Busy straight roads on the northern Italian plains. Thanks Fabio from the Italian cycling forum for accompanying me for some of today. The kilometres raced by exchanging stories. Then, head down, as I burned the kilometres away. There’s no way to meander here anyway.
Me and Fabio
There’s no avoiding them. Main roads with lots of cars and trucks. Even the side roads which look better on the map have lots of traffic.
First, I was distracted with nice conversation with Fabio, who led the way. Then, I just followed the main road which went straight to Trieste. While cycling my brain was constantly calculating and updating the kilometres and estimated arrival times. The traffic acts as a shield to taking in any scenery. You brain power is taken up listening for cars behind, and watching oncoming cars, constantly reassessing the situation.
Then, 10km before my destination Palmanova, I left the main road. Suddenly, within 50 metres, I woke up from my daze. I saw fields. I saw trees. And I didn’t hear cars. It was like someone had flicked a switch. The living life switch.
Just off the main road
And the clouds were beautiful. And threatening. Dark clouds, and occasionally light.
Light and dark
The clouds
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