Day 12 Riding with me Mate

http://www.strava.com/activities/129178360

My Warm Shower Host has a flat that looks over Innsbruck Airport (this is where Martin will arrive today and join me for 4 days), if your like me and remain fascinated by flying stuff, this is good. If I am honest, the view of Innsbruck is great, but nothing really to write home about.  Until This……..

Now I get it, this is just as we leave town and head out too pick up the Brenner Pass, I’m not really sure what or why I would know this pass, but something tells me its going to be memorable….

I have agreed to meet Martin under the Golden Roof (legend has it that any Woman that gazes upon the Roof shall remain forever young in their lovers eyes….) its a bit of a local Landmark, its pretty special and so is the old part of Town.  What was not so pretty from above is well worth a visit….. Not a cloud in the sky helps!!

What I have learnt about ‘important’ roads in Europe is that they are not allowed to be over a certain “steepness”, I reckon this means that although its going to make the journey a little longer, its just going to be a case of selecting my lowest gear and spinning!! Perfect, its a really warm day, probably close to 20c at the bottom.  I guess its a matter of opinion, but in my eyes the Autostrada which crosses back and forward over the valley is a pretty amazing feat of Engineering and also is something that has to be seen.

I have accepted (and rather liked) the fact that for the next four days,  firstly all I have to do is follow a fella who is absolutely mad about this part of Northern Italy and Austria and is going to be eating Nice food and expecting more than Canvas over his head at night. If you have not tried Austrian food, know this , the portions are Jason size (massive) and probably best compared to English comfort food, flippin Brilliant. Here is a 7 Euro Weiner Schnitzel, cooked beautifully by the side of the Road.

Of course there has to be a reason for the Brenner Pass, its this,  Italiano Coffee, well earned after a good old grind (and to be honest a bit of a push for the last Kilometre….)   See the faces…. Smell the Coffee.

Its funny you know, we are in Italy but everyone speaks German……  Coffee still tastes proper Italian though…  Just the sort of preparation for a nice big descent into the Italian side of the Brenner Pass, but even the best of descents has to be stopped for great people coming the other way, and here they are, Werner 64 and his Son Fabian are just heading back to Innsbruck after a ‘small’ loop over the Malojapass, past lake Como and back up the Brenner Pass….. To be fair Fabian has most of the gear, but triple Kudos to Werner, they is BIG Hills, he’s no youngster but is still out and about………..

Austria has given me some most amazing and memorable moments in the Snow and over a few Hills, something I will always remember. The Tyroleans are really nice people, and the Valley down to Innsbruck has unforgettable food for the eyes and its really easy to just follow the superbly signposted cycle paths, its all very much like Germany in this respect.  I have found this out, Austrians may come across as a little ‘rude’ sometimes, not always ready with a smile and a wave, but that’s the ‘reserved nature’ of these people, stop and chat and they are just great.  Its an immaculate and well oiled nation.

The Northern part of Italy is well, just a little more relaxed in how people react to you and in the way it looks, maybe a little tired, but I love that charm and its more amazing eye food (the countryside).

We take a left into the Val Pusteria which is the start of the Dolomites and its own unique style…  The Large climb anticipated does not appear and its time to put Martin on the Black Flash, its great to see all my gear being pulled by someone and although he does his best not to show the pain, I can see it and (as mates should be) am extremely pleased to witness this.

An amazing 20 Euro Pension finishes the day, chuffed to be here… Bella Italiano….