May 29: The Giro Continues...

Attack of the peloton

Rounding a bend en route to Passo San Pellegrino Pass 

The TV helicopter always stays ahead of the action

Current Giro leader Nairo Quintana (second from right) is well-protected by his Movistar teammates. At the end of the day, Quintana would retain the Maglia Rosa with only three stages remaining.

May 28: On A Clear Day...

Room with a view: Awoke to clear skies on our last morning in Bormio

We took advantage of the clear weather to ride up "Little Stelvio" outside of Bormio.
It's only half the elevation gain, but has almost as many switchbacks.

No shortage of photo opportunities on the route

Taking in the panoramic view from Torri di Fraele, elevation 1941 meters.

Finally made it up the real Stelvio Pass--in the Volvo this time

May 27: Riders in the Rain

On a miserably wet afternoon, Sky rider Dario Cataldo led mid-way up the infamous Passo dello Stelvio, with many more cold and wet miles remained.

Another Sky rider is just a blur here -- a testament to cold fingers on my cold camera

We waited for the riders in the shelter of a tunnel mid-way up the road to Stelvio

Mist and waterfalls along the route

Not sure who had the worst of the weather: the riders or the spectators

May 26: Passo Stelvio

One day before the Giro d'Italia is scheduled to ride up three high Alpine mountain passes, we set off to attempt but one: the legendary Passo Stelvio. At 2758 meters, it is the second highest paved road in all of Europe.

One of the 40+ hairpin turns leading up to Stelvio Pass from Bormio

I made it just over halfway before foul weather forced me to turn around
just past the 2000 meter marker. 

Road hazards

Peaking at Stelvio Peak through one of the many gallerias (tunnels) that protect the road from rock slides and avalanches.

Bravo, John, for making it all the way to the pass!!
Here's a photo looking back at some of the more than 40 hairpin turns.

Looking down the east side of Stelvio:  Road crews were still busy clearing snow for tomorrow's race.

Stelvio Pass: It's lonely at the top.

May 25: A Day at the Races

Stage 15 of the 2014 Giro d'Italia, from Valdengo to Montecampione (225 km)

The plaza at Valdengo was overflowing with cyclists and fans in advance of the day's race.

Current Giro d'Italia leader Rigoberto Uran Uran (in the Maglia Rosa, of course) is all smiles before the race. 

Franco Pellizotti, 15th overall after the 15th stage

BMC Rider Cadel Evans, winner of the 2011 Tour de France,
is currently in second place in the Giro overall standings

Diego Ulissi, of the Lampre team, has won 2 stages in the Giro this year

Kindred spirits: John with Norwegian rider Edvald Boasson Hagen

May 24: Rivarolo Canavese: Il Giro Runs Through It

After yesterday's "rain-out," the weather threatened today but skies and roads were mostly clear. We bicycled from Ivrea to Rivarolo Canavese to catch the end of Stage 13.

Marco Canolo leads the breakaway group on route to winning the 13th stage of the Giro d'Italia,
157 km from Fossano to Rivarolo Canavese.

With smartphones and cameras held high, the crowd captures the oncoming peloton racing
through the streets of Rivarolo Canavese, in Piemonte, Italy. 

May 23: Rainy Days in Ivrea

We set out in the morning for a ride through the moraine hills surrounding Ivrea, but heavy rains cut short our trip in the afternoon. I didn't stop to photograph the deluge -- was too busy trying to navigate the rain-soaked cobblestone streets. But eventually we returned to town, soaked but safe.

Ragazzi in the piazza

Huddling under an umbrella

May 22: Giro Heroes

A class of pre-schoolers gets ready to celebrate the arrival of the Giro in Varese Ligure.

The peloton descends from Passo Cento Croce in Stage 11 of the Giro.

Where are the rest of the riders? Apparently there was a crash just a few kilometers above us,
with a number of riders landing in a ditch. 

Look closely at the lead rider's face and you will see he is unhappy and caked with mud.
Fortunately, most riders were able to get back on their bikes and finish the race.

May 21:John's Backroads Bicycle Tours

As we prepare to leave Lucca, here's a look back at some typical scenes from the past month:

Brief rest stops are allowed, especially after a long climb. 
(Maltraia, in the wine country above Lucca)

All roads may lead to Rome, but they're not all created equal: 
Here's a "fixer-upper" road just outside Sienna.

Another medieval city: skip the cathedral--where's the gelato? 
(at San Quirico d'Orcia, south of Sienna)

Yes, sometimes it's OK to get off the bikes and walk :-)
(San Girolamo, Frontino)

May 20: Fifty Shades of Green

Spring rains have left the Tuscan countryside lush with new growth:

Late afternoon in Frontino, Italy, in the foothills of the central Apennines

The valley below San Sisto, on the border between Tuscany and Marche

The Giro d'Italia peloton snakes up a hill towards Monte Carpegna

Wild roses add a touch of color to the fields of green

An occasional wild poppy adds another splash of color

May 19: Weekend Update from the Giro d'Italia

Our first day to see the Giro in person, we traveled across Tuscany towards the border with Romagna and Marche, and settled in a little town, San Sisto, to enjoy the race with the locals.

The town was all decorated in pink in honor of the Maglia Rosa

Townspeople young and old cheered as the peloton raced past

Viva Il Giro!

John's new buddy Gianfranco invited us back to San Sisto for the annual Fungi Festival in the fall

All serious, watching the finish of the race on TV in a local pub

Back at the hotel, we ran into one of the owners of Wilier Triestina
(My other bike is a Wilier)