There are two types of cyclists: those who always are in conversation with someone else while cycling and those who do not say much. I have a number of friends/fellow cyclists who fall in the first category. I definately fall in the second category. I just like to get on with the job of cycling. One of my friends commented on somebody, who falls in the first category, that he sometimes wish there was an "off" button he can switch off to get them quiet. Could come in usefull if it was available, but we must live with what is available. Danie and I actually get on quite well. He comments on various thing and I just cycle along. No need to reach for the "off" button!
The hotel's breakfast was quite good and there were ample eats to take along for the road. Getting the bikes in and out of the room was a bit of a mission as the lift was bery small. We had to put it upright on the backwheel and only one person and one bike could get into the lift at a time, but we managed. This resulted that Danie could only "pack" his bike once we were outside in the street. This is quite a process!
Today was going to be relatively short, so were not in much of a hurry and got going at 08:22. Ride with GPS got us out of town quite nicely. After about 8 km we were on SP22. Unfortunately this is the road out of Cuneo to Barcellonette and it does carry a lot of traffic, which includes big trucks. There were areas with cycke paths, but most of the time we had big trucks "wooshing" past us. Most of them are very curteous, but some did pass us a little close for comfort. This did carry for 14 km. During this time we did stop for a coffee in one of the small towns. After 22 km Ride with GPS took us onto the old pass.
This is a tar road, but vehicles no longer us it. It is very narrow and currently only used by hikers and mountain bikers. This suited us down to a T and we coukd now cycle up the bvlley without worrying about cars and trucks. It really is quite a beautiful road running up the valley next to the Stura di Demonte river, which feeds into the Tanaro. It wounds up the the valley and most of the time we are cycling under the cover of trees. We can, ocationally see the SP22 running up the righthand side of the valley. We stop in the shade for a refreshment break.
After nearly 5 hours of cycling, we wound down to a small town to join up with the SP22. Three kilometers up the road we turn right to go up to our accommodation. The road is very steep and made of cobbles. We wound up the hill and get to the point where we are due to stay, but cannot find the name. I start walking, following the location as per Google Maps and do find it. We actually cycled past it, but missed the sign. They are still busy cleaning the place, but allow us to dump our luggage and show us the garage where we can leave our bicyles. They also direct us to a restaurant, 100 meters diwn the road where we go for lunch while they complete getting our accommodation ready.
That was a nice and easy day. Tomorrow we have 14 km to the norder, but that will include about 900 meters of climbing. Then we will be in France!
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