Our Lunch Break Spot Between Mondragone and Caserta
From Gaeta it was on to Mondragone and Casterta, we follow the shore on an almost flat ride. So different then the past few rides. The sun is shining, the water calm and trees blooming. The prefect time to stop for a café next to the beach. Then it's time to head inland bit. Quite a contrast with the farm fields and water buffalo. We're in prime mozzarella country! We decide to stay off the main roads because of the high volume of traffic, but the back roads while easy to maneuver, are often full of garbage in this region. We just can't understand the mentality of just throwing everything and I mean everything on the side of the road. Bad for the environment, bad for the soul. Even so the countryside is beautiful, you just have to sometimes turn a blind eye.
It's Spring
Café Break along the Beach
A Place to Love
Not so Niice Perhaps it's own Video in the Future
A visit to the Palace in Caserta turned into a walking marathon. On our days off from riding we walk, walk, walk. What a magnificent place, but why in the world do you need 1200 rooms and miles of gardens? A mile and a half from one end to the other. Our bodies ache just thinking about the house cleaning and yard maintenance. I thought my yard was hard!
The Caserta Royal Palace 1 1/2 Miles to the Top of the Gardens
The Royal Palace of Caserta, Ponds and Waterfalls
Off to Naples on Easter Monday. Now you have to understand that Easter Sunday is spent with families and Easter Monday is spent with friends where many businesses are closed like we've experienced in small towns in the past OR everything is open, party central like in Naples! Our thoughts of less traffic and concerns about finding a place to have dinner or to even buy groceries were for naught! Talk about people! Yikes! Bumper to bumper! The ride started out relaxing but the closer got to Naples the crazier it got. Jim decided to maneuver his bike one handed while filming with the other, so consequently the video only shows the tamer parts of the city traffic and ride, as it got too busy for one handed riding. Then time to wind down!
Caserta to Napoli in 10 Minutes
Not for the Faint of Heart
The Time of My Life
Easter Monday Napoli
Pompeii Excursion from Napoli
Pompeii, An Incredibly Advanced Society Starting from 7th Century BC to it's destruction in 79 AD
From Napoli we head to Apuglia via train arriving in Foggia, then cycling about 15 miles to Lucera. When at the train station to buy the tickets ahead of time I, Jim, handed the ticket booth woman a piece of paper with the trains and times. Her response was "no bicci". I insisted they were and pointed to the paper and the computer. She looked them up, then smiled and laughed as she sold us the tickets. A sigh of relief, but we haven't boarded the train yet.
Whoa kids what a virtual ride through the city. I am pretty sure that would not be Carol's happy place. You two are real road warriors. To be sure the reward at the end, a corner cafe, is well worth the effort.
A gathering this weekend here at our place. Usual suspects. Of course, not quite the same with out the two of you but certainly your excuse....makes us all green with envy. Be safe and know we are thinking of you. Ti Amo J & C
The Amore video was from a previous trip. Did you see the ride into Naples? Wish you were riding with us. We'll raise more then one glass to you! Love you too!
This is from and old, dear friend who hasn't been able to post for some reason. Here it is. Thanks Paul V!
You got me laughing. We must have been crazy kids on our bikes, playing in the Mexico City traffic, hanging onto the back of the street cars and trying to keep our tires out of the rail ruts...dodging all that mad traffic, in and out, the sweep and swirl of childhood's sense of impetuous immortality.
Question. When a friend of mine pressed me into trying a helmet mirror...I was so grateful because I'd never considered it and wow, what a difference it made. Saved my bacon on a number of occasions...so easy to use and not distracting...but it's like a third eye in the back of your head.
Loved the commentary. Yep, they were way out in front, thanks to the Greeks, all those centuries ago...what happened. Like a Swiss friend of mine likes to say...."Italians, they're all children."
Wow how much fun! That castle is amazing, did a little research and definitely now on my bucket list. Riding my bicycle through downtown Naples, however, does not make it to my bucket list. You all have nerves of steel. What a reward, though. Have to know, did the not-so-young lady go for a "Time of Her Life" flight?
Finding the castles out in the middle of nowhere is always a treat. Just to be able to wonder around them and wonder what the walls have seen over the centuries.
Whoa kids what a virtual ride through the city. I am pretty sure that would not be Carol's
ReplyDeletehappy place. You two are real road warriors. To be sure the reward at the end, a corner
cafe, is well worth the effort.
A gathering this weekend here at our place. Usual suspects. Of course, not quite the same with
out the two of you but certainly your excuse....makes us all green with envy.
Be safe and know we are thinking of you. Ti Amo J & C
Being a Chicago Cabby back in the day definitely helped. You can't be timid that's for sure. Say hello to the party for us.
DeleteThe “Amore” video is superb! Perfecto!! Abb and I are so envious. So glad you are having good times. Raise a glass or two for us. Love you guys.
ReplyDeleteThe Amore video was from a previous trip. Did you see the ride into Naples? Wish you were riding with us. We'll raise more then one glass to you! Love you too!
DeleteRode streets of San Francisco which at times crazy…your ride definitely more - not sure how to describe…exhilarating???
ReplyDeleteYes indeed, exhilarating and nuts! SF I'm sure is crazy as well, hilly too!
DeleteThis is from and old, dear friend who hasn't been able to post for some reason. Here it is. Thanks Paul V!
ReplyDeleteYou got me laughing. We must have been crazy kids on our bikes, playing in the Mexico City traffic, hanging onto the back of the street cars and trying to keep our tires out of the rail ruts...dodging all that mad traffic, in and out, the sweep and swirl of childhood's sense of impetuous immortality.
Question. When a friend of mine pressed me into trying a helmet mirror...I was so grateful because I'd never considered it and wow, what a difference it made. Saved my bacon on a number of occasions...so easy to use and not distracting...but it's like a third eye in the back of your head.
Loved the commentary. Yep, they were way out in front, thanks to the Greeks, all those centuries ago...what happened. Like a Swiss friend of mine likes to say...."Italians, they're all children."
Wow how much fun! That castle is amazing, did a little research and definitely now on my bucket list. Riding my bicycle through downtown Naples, however, does not make it to my bucket list. You all have nerves of steel. What a reward, though. Have to know, did the not-so-young lady go for a "Time of Her Life" flight?
ReplyDeleteRiding downtown Naples is definitely OFF my bucket list! Not sure if was ever on it! And the not so young lady did not have The Time of Her Life.
DeleteFinding the castles out in the middle of nowhere is always a treat. Just to be able to wonder around them and wonder what the walls have seen over the centuries.
Delete