Day 2: Como-Bergamo (63,7 km, 671 m uphill)

Yesterday, I left Como around 11 o’clock, took a small detour to the lake and then started my way towards Bergamo. The first part was a steep climb I knew from last year, but thanks to the croissant and coffee from breakfast, it was not too much of a challenge. When I arrived at the top, I took a short break at a bus stop to drink water. I also took of my helmet, and when I did that, I saw something small and white fall down and disappeared under the rear wall of the bus stop. Behind it was a pretty steep hill. I first wondered what it could have been, but didn’t come up with an answer. So, I told myself, probably it wasn’t anything important, and a few minutes later I continued my ride. After one minute though, the light of truth suddenly struck me: It was my AirPod that I have in my ear for navigation. That was quite essential and expensive. So, I turned around. Now, the Airpod seemed to be on this steep hill behind the bus stop. And around the bus stop, separating the hill from the road, was a thick, thorny hedge. But I needed my AirPod back. So I put on some jeans, climbed over/through the hedge and found it indeed where I expected it. I came back a bit scratchy and itchy, but it was worth it.

From there, I continued Lago Pusiano and Lago di Annone. At one point, I was directed towards a motorway, but according to the sign, there was a parallel road that cyclists could take. Unfortunately though, this road was a construction site and blocked with a fence. There were already four other cyclists, an Italian and a German or Swiss couple, standing in front of it with question marks above their heads. Finally, the Italian guy said: Well, there is a small hole in the fence, so we can try. And we all agreed that it would be better than the motorway in any case. So, we lifted our bikes and me also the luggage through this small whole and climbed through. The road was partly a rideable gravel road, and partly, we had to wheel or carry the bike. Parts of this road were also flooded, so even though this part was not long, it took us quite a while. But eventually, we reached the end of this road construction and could continue.

Now, my trip was supposed to be a bit more than 60 kilometres. After 45 kilometres already, I started to get cramps in my thighs. I had to take a lot of stretching breaks and take it very slowly, but I finally reached Bergamo. I even found a Decathlon store here which was open on Sundays. Now I have a new phone mount for my bike – the previous one was damaged when I reassembled my bike at the airport.

In Bergamo, I will stay for two nights. Today is a working day. Tomorrow, I will continue towards Lago d’Iseo.