Introduction

This is my second journal, but I am well past my second tour! I enjoyed writing my first, which can be found here, and recognized how valuable it was to me in reliving some of my experiences . . . and not having to rely strictly on memory.

This trip came about because a friend of mine (Mark Nguyen) reminded me of my interest in touring from Paris to Naples (via the Alps) for my 60th birthday. That birthday occurred on my East Coast Tour completed earlier this year. I didn't think it practical to do another epic trip in one year, especially given we would be tackling the Alps in August/September, and my return from the East Coast Trip did not happen until July. Further, I had a commitment to go to France on a non-bicycle trip in October (yes, I do regular vacations as well), and it was just getting to be near impossible to squeeze the planning, much less the travel, into that little bit of time. Hence, the Great Compromise: Abruzzi (also spelled Abruzzo) and the Amalfi Coast!

I have done three previous tours in Italy:

Ancona to Pisa in the early 1990s. This was a solo trip after Doug Wolfer passed away and only the second tour of my "career." Prior to this, Doug and I had biked in France from Paris to Lyon and back. Quite adventurous for a first tour. Unfortunately, that experience would not be repeated
The Lake District in the late 1990s or early 2000s (I should settle on my dates!). I did this one with Bill Hillegeist, another long-time cycling friend. I lost my wallet on the first day! He carried me the rest of the way through.
Northern Abruzzo from Rome to L'Aquila and points further north. Again with Bill Hillegeist. We spent two weeks cycling to a villa that about 10 of us had rented for a week, arriving when the rest did. It was a great adventure, although Bill had hardly prepared for the hills!

Italy is a great touring country, and the drivers are respectful of cyclists. Plus, there are endless amounts of great food!

So I continue my "semi-retired" status and continue to follow one of my passions in life: touring by bike!

Fixing a flat tire in Connecticut with two lovely ladies. See my East Coast Tour for all the details!

Joining me will be Mark Nguyen, also an avid cyclist but a novice bike tourer. However, he is dedicated, smart, tech-savvy, and he loves to climb hills and mountains . . . something we will both need on this trip and something we both love!

Mark, relaxing while on the Resplendent Rappahannock Ride, which we rode earlier this year.

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