The shuttle picked us up this morning after breakfast to take us down the valley to start our bike ride. We were really sorry to leave the mountains behind.

We started today’s ride where we ended it yesterday in Carisolo and rode a total of 22 miles today.

Our morning ride was in the Rendena Valley along a well-paved bike trail and along the banks of the Sarca River for about 13 miles. Here, we had a little downhill.

As usual, we had bridges to cross.

Looking at the Sarca River from the bridge.

Going over an even bigger bridge.

We were mostly on a bike path but would sometimes arrive in small towns and need to cross a main road or do a zig-zag to get back on the path. This area was mostly flat riding.

Ross riding along the river.

And sometimes it was more wooded and we did see other bicyclists as well as walkers from time to time.

This was the first cornfield we saw. Overall, as Claudio promised, this was a great ride. I only had to walk a short distance a couple of times when the path went up too sharply.

Right before lunch we rode in the van for about four miles when we reached an uphill section. The van had stopped in Preore for the usual morning snack break and bikes were loaded up for anyone who wanted to skip the upcoming hill. Next was Stenico, our lunch site, where we stopped to look at another waterfall.

This was the view down the valley across from the waterfall. Wondering if that is our final destination for the day.

Lunch was at a local osteria outside on the patio. An osteria is a wine bar that has evolved to serve simple meals. We had lasagna with polenta fries and the lasagna looks nothing like what we have at home. Exploring the osteria a bit, we found we had to go along an outside stairway to reach the bar below and the single shared restroom. It was almost cave-like down there.

After lunch we began our afternoon ride of another eight miles or so. We started out following Claudio downhill and soon we took a short path that was blocked by construction. We had to walk our bikes around a tall fence and other equipment. Then our true descent out of Stenico started. The GPS said to prepare for a steep downhill but we actually went up for a short distance before plunging down. We were now following a path through the Limaro Canyon that meandered along the roaring Sarca River.

Stopping to look down the canyon.

This was a huge opening in the canyon wall. This ride was also interesting because we kept experiencing changes in temperature. Some spots would be cold depending on where we were in the canyon.

Then the path started to wind along the rock face of Monte Casale.

Another section along the canyon wall.

Ross met a couple from Munich who were also on this path today and they insisted on taking his photo.

Looking down into the valley at Sarche, our final destination for today.

The rest of our ride was mostly downhill and the last mile or so was on the main road. Ross said it was the most beautiful ride he has ever had. Riding around the canyon walls had to be one of the most memorable parts of this day. Our reward was a cup of gelato from a nearby shop before boarding the shuttle again.

We had about a 25-minute trip into the resort town of Riva Del Garda complete with palm trees. With a population of nearly 18,000, it’s located at the northernmost tip of Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake.

Our hotel for the next two nights was the Du Lac et Du Parc Grand Resort. It was very modern and functional.

We checked in, cleaned up, and went through the back gate of the hotel property to take a look at the lake.

There were lots of people walking along the lake and we continued on the sidewalk/bike path about 15 minutes to the Ristorante Pizzeria Maffei for dinner. The restaurant was recommended both for its pizza and fresh food. A friendly couple sitting next to our table started talking to us – they were from Cologne, Germany and on vacation. They initially thought we were from the UK and once they found out we were from the U.S., they asked a lot of questions about U.S. politics and made it clear to us their dislike of our former president. They said they come to Riva del Garda every year for a week-long vacation and always eat at this restaurant so that was a good recommendation.

By the time we walked back to the hotel, it was dark but we took a few photos including this one that shows the light of a restaurant and bar way up on the hillside. The second light is the funicular that goes up to it.

Another of a fountain that had been confiscated by ducks.

One more night-time photo of lights across the bay. Back at the hotel, we prepared for our final day of bicycling on this trip.