Sorting through old photos on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Thanks for teaching me how to ride a bike, Dad!
Spring is here! Backroads Hiring Event in Paris, cycling with my fiance Matteo, Exploring Piemonte with Fede, and spinning along in a series of granfondos!
I know the Bay Area isn’t really a secret, but wow, how did I not figure this out sooner? Sunny skies, amazing cycling so close, incredible people, food second only to Italy… I’ve been feeling full of thanks all weekend… riding in the East Bay, Napa, and Marin; enjoying a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner at Jeff & Mel’s; and setting foot on a floating home. Che bel posto!
Sunday ride in Napa - no rain(!), leaves changing colors, great crew, pastry stop… aaaah, how lovely!
Oh, the wild joys of living!
—Browning
Things to do in October:
1. Look creepy in San Giovanni
2. Enjoy the views in Chianti
3. Hike w/19 new friends!
4. Play with fake teeth
5. Eat pizza!
Granfondo Selle Italia, Carpi. 13 October, 2012. Fast, fun (small) race! I drove up solo, enjoyed the flat start and the hills mid-race. I ended up riding with Ezio from the area (he was sporting a nice ‘Free Tibet’ kit) and he and about 15 others let me ride in the back of their pack all the way to the finish. I’m already looking forward to riding with the Gaudenzi girls in 2013!
Granfondo del Prosecco - Valdobbiadene, Italy. 120km, 3hr 55min. Fast start, tired legs at 80km, but met up with someone I’d ridden with before at the 100km mark. Finished, then filled up with risotto, pasta, cheese, and roast beef before driving back down to Tuscany!
We made it! We had a leisurely ride from our beach camp in Sile to Istanbul. We cycled along the Bosphorus, toasted the trip with champagne, took a sunset boat cruise and had a last dinner with our group. A great conclusion to an incredible adventure.
More to follow in the next week once I’m back in Italy and settled. Sorry for the lack of posts in Turkey, but I was ill quite a bit the last few weeks (no more kebabs for me…).
Thanks again to all who helped me on this journey. I hope to see you all soon!
Love,
Candice
Eight days left!
A few photos from Georgia.
Ride update
Day 114: 86 km
Day 115: 124 km
Day 116: 116 km
Day 117: 137 km
Day 118: 120 km
Day 119: 142 km
Day 120: 122 km
Missed Garmin kms: 62
Total so far: 10,137 km
Ani, Turkey.
Ani one else out there?
I spent the afternoon at the ruins of Ani, a former capital of Armenia that once rivaled Constantinople. The setting is stunning – half ruined buildings scattered near a deep river gorge and surrounded by gently rolling golden hills. When I walked through the old wall I was surprised to see I was alone, save two Turkish families.
The city was controlled by many others besides the Armenians, including the Byzantines, Seljuks (from Persia), the Kingdom of Georgia, Kurds, and Mongols. In 1319, Ani began its decline when an earthquake crumbled much of the city. Because the city was run off-and-on by Christians and Muslims, the buildings were often converted to suit the current rulers. You might recognize the Church of the Redeemer – it’s the half-ruined church often used in Turkey’s marketing materials. Impressive as the church was, I spent most of my time at another one, the Church of St. Gregory, perched on the side of the river gorge. The church has been vandalized and weather has taken its toll, but the frescos are outstanding and dramatic in such a stark setting.
After a bit more wandering and imagining life in this important city of the Silk Route, I hopped back in the taxi and made my way back to Kars. Kebap anyone?
Ride update
Day 94 - 119 km
Day 95 - 127 km
Day 96 - 109 km
Day 97 - 117 km
Day 99 - 1 km
Day 100 - 108 km
Day 101 - 54 km
Day 102 - 78 km
Day 103 - 44 km
Day 104 - 56 km
Day 105 - 50 km
Day 106 - 147 km
Day 107 - 98 km
Day 109 - 19 km
Day 110 - 156 km
Day 111 - 57 km
Day 112 - 59 km
Total so far: 9228 km
