonderful lunch.
These poles are there to hold nets to catch fish.	This seemed like a real lakeside resort with a few boats at anchor.





More ruins along side the road.
A great day for a dip. The lake is really shallow so we had to walk a long way out to get above our knees.	Passignano This is a resort town and popular with the Italians. The waterfront is the main focus with bars, disco's and restaurants. Above in the old centre there is a couple of churches and a small castle.

It was a great spot to stop for a break and to admire the view on the water front. Cappuccinos and Gelatos was more likely the calling.
We headed up the hill to explore the town.
A bike route?	Remains of the castle wall.

I think this was some sort of small museum with old artefacts and a small skiff.	These buildings were obviously built before cars came along. You can see where the wall has had to be cut away to allow cars to navigate the corner.

View from the top of the castle.	Bill making his way back down the streets and to the main road.
From Passignano we made our way across the top of the lake and then retraced our route back to Camucia. We had a great tail-wind and really rolled!
Myrna and Bill serving up tonight's dinner.

Myrna serves the minestrone...	....while Brian wrestles with the bread. Watch out for those carbs. They're sneaky.

Shift into gear for Day 6.
Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, Day 8, Day 9, Day 10, Day 11, Day 12, Day 13, Feast