It was an easy 5km for our first day on the bikes to the train station in Rome, and then from the station in Pompeii to our campsite near the ancient ruins. 5km sounds easy, but the crazy traffic and cobblestone streets were an exciting introduction to Italian cycling.
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| Changing trains at Napoli Stazione Centrale |
We found ourselves camped next to a friendly Danish family who were experienced cycle tourists and had a few good tips for us. They were driving this trip as they had small children and offered to give us a hand if we got stuck anywhere, cheers guys!
We got up early the next day to beat the crowds at the Pompeii ruins.
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| The Pompeii Forum with Mt Vesuvius behind and some modern art installations in the front |
The queues were mercifully short and we picked up an audioguide to ruins. It is an amazing spot. The ash and pumice that covered the city - at times to a depth of 6m - has preserved the buildings and streets so well it is much easier to imagine what life was like there almost 2000 years ago then at, say, the Roman Forum.
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| Naughty pictures at a Pompeii brothel |
We went up Mt Vesuvius in the afternoon and were treated to great views of Naples and also out to Sorrento; our destination for the next day
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| View south from Vesuvius with Pompeii in the centre and the Sorrento Peninsula out to the right |
We set off the next day en route to Sorrento for our first proper day of cycling. We only got 5km down the road before I got a puncture! I have two different valves on the front and back wheels of my bike (due to it being a bit of a Frankenstein) but only one tube. And the flat was on the tube that I don't have a spare for. So I got my kit out to fix the puncture and found the glue was all dried up! Hmmm. So I left Sarah on the side of the road with my bike, fending off offers of help from all the men walking past in the, slightly grotty, industrial area; and went to try find a bike shop. A friendly guy offered to help me and took me to a car tire place where they put a patch on my tube. I managed to acquire some new glue as well from a fishing shop that I thought was a bike shop. The lad in there took pity on me and gave me his own tube of glue!
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| D'oh |
Aftera bit of research I found I had got the puncture as my new rear wheel had no rim tape on it. I hadn't really realised that 'rim tape' was a thing - always learning I guess.
The remaining 30km to Sorrento was on beautiful coastal roads. They were busy at times but the drivers were always courteous.
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| Puncture repaired and on our way with Mt Vesuvius hulking in the background |
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| Marina Grande in Sorrento. Our campsite was in the trees top left. |
Sorrento was a charming town - but just a taste of what was to come on the Amalfi Coast just over the hill. Oh, and I found a shop that hooked me up with rim tape and a new tube!
- David
Super nice to follow u on the biketrip. We so much envy you guys! next year we hope to bring the kids for a biketrip. Where are u for the time being? It has been a while since your last post. Well best of joy to you and we look forward to follow u the next months.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment! We are in Florence at the moment for a few nights, then on Saturday we're planning to go to Pisa and then start heading up the coast. Whereabouts are you guys?
DeleteThanks for the comment! We are in Florence at the moment for a few nights, then on Saturday we're planning to go to Pisa and then start heading up the coast. Whereabouts are you guys?
ReplyDelete