Cycle Day 10. The Dolomites

 I've jumped ahead a few days! Haven't had enough time to keep up with the reports, but I may go back and and summarise the previous days later.

Days are full - packing up camp in the morning, stopping to buy groceries en route before camp, usually arriving in the next camp 5 or 6 pm ( a couple of days we arrived earlier), setting up again, cooking dinner and then it's dark by 8.30, by which time I'm ready to shower, chill, get all the electronics charged, and hit the hay 😀.

Typical camp scene, Nancy having breakfast

Anyway, yesterday was day 10 and we rode from Dobbacio to Cortina d'Ampezzo, a really scenic route through the Dolomites using a gravel path that used to be a railway track. This was definitielythe most dramatic scenery so far, and we both loved it. The distance wasn't too big at 40 km, but the gravel was often rough, so it was a bit slow going with the loaded bikes.


Lago Dobbacio

Introducing Nancy's new mascot Wolfgang acquired in Innsbruck, and my unnamed mascot who's been on several trips with me!
Seen yesterday at a viewpoint of the iconic Tre Cime (three chimneys) peaks

Another Lake along the way

On the scenic descent towards Cortina

Beautiful section of the descent to Cortina


Our route through the mountains yesterday.
We climbed 400m over the first 15km,
but it was nicely graded being a former railway track

Cortina d'Ampezzo, seen a lot on our TVs during the Winter Olympics in Feb 2026.
Frank had I had been here before in 2015


Today, day 11 is a rest day for me at our picturesque campground just south of Cortina. My legs needed a break, plus I needed to catch up on writing, uploading video footage, laundry, a bit of bike care, etc. You couldn't find a prettier place to chill and enjoy super sunny weather - we're so lucky with that.

My tent (well actually my friend Tannis's tent) here at Cortina where I rested today

Meanwhile Nancy took a cable car and did a hike

Ended my day with a delicious pizza in the campground pizzeria 😄


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