View from the Back
Ramblings of a retiree in France
One from the vaults: Postcard from the Giro d’Italia Part II
Here’s Part II of our trip in May 2016 to watch part of the Giro d’Italia.
At the start of Tuesday’s stage, in a suburb of Florence, we caught up with staff we know at team Bardiani-CSF and evaluated their riders’ chances of a stage win. My parting comment was “I’ll keep my fingers crossed, who knows, today could be the one!” Prophetic or what? One of their promising neo-pros, Giulio Ciccone, won the stage.
Impressed by my cakes, one of the Sky boys challenged me to come up with a bar for their musettes. They gave me one prepared by the wife of one of soigneurs. It was okay but rather dry and tasteless. I promised to work on it the following week and will return to the final few stages with a much improved product, along with some of my brownies.
@sdw14 @Ride_Argyle We smashed those brownies!
— Joe Dombrowski (@JoeDombro) May 15, 2016
After watching the peloton depart, we headed to a town we’d never before visited. Yes, this was our maiden trip to Bologna, a town about which I had little or no expectations but it blew me away. We stayed in a delightful, modern, three-roomed bed and breakfast in the old town, just a short stroll from the main attractions. Before checking in, we had lunch in a restaurant nearby which had been in situ since 1957. If it’s lasted that long it’s got to be good – right? Absolutely! We enjoyed yet another magnificent meal in a family run neighbourhood institution. The owner had passed away in 2007 but his widow still helps out while the three children now run the restaurant.
Much to my delight, the restaurant featured an old childhood favourite, the sweet trolley. I couldn’t indulge but my beloved had the house speciality Zuppa Inglesi. He proclaimed it “nice” but a pale imitation of my and my late mother’s rum soaked trifles. Then it was time to walk off those calories around the magnificent old town whose monuments are built almost exclusively of brick, many dating from the 14th century. Some of them are very tall, underlining how wealthy the city was in former times. The shops are under attractive stone porticoes which have beautiful frescoed ceilings and wrought iron lights, clocks and shop signs. This is one of the most beautiful cities in northern Italy and deserves to feature more prominently on tourists’ itineraries. I shall return particularly now I know how close it is to Mugello, home to last week-end’s Italian MotoGP.
The following day we headed directly to the Giro stage finish in Asolo, the Pearl of Veneto, where one of my dearest friends lives. A fabulous cook, she whipped up a delicious feast for lunch which we enjoyed before watching the peloton stream through Asolo’s beautiful old town in dribs and drabs. Dinner at a local restaurant followed, before we headed to our hotel for the next few days in Pordenone.
From time to time my beloved works with a company based here. We know the town well but haven’t visited for a while so it was good to renew our acquaintance with our favourite restaurants and watering holes. Thursday’s stage hugged the Venetian coastline though Wednesday’s warm sunshine had retreated behind clouds and heavy rain. We went to the stage start but when it’s pouring down with rain, it’s difficult to do much more than wave at the riders one knows. Understandably, no one wants to spend a moment longer than necessary in the inclement conditions.
Friday’s stage started close to Udine in a medieval border town and fared better weather wise, though the boys were looking nervous as the stage heralded a triptych in the mountains before another difficult week ahead of the finish in Turin. I promised to return in the Southern Alps with more baked goods to see them through the penultimate day of climbing.
Saturday we headed to Trieste to meet with potential clients from Slovenia. We’d briefly visited the city when the Giro d’Italia finished there in 2014 but hadn’t time to have a good look around as we needed to get back for Cannondale’s farewell Giro party. It was great to get another opportunity to visit this fascinating town which still bears the influence of its former occupiers, the Austrians, on its buildings and cuisine. Sadly, I couldn’t find a cake shop doing vegan equivalents of any of those delicious Austrian cakes.
It was a great trip. The Giro is a beautiful race and I love the way the Italians embrace it by decking themselves, their children, pets and shops in pink. It’s much more of an individual and not a community effort and, as you might expect, it’s generally done with great style, panache and much reverence for the Giro’s history. I consider myself fortunate to live only 45 minutes from the Italian border.
View from the Back 
Brought back memories of 40 years ago.
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Glad to have evoked happy memories Susie
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I loved your light storytelling style and your love of delicious food shines through. I was amazed how organized you were to have so many days in a short post, but you did it. As a visitor from Canada I could spent more virtual time with you in each place and eaten more sweets. Enjoyed my visit immensely. – David
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David, thanks for dropping by and your kind words.
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i dispiace tanto, per quello che state passando per colpa del covid-19.
Ma so che popolo americano è tenace e combattivo e vincerà anche questa guerra, come la storia ci ha insegnato.
Un abbraccio forte dall’Italia
I’m so sorry for what you’re going through because of covid-19.
But I know that the American people are tenacious and combative and will also win this war, as history has taught us.
A big hug from Italy
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That is most kind of you but I am not American. I’m British, soon to become French. Thanks for the hug which I return. 🤗 🤗 🤗
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La regina Elisabetta e il nuovo storico discorso: «Mai arrendersi, mai disperare»
Queen Elizabeth and the new historical speech: “Never give up, never despair”
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Hoping we can travel again soon – we were just in Italy in Oct 2019 and fell in love with Florence. It’s been rough – but your story and photos brightened my day.
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Thanks for dropping by and letting me know that I brightened your day. I’m sure we’ll all be able to travel again but, this time, maybe more responsibly.
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Hoping so – it’s what I looked forward to most.
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florence is a beautiful city! 🙂
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It is though I rather think the whole of Tuscany is quite magical.
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It’s concluded beautifully. 🙂 Thanks for sharing this adventure.
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My pleasure, thanks for reading.
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You’re most welcome 🙂
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wow it must have been a beautiful experience, thanks for sharing ❤
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I love watching the grand tours
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Sheree, we were in Italy at the same time. I was in Lucca for about 5 weeks in May and June 2016. I was staying in Arezzo for 2 nights when the Giro d’Italia came through. It was so exciting. I have the t shirt and the cap. Lyn
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Oh my goodness! What a coincidence. It’s a small world.
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cathynative77@gmail.com Pastor Cathy Native
On Fri, May 8, 2020 at 6:40 AM View from the Back wrote:
> Sheree posted: “Here’s Part II of our trip in May 2016 to watch part of > the Giro d’Italia. At the start of Tuesday’s stage, in a suburb of > Florence, we caught up with staff we know at team Bardiani-CSF and > evaluated their riders’ chances of a stage win. My parting co” >
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