May 3rd: Bergamo - Lake Como, Italy ~ Chasing the sun, the R300k target, the 2500km mark and Milan!

WE HAVE REACHED R300 000.00 IN OUR FUNDRAISING EFFORT!!!!

Thank YOU! Thank YOU!

We are all completely blown away by the incredible support and wonderful encouragement that this trip has brought- Logwood residents will benefit directly from every cent raised and the difference you have all made with your donations is just so heartwarming and fabulous.

Our boys will cross the 2500KM mark today which is quite a milestone as they have been through a rollercoaster of experiences in the last five weeks- everything from hypothermia to bronchitis to torrential rain, broken derallieur, faulty technology and even a brush with the sticky denture glue! It’s been an interesting, gritty adventure!

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As transcribed by Grant...(edited by Liz)

“Waking this morning at about 5:30am, Saturday the 3rd of May, and looking out of our little window, the sky was dark with swollen rain clouds, and we could see rain in the distance. The forecast said rainstorms and a sudden change in the weather conditions.

No! Yesterday was perfect - so how could today be any less?

It couldn't possibly be worse than what we've already endured (Slovenia as one example), so despite the fact that rain rhymes with train (thank you Elizabeth for that), we were not perturbed. We were riding today. No rock, paper,  scissors to decide this one, Pauline. Even Garmin said we needed a recovery day - but today was not Garmin's day either. Garmin needs to step up!

Julian was having a slow morning, and needed a few moments to pull himself towards himself, so we headed to brekky just after 7am, retrieved our bikes from a lock-up garage and headed out of Bergamo about 9am.

Mornings can be difficult. Our bodies need good sleep. We had chosen a place to stay in the flight path and alongside a major arterial road. Rookie mistake - I daresay not the first time we made this mistake... only because my darling wife did not choose this accommodation – she always checks for such shortfalls!

Our food intake the previous day also makes a massive difference to the next day. It’s not about eating or not – it is about calories. Choices. It’s about salt and other essential elements, and it is about hydration - especially as it is a bit warmer.

Food isn't about the taste; the value for our bodies and what chemicals it contains is paramount, this has been a great lesson for Julian paying special attention to reading the ingredient lists on packets and bottles. What's the value? What's it going to do to your kidneys? Are there lots of numbers on the packaging - if yes, don't touch it!

The first 10km of our 68km were on bike tracks. Gravel and some sealed paths, and they then progressively became more rustic. Stones and coarse gravel interspersed with rock with narrow spaces and tall grasses touching our faces in places. The rocky sections with drop-offs were no good with our heavy panniers and we were forced to dismount for the sake of safety. Safety first in the 860m of vertical climbing. 

The scenery today was breathtaking - and for me personally, so were a few of the climbs ( as in they required heavy breathing and not only because they were scenic). Crossing high above rivers and through serene landscapes, dotted with beautiful churches, plowed fields, donkeys, horses and interesting buildings. Julian as usual was out in front, climbing fast and hard. Me - not so much. I get to the top of the climbs in my own time.

Three significant climbs was all our day was about. Nothing like Croatia. Slow burning stuff. The last was into Como itself, where the climb seemed to go up and up forever - and then suddenly that was it. Someone blew the whistle and we were on a steep gravel descent into Como. Fast and with loose gravel and stone. Not ideal for heavy bikes - but fun.

And just like that, we hit the tar.  Lake Como was before us. The pitch changed. The temperature dropped and we arrived to the noise of a bustling picturesque lake side city.

Tomorrow is our day of discovery. Maybe catching a ferry or two. Maybe eating more ice cream. Maybe drinking some Prosecco and Aperol. 

... and after that, our final ride into Milan!

"Where did the time go? We were just getting into our groove, Dad", said Julian. 

2476 km done! Thank you everyone for your comments and support. It has helped us getting to this point. “

If you've enjoyed following the Crazybikeguys, traveling vicariously through each of their pedal strokes, please consider giving a small donation to Logwood Village, with the link to be found on www.crazybikeguy.com. Julian and Grant would so appreciate your support for this amazing NPO. You will help to change lives.

The day off was reconsidered as the forecast changed with predicted storms and torrential rainfall for the next week, so the boys decided to set off for Monza and Milan today instead of resting.

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As this journey nears its end, we would really appreciate your continued support.

How you can help!

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