Laces (Latsch) to Resia (Reschen) - 30 May

May 30

Today we rode up the Alps, from our campsite at Laces (687m) to Resia, a little town at the end of a large lake and just near the Austrian border. At just over 1500m this is the highest point of our journey.

The day started with our little group in good spirits, if a bit weary from the daily riding, headwinds etc. We farewelled our friendly German neighbours and hit the road. The route took us back across the Adige River and seemed to wind endlessly through town with the usual shortage of signs.

Colourful trains in this part of the world.

True to form we missed a turn somewhere and found ourselves at an intersection with a very busy road heading for Schlanders. After a discussion about whether to backtrack or press on we continued towards Schlanders. We were all relieved to find a sign pointing towards the bike route after only about 2km on the busy road.

Lots of this.

The Adige River is not very big at this end.

At this point we were actually going thewrong way for a bit - but it was worth it!

Most of the ride for the rest of the day was on dedicated cycle paths. It was a beautiful sunny day, climbing towards the pass through lush green fields, orchards and forests with a backdrop of snow-capped mountains. Fairly early in the day Rod decided to go ahead at his own pace. We stopped for a coffee at a cafe just as he was leaving and we didn't see him again. The trouble with bike paths is that they generally have a lot more ups and downs, or steeper ups, than a corresponding road. On our way up the Alps we wasted elevation gain many times with little downhill sections.

Presumably a WWII concrete bunker.

This was just after the steepest climb of the day.

There were a few very steep sections, most memorable being as we approached Birgusio. At one point both Tracey and I overtook a much younger man walking up a steep pinch with his lightweight road bike. The steepest pinch required me to stand on the pedals in my lowest gear (30/34).

Just after that we stopped for a shared lunch of spag bol and weiner schnitzel.

Our lunch spot.

After lunch we made the final push up to almost 1500m. We still had about 12km of up and down riding alongside the high lakes to get to Resia.

It was going to be a cold night, and we both agreed we needed a non-camping night. Rod had phoned us to let us know he was camping a few km past Resia. We pulled in to the first place we saw, a very nice little guest house and restaurant right at the end of the lake. We asked the lady inside about a room for the night in our best German (zimmer frei?) and received a no, so we decided to have a coffee there (and use the amenities). Drinking our coffee on the outside terrace, Tracey asked the lady where we might find a room. She went inside and returned with her husband who appeared wearing a cowboy hat and speaking loudly in German. Whatever he said amused the other customers. He then approached us and explained that he spoke numerous languages, but very little English. I think he assumed we were Americans initially, but we eventally managed to correct that. There had evidently been a change of mind about the no vacancy, because he led us inside to show us where we could stay, which was a very nice, recently renovated room with a magnificent mountain view (like nearly every room in this part of the world) and a modern bathroom. The quoted price was not cheap but included dinner and breakfast. We were the only house guests for the night. The view over the lake to the sunset light on the snow capped mountains in the distance was impossible to properly capture in a photo. In the course of drinks and dinner we learned that the proprietor is the father of nine children, is a great grandfather at age 67, and has lived in the same place all his life. It certainly is a beautiful place.

At dinner.

Tracey having an animated discussion with our host (someone has to take the photos).

The view!