Munich to Rome 2024

✈️ When Liz couldn’t come, the shared ride I planned suddenly became my first solo trip to Munich — unexpected, a bit daunting, but exciting too 💛. Once I’d landed and bought the train ticket, everything went smoothly, and that was when the adventure really started to sink in 🚆🚴‍♀️. The next 12 days held 820 miles and over 51,000 feet of climbing on the bikes — big numbers on paper, but the sort that turn into the best stories later 💛.

.🌊 Starnberg greeted me with calm lake views and an elegant town, a refreshing contrast after the rush of the airport. By the time I reached the hotel, I was beginning to relax properly. It wasn’t the journey I planned, but it was already shaping up to be one I’d remember — unexpected, slightly uncharted, and full of new moments to soak in 💛.🌊

I was looking forward to the days of cycling ahead 🚴‍♀️💛. Long climbs, changing scenery, new places, and riding as part of a group — it all felt like part of one adventure. Personal or shared, it didn’t matter so much — I just felt ready to ride and make the most of every mile.

Saturday 21 September – Starnberg

☀️ The perfect place to start — a gentle introduction to Bavaria and a lovely way to ease into the adventure ahead. Fresh legs, big smiles, and that “here we go” feeling. 🚴‍♀️💛

🌤️ The next day, I had the whole morning to myself. I’d thought about heading into Munich, but staying local won out — rest, coffee, and enjoying the town felt like the better choice 😌. That afternoon I was reunited with my bike, relieved to see the battery, chargers, and all the essentials had made it too ✔️🔋.

The welcome dinner followed that evening, where I met the rest of the riders — most already seasoned by tours with Peak Tours. We also got our briefing from Tina, Michael and Mike, who talked us through the days ahead. By the end of the night, the excitement had properly kicked in — we were southbound in the morning, and the adventure suddenly felt very real 💛🚴‍♀️.

The familiar Peak Tours vans were part of the daily rhythm too 🚐💛. We had two — one for luggage and spare bikes, and the second for day bags, snacks, chargers, and everything needed for our brew stops. Reassuring to know help, kit and caffeine were never far behind us.

Sunday 22 September – Day 1: Starnberg to Mittenwald

🌄 The adventure truly began today — my first real taste of the Bavarian landscape. Snow-dusted peaks, quiet paths and that excited feeling of finally being on the move. What a start. 🚴‍♀️💛

☀️ We started our journey to Rome in picture-perfect weather — sunny, dry, and with just the right touch of calmness in the air. The first leg of the ride was a breeze, with mostly flat terrain that let us ease into the rhythm of the journey. 🚴‍♀️

Our first brew stop was a simple lay-by moment — the red Peak Tours van, a table, and a group of riders in our brand-new jerseys 🚐☕. Matching tour shirts made it feel instantly special 🚴‍♀️💛. Hot drinks and flapjacks did the job, chatter flowed, then wheels pointed south again.

Our lunch stop in Penzberg was a lovely, sunny pause at a small restaurant — relaxed, good food, and plenty of chat around the tables 🍽️☀️💛.

After refuelling, the hills came fast — two solid climbs in quick succession, each followed by long, feel-good descents ⛰️🚴‍♀️💨. The day turned social too, with photo stops and snack breaks dotted along the ride. A cracking mid-day reset before the road pulled us on again.

📸🍫 It soon became clear what a lovely, friendly group of riders we had. 🤝✨ The little chats at photo stops and snack breaks made the whole day feel easy and welcoming.

This little spot made me smile — a quirky hay-bale chicken outside a tiny farm stall, with the Alps sitting quietly in the background. It felt so typically Bavarian: charming, a bit eccentric, and surrounded by beautiful open fields.

It was such a joy to cycle through the Bavarian countryside — beautiful villages, sweeping views and mountains topped with a light dusting of snow. ❄️⛰️

The ride towards Mittenwald was an absolute joy 🚴‍♀️. We followed smooth cycle paths through quiet forests and open meadows, with the mountains closing in around us 🏔️. It felt peaceful and spacious all at once — a gentle, beautiful way to finish the day. 🌄

We arrived in Mittenwald — an absolutely beautiful place — catching sight of the twin towers of the old parish church and even the local brewery, said to be one of Germany’s highest 🍻🏔️. The colourful houses, painted facades and mountain backdrop gave the town a magical feel, and every corner seemed picture-perfect. It’s one of those places that stays with you. ✨ ✨

Mittenwald is famous for its violins, so I loved spotting this beautiful wooden sculpture in the centre of town. The huge carved violin is so striking and really sums up the town’s long tradition of violin-making.

🍷 That evening I joined the group and we found a lovely place for a drink and something to eat. Dining outside felt like stepping into a postcard, surrounded by elegant houses and mountain views. 🏡🌙

💛 It had been an incredible start to the trip — Bavaria really is a beautiful place.

📍 Route Summary – Day One

Monday 23 September – Day 2: Mittenwald to Nauders

⛰️ A day of proper alpine riding — long climbs, big views and that amazing feeling of crossing borders on two wheels. Tough at times, but absolutely unforgettable. 🚴‍♀️💛

☀️ The day kicked off bright and early with a 7 am breakfast and we were on the road by 8. Leaving Mittenwald behind, we headed straight into the cool morning air and our first proper climb — a steady, gentle ascent through crisp peaks and forested slopes. The views opened up almost immediately, and it felt like a true Alpine day was beginning. 🚴‍♀️🏔️

At one point the path dropped close to the river, where a small weir spilled into that pale, milky-blue water — a lovely quiet moment before the day opened up again.”

One of the highlights of the Leutasch Valley was spotting the beautiful onion-domed church set against the rock faces of the Wetterstein range

After a few hours of riding and an exhilarating descent, we rolled into the little town of Tilfs. We stopped for a quick round of photos 📸, took a moment to breathe and stretch our legs🌲, then headed back out of town, following the quiet lanes and valley views before carrying on to find our first brew stop of the day ☕.

Our morning brew stop was in a small parking spot just off the road, the red van easy to spot in the sunshine. A quick top-up of drinks and snacks, a chat in the fresh Alpine air, and we were ready to roll again.

After leaving the brew stop we dropped down to the Inn River, which was wide, calm and softly turquoise at this stage. It was an easy, open stretch of riding with long views and gentle bends — a lovely contrast to the climbs earlier in the day.

Lunchtime found us at a service station right on the cycle path, serving a spread that honestly put most UK services to shame 😄. Sitting in the sunshine ☀️ with the mountains around us ⛰️, we tucked into surprisingly good food and soaked up the views. An unexpected little stop — and a really lovely one. 💛

We rode past wide green fields and tidy farms, curious cows watching us go by 🐄🚴‍♀️. It was a calm, open stretch, a nice easy lead-in before the valley began to narrow again 💛⛰️

The Inn Valley narrowed here, and the river turned fast and rocky — a dramatic change from the calm stretches earlier in the day.

We followed the turquoise river through a long alpine valley, moving between quiet forest roads and smooth cycle paths by the water 🚴‍♀️🌿. The scenery was steady and enjoyable, the kind you ride through without fuss. A twin-towered church above a village finally gave us a landmark before we carried on south again ⛰️💛.

🚌Not long after, our plans to cycle through Austria, dip briefly into Switzerland, and then back into Austria came to an abrupt halt. A landslide had closed the road 🚫⛰️, and all the diverted traffic was now thundering along the exact route we were meant to ride. Bikes were banned so we had to load the bikes onto minibuses for the final stretch.

By the time we reached Nauders, the weather had turned — dark, wet and pretty miserable 🌧️😅. Not the ending we’d hoped for, but it didn’t take away from what had been a fantastic day on the bikes.

📍 Route Summary – Day Two

Tuesday 24 September - Day 3: Nauders to Bolzano

⬇️ A glorious day of endless downhill and changing landscapes — from chilly mountain air to warm valley sunshine. One of those rides where everything just feels easy and fabulous 🚴‍♀️💛.

Nauders was wrapped in low cloud as we rolled out after another early start – one of those atmospheric mornings where everything feels a little muted and the world is still half-asleep.

After a short climb to warm the legs, we got the fun part — a long descent on proper traffic-free cycle paths, hugging the edge of a glistening alpine reservoir ⛰️🚴‍♀️💛. It felt like that effortless stretch where you just relax into the ride.

The landscape softened and opened beautifully as we sped along, forests and meadows rolling past, open meadows breathing space into the valley, and those sweeping mountain-framed views stretching for miles, making the riding feel effortless and endlessly joyful. It was absolutely stunning – the kind of day that reminds you why you clipped into the pedals in the first place The scenery seemed to change with every turn — such a pleasure to ride through.

The landscape opened up as we sped along, forests and meadows rolling past, with plenty of mountain-backed greenery around us 🚴‍♀️💨🌿⛰️. 🚴‍♀️💨🌿⛰️The route was just fabulous, taking us past sparkling lakes, calm reservoirs and a handful of very quaint little villages 🚴‍♀️🌿. It was simply a joy to ride — the sort of day where the memories come from the saddle, not the stops 💛.

We followed the peaceful cycle path along the right-hand side of the reservoir, crossing a series of small bridges that added a lovely rhythm to the ride. One bridge added a bit more drama than expected – my front tyre suddenly flicked left and I took a tumble, ending up in a heap on the far side. Thankfully, I was fine except for a deep gash on one finger. Pride dented, yes. Damage lasting, no. And true to cyclist form, I got straight back on the bike because the brew stop was not far ☕🚴‍♀️💛

We carried on southwards through orchards and vineyards. Lunch came a bit later at a pizza place, right on the cycle path, where we sat outside, grabbed great pizza, and enjoyed a deliciously easy, drama-free pause before rolling on toward Bolzano. 🍕🚴‍♀️💛

The afternoon ride took us through the vineyards along the Val Venosta valley, the harvest in full swing. Neat rows of vines ran alongside the path, grapes already gathered in many places, and the scent of apples still drifting from the surrounding orchards. It was smooth, easy riding on quiet, well-kept cycle tracks, stopping just long enough for photos before rolling on toward Bolzano. No rush – just classic South Tyrol scenery doing the hard work for us 🍇🚴‍♀️💛

⬇️ Today’s descent of around 6,233 feet felt like such a gift after the tough climbing of the previous day — mile after mile of sweeping cycle paths, lakes, reservoirs and picture-perfect villages. It really was one of those days where you just sit back, enjoy the freewheeling, and soak up the scenery 🚴‍♀️🌿.

The approach into Bolzano was kinder than I expected — the cycle route sweeps around the city’s edge on superb, well-laid paths, easing you from orchards and open riding into a polished urban heart without any drama 🚴‍♀️🏙️. And then, suddenly, there it was: grand buildings, an alpine-Italian confidence in every corner, and that unmistakable Germanic influence in the chatter and street names 🇩🇪✨. Bolzano has a glossy, almost glamorous feel — in no rush, yet a little bit grand.

Our hotel sat just a short walk from the station 🚉 and close to Piazza Walter von der Vogelweide, where the group met later for beers 🍺. It was lovely to catch up, swap a few ride stories and talk maps for the next day, but I could feel the tiredness sneaking in. So, instead of lingering, I grabbed a simple meal deal from a nearby shop and wandered back to my room, very happy to put my feet up 💛 — a perfect, uncomplicated end to a cracking day on the bike.

📍 Route Summary – Day Three

Wednesday 25 September – Day 4: Bolzano to Torbole

🌞 A day that unfolded beautifully — vineyards, sunshine and lakeside views, ending with that first magical glimpse of Lake Garda. One of those rides that just lifts the heart 🚴‍♀️💛.

What a day it was. We set off early and rolled out of Bolzano, spending most of the morning on beautifully scenic cycle paths 🚴‍♀️🌿. The weather was gorgeous, the views were stunning, and the whole ride felt bright and effortless — one of those mornings where everything just clicks.

We cycled through vineyards, weaving our way along the valley, with the hillsides rising around us and rows of grapes stretching out in every direction 🍇⛰️.

We stopped for lunch in a quaint hillside town, we definitely do an awful lot of eating.

After lunch we continued on towards Trento, rolling along more lovely cycle paths before gathering in the city centre. We arrived to an unexpected bonus — it was graduation day, so the streets were full of young people beautifully dressed and celebrating with their families 🎓💐. The whole place had such a joyful buzz.

We stopped in the main square for photographs, soaking up the atmosphere and the stunning surroundings. It really was fabulous ✨.

Getting out of Trento proved trickier than expected. The road over the river that should have taken us back to the cycle path had completely disappeared into a maze of roadworks 🚧. With Garmin, Maps, and plenty of head scratching, we eventually worked out a way through and managed to rejoin the route — much to everyone’s relief and delight! 😄

The afternoon was spent riding into a headwind along the river — one of those stretches that seems to go on for mile after mile 💨🚴‍♀️. But eventually we rolled into Torbole, right on the banks of Lake Garda, and suddenly everything felt worth it. We rewarded ourselves with a well-deserved beer and a very posh ice cream by the water 🍺🍨 — the perfect end to a long, windy afternoon.

By the time we checked in and settled for the evening, it felt like we’d had one of those truly memorable days on the bike — a mix of effort, scenery, laughter and little surprises. A big day, but such a good one 💛🚴‍♀️.

📍 Route Summary – Day Four

Thursday 26 September – Day 5: Torbole to Mantova

🍦 From lakeside views to city squares, today had a bit of everything — gelato stops, long spins on flat roads and a late roll into Mantova. A full day, but such a good one 🚴‍♀️💛.

The day started off looking a bit damp, and luckily it was planned to be a shorter one on the bikes. It was a real pity the ferry trip across Lake Garda had to be cancelled — they’d had problems with it on the previous tour — we were all disappointed to miss the adventure. But it couldn’t be helped.

Instead, we meandered around the lake by minibus, taking in some absolutely stunning views along the way 🚐🌊⛰️. Not the crossing we’d hoped for, but still a beautiful way to see Lake Garda, and definitely the safest option with the busy road that hugs the shoreline.

We arrived in Bardolino, where our bikes were waiting for us. The weather surprised us — we set off in light rain, but it soon brightened and turned into warm sunshine 🌦️➡️☀️.

The ride began with a tough climb, which actually felt good after so many flat miles. Once over the top, we dropped down and joined a canal path, and suddenly everyone came to life — we all bombed along at full speed 🚴‍♀️💨, stopping only to admire the ancient stone walls that showed just how old this canal really was.

Lunch was a lovely, relaxed stop with Rachel, Claire, Helen and Richard, listening to Richard’s stories of his days as a professional racing driver in top-of-the-range saloon cars 🚗🏁 — brilliant entertainment and a great break in the day.

Next stop after lunch was Verona 🇮🇹 — what an absolutely beautiful place, firmly on my bucket list to visit again at a slower pace. The route we were following gave us a great little tour of the sights 🏛️🚴‍♀️.

We spent far too long in Verona eating gelato and taking photos 🍨📸 — completely worth it, but it did mean we left much later than planned. From there it was full speed ahead along long, straight roads as we pushed on towards Mantova, arriving later than expected but still buzzing from such a brilliant afternoon 🚴‍♀️💨..

Luckily, dinner was just a stone’s throw from our hotel on the town square, which was perfect after such a long day. I tried the local speciality of pumpkin ravioli — an experience, but definitely not something I’ll be rushing to eat again! 😅🎃

📍 Route Summary – Day Five

Friday 27 September – Day 6: Mantova to Guiglia

🌾 A long, steady day across the Po Plain before climbing back into the hills — big miles, big effort and big laughs. Finishing in Guiglia felt like such an achievement 🚴‍♀️💛.

It was going to be a long day in the saddle as we headed south across the Po Plain — all open skies and endless flats. The route traced raised canal levees and Po tributaries, giving us hours of steady, pancake-flat riding 🚴‍♀️🌾. Beautiful, but wonderfully uniform — the kind of landscape you ride through, not one that demands a photo. It was a day for settling in, finding your rhythm, and letting the countryside roll out at its own quiet pace.

We stopped for lunch at a fish farm, of all places — complete with a really quirky entrance that made us all smile 🐟😁. It was a fun little detour and a great spot to refuel before getting back on the bikes.

Later in the afternoon we had a culture stop in Carpi to admire Piazza Martiri — a vast, almost empty square with not a tourist in sight (except us, of course!) 🇮🇹✨. It felt incredible to stand in such a huge open space, soaking up the history and atmosphere of a place most people probably ride straight past. An amazing stop.

The afternoon stayed completely flat until the latter part of the day, when the route began to rise gently on undulating country roads as we headed towards the base of the Apennines. At one point we passed a farm producing balsamic vinegar, the smell drifting across the road as we cycled by.

Along the levees we spotted what we thought were otters splashing about 🐾 — but we were later told they were probably Nutria, which makes a lot more sense for the area. A funny little moment that kept us chatting for miles!

We had a final tough climb up to our evening’s accommodation in the quaint village of Guiglia, where a well-earned rest was definitely waiting for us. I was very grateful to still have plenty of battery left to help me up that last ascent — it had been a long but really fantastic day 🚴‍♀️💛.

A few beers outside when we arrived went down perfectly 🍺, and later we all met for a lovely meal together. We even had birthday cake and a rendition of Happy Birthday for American 🇺🇸 John — such a fun, friendly evening. We were certainly well fed that night!

By the time we headed to bed, it really felt like another one of those days we’d remember — long, varied, full of effort, laughter and little surprises. A tough climb, beautiful landscapes, great company and a brilliant evening to finish it off. Exactly the kind of day that makes these trips so special 💛🚴‍♀️✨.

📍 Route Summary – Day Six

Saturday 28 September 2024 – Day 7: Guiglia to Pistoia

⛰️ Back into the mountains today — long climbs, sweeping views and that amazing 12-mile descent into Pistoia. One of those days where everything just came together beautifully 🚴‍♀️💛.

What a brilliant start to the day — an early morning briefing overlooking the most fabulous view ☀️⛰️. Spirits were high, the sun was out, and it set the tone perfectly. From there it was a day marked by exhilarating cycling and stunning scenery, the kind that keeps you smiling as you ride 🚴‍♀️💛.

The long, winding hills gave us a proper challenge, a welcome change after days of flat riding. The views across the Apennines were worth every turn ⛰️✨. Being back in the mountains felt brilliant — fresh air, climbs to get stuck into, and roads that kept the ride interesting. My legs were on great form that day, happy to be climbing again and doing what they’re built for 🚴‍♀️💪💛.

🚴‍♀️💨 A really fabulous mornings cycling with lunch in a beautiful square, we were there before the restaurant opened at 12 o'clock 💛🍽️

As we pedalled our way through the day, the hours just flew by — a mix of conquering the hills, enjoying the fabulous descents, and soaking up the constantly changing scenery around us 🚴‍♀️⛰️💨. It was one of those rare days where everything simply felt fun.

This was a stunning spa town, very quiet but I'm sure in season it would be bustling with tourists.

The road toward Pistoia curved along the Apennine valley in a steady series of bends, often quite enclosed, with steep wooded slopes close on either side. It meandered gently with the contours, briefly opening to the river or hillside houses before winding back into the folds of the mountains – sheltered, rhythmic, and quietly beautiful.

The day finished with a brilliant 12-mile, 2,000-foot descent — long, fast and properly exhilarating 🚴‍♀️💨⛰️. We’d had clear skies and perfect riding weather again, which made every bit of the day feel easier. By the time we arrived, it really did feel like holiday mode had fully clicked in 💛. One of my favourite ride days of the whole trip — no contest.

📍 Route Summary – Day Seven

Saturday 28 September 2024 – Day 8 : Pistoia to Siena

⛰️ Back into the mountains today — long climbs, sweeping views and that amazing 12-mile descent into Pistoia. One of those days where everything just came together beautifully 🚴‍♀️💛.

A long day of riding lay ahead as we rolled out from Pistoia, bikes prepped, my rattling mudguard silenced (thanks Rob), and endless Italian miles waiting to unfold 🚴‍♀️💛.

This day was was truly fabulous. We had kicked things off with a real adrenaline rush, cycling back down from Pistoia — such a fun start to the morning 🚴‍♀️💨.

The scenery had changed completely again. Suddenly we were into those soft, rolling hills and warm colours of Tuscany, and it was just beautiful. We spent the whole morning dipping in and out of the hills, stopping far too often for photos and to soak it all in. Honestly, it’s the kind of place that keeps stealing your attention every few minutes 🌾⛰️✨

Sunday lunch at a charming mountainside restaurant was a real treat — a delicious spread, a shady terrace, and a view that rolled out over forests and peaks below ⛰️🌿. A perfect refuel before the miles called again 🚴‍♀️💛.

Our afternoon brew stop was high in the mountains — a welcome breather with winding roads, pine forests and distant peaks layered all around ☕⛰️🌿. The soundtrack of Sunday came from a group of young lads tearing up and down on motorbikes, clearly in their element, until the mood shifted with news of a bad crash and one of them seriously hurt. It stopped us in our tracks for a moment — a quiet reminder to ease off the pace and appreciate the simple luck of riding safely.

A landscape of stone buildings, quiet roadside traditions, and mountain-backed roads weaving between olive trees ⛰️🌿.

After the brew stop, it was back on the bikes and straight into the miles 🚴‍♀️⛰️. We rode on until the next town, Castellina , where we stopped for fabulous ice cream at a parlour Tina had recommended 🍦💛

We finally rolled into Siena, and a few beers in the garden went down very well after such a full day 🍺😊. After a quick change we wandered into town — what a beautiful city. Definitely one to come back to as a proper tourist someday.

It was lovely to see, but we didn’t linger long; another long day had caught up with us. We grabbed a simple pizza stop for tea 🍕 and called it a night, ready to recharge before the next stage.

📍 Route Summary – Day Eight

Monday 30 September – Day 9: Siena to Orvieto

☀️ A day of heat, hills and constantly changing landscapes — tougher in places, but full of character. And finishing in beautiful Orvieto felt like such a reward 🚴‍♀️💛.

We started the morning in Siena with a cracking breakfast — the perfect fuel for another big day on the bikes 🚴‍♀️☀️💛. Packing up felt good; a mix of excitement and calm, the sun already warming the air and the Tuscan countryside waiting just beyond the city..

What a day today! The scenery took quite a wild turn as we tackled a series of rolling hills, and you could really feel the heat building as we pushed further south ☀️🚴‍♀️.

The landscape kept changing around us — a clear sign we were making proper southern progress. Every few miles felt different!

I had a little side-adventure in this quiet Tuscan village — winding lanes, stone houses and very steep steps 🏘️⛰️. Siesta meant silence: shutters closed, empty streets and not much help in sight, until two workmen pointed me the right way 🙌. I got completely lost for about 20 minutes, hauling my e-bike up and down before anything looked familiar, losing a bit of time and the group, but all was well in the end 💛. The sort of mishap that becomes a better story later than it ever felt in the moment! 🍺🚴‍♀️

We reached the station and took the funicular up to the old town — such an interesting little ride, climbing right up the side of the hill 🚞⛰️. Before long we were stepping out into Old Orvieto, where we’d be spending the night. What a place!

Before long we were stepping out into Old Orvieto, where we’d be spending the night. What a place!

That night we all met for a meal, but tiredness caught up with me. I had a little wander around the ancient town, grabbed some butties from a local shop, and called it a night 🚉🏛️💛. Simple, quiet, and exactly what I needed after a long day.

📍 Route Summary – Day Nine

Tuesday 1 October – Day 10: Orvieto to Farnese

🚴‍♀️ Another big day of climbs, heat and rough roads — challenging at times, but full of surprises and little moments that kept us going. A real sense of progress as we edged closer to Rome 💛.

We started the day with a lovely group photo in front of the cathedral — such an impressive building and a perfect backdrop to begin our final stretch together 📸⛪😊.

The day was a real mix — long climbs that seemed to go on forever, paired with descents that swung between smooth and exhilarating to downright bone-shaking thanks to some pretty rough road surfaces 🚴‍♀️🔥.

The weather, though, made up for everything: clear blue skies, sunshine from the start, and a steady rise in heat as the day went on ☀️💙. It felt like classic Italy — big landscapes, hard work on the legs, and those moments when you look around and think, this is why we ride 🌄💛.

As we headed into Farnese, we ran straight into roadworks — the cycle path just vanished, leaving us all looking around thinking, help… where now? 😅 Thankfully I had company, and waiting for Denise and Rob turned out to be a very smart move.

There was a full road closure ahead, so we needed to detour around it. A few riders decided to take a “shortcut” and ignore the signs 🙈 — but the rest of us stuck to the official diversion and eventually found our way through without too much bother!

We eventually navigated our way to the hotel after a few twists and turns — a mix of Google, Garmin and a bit of trial and error got us there in the end 😅📍.

This was the final day of the epic miles and huge elevation, rounding off four days of monster distances and climbing. Honestly, just amazing.

Over those four days we’d clocked up around 320 miles and 24,000 feet of elevation, with breathtaking views and descents that swung from smooth sailing to seriously rough — the kind of ruts and collapsed road edges you’d never see in the UK! The constant braking really took its toll on the hands 🫶💥.

It was an awesome, challenging stretch, and major kudos to everyone riding it without an e-bike — absolutely incredible effort 💛🚴‍♀️💪.

📍 Route Summary – Day Ten

Wednesday 2 October 2024 – Day 11: Farnese to Bagni di Stigliano

🌄 The final big push — long climbs, rough roads and that feeling of grit and determination. Hard work at times, but full of progress and pride as Rome drew closer with every mile 🚴‍♀️💛.

Today was meant to be an “easy” one — just 50 miles with 4,500 feet of climbing. A walk in the park… or maybe not 😅. Little did I know what surprises were waiting for me!

It actually started off really fantastic: very cold to begin with, but it soon warmed up. Our first brew stop felt quite special — croissants and posh coffee, taken at a completely leisurely pace ☕🥐. No rushing at all, because for once we only had a short day ahead of us. Bliss!

Back on the bikes, we had more ups, downs and steep climbs ahead — that buzz when you crest a tough hill is hard to beat 🚴‍♀️⛰️. The morning was lovely, but my ride took an unexpected turn as I descended into town for lunch. At a roundabout, I paused to check traffic from the right, moved to take the next exit, changed lanes — and suddenly clipped a small concrete curb between the lanes. It sent me down hard 😔.

Luckily it was mostly grazes, a bruised hip and a broken helmet — but it did mean my cycling ended there for the rest of the tour. Two Italian cyclists were by my side within seconds, hauling the bike off the road and making sure I was alright. 💛.

Michael arrived and picked me and my bike up (still in one piece — bike included, thankfully!) 🛠️🚴‍♀️. When we reached the lunch stop, that same kindness carried on: sorting seats, fetching drinks, and making sure I had what I needed. I knew my cycling day was over, but their support made it feel softer, and I was very grateful to have them around 💛.

All was not lost. After resting in the hotel for a while, I finally ventured out to meet the group and ended up having a really lovely evening with Claire and Rachel, and the two Johns 💛. We found a little Italian restaurant tucked away off the beaten track — simple, friendly and just what I needed.

It turned into such a nice night, and amazingly it was the first time I’d been up after 10 o’clock on the whole trip! A small victory in itself 😄✨.

📍 Route Summary – Day Eleven

Thursday 3 October – Day 12: Bagni di Stigliano to Rome

💛 The final day — bittersweet, emotional and full of pride. Not the finish I’d imagined, but still a special end to an unforgettable journey, with Rome waiting at the end of the line 🇮🇹✨.

It was a really sad moment watching the final briefing and knowing I wouldn’t be cycling with everyone on the last day. After giving my head such a severe bang the day before, I still wasn’t feeling quite right — and with the weather looking pretty grim too, it just didn’t make sense to push it.

I’d had such a fabulous trip up to that point, and in the end it felt far more sensible to take the train into Rome and give myself the chance to see a few sights instead 🚆🇮🇹. I suppose I’ll always regret not cycling that last stretch, but this trip was about the whole journey, not just the final destination 💛.

I did manage to see a bit of town in daylight as I walked to the station with Stephen, who was feeling too ill to ride. It was good to have company, even if neither of us was at our best 💛

Rome was the perfect finale: buzzing streets, big history, and plenty of surprises just around the next corner 🚦🏛️. We spent time wandering through the Monti district, all narrow lanes, old buildings, and small piazzas where you can’t help slowing down to look around. We took in several sights nearby too — fountains, churches, and ancient columns hidden in plain view. It felt like the part of Rome that gives you the real atmosphere, not just the postcard version — lively, layered, and memorable 💛

After spending a few hours exploring the sights and soaking up a bit of Rome’s magic, we headed to the hotel to reunite with the group as they finished their final cycling miles. It was lovely to be there to welcome them in and share that end-of-journey buzz together 💛🇮🇹..

We finished the tour with a final group meal, and it turned into such a great night. Nick’s speech was absolutely brilliant — he had us all in stitches 😂. Certificates were handed out, stories were shared, and the whole evening had that perfect “end of tour” feeling 💛✨. A wonderful way to wrap things up

The amazing adventure was over, and suddenly it was back to reality.

It truly had been an incredible 12 days — wonderful cycling, ever-changing landscapes, and a fantastic group of companions to share it all with 💛🚴‍♀️✨.

A colossal thank you to the dream team — Tina, Mike and Michael — for keeping us on two wheels (mostly!) and looking after us so well throughout the tour. They really were outstanding.

Huge thanks as well to Lindsey, Jacqui, John (Copper), Mike and Debra, Andy (a fellow Welshman!), John, Rachel, Claire, Rob and Denise, John and Nick, Steve, Helen and Richard, Jon, John Hickie, John Coombs, Pete, Dave and Jo. You were such a great group, and you made me feel so welcome from day one.

I absolutely loved seeing the pin drop each night with the chosen meet-up point for beers or food — it was brilliant for me as a solo traveller and made the evenings something to look forward to 🍻💛.

A truly unforgettable trip.

So… where to next? Oh yes — a week in Provence! 🚴‍♀️🌻🥐 Bring it on.