Cima Veronese…
November 2, 2008 Riding in the hills of Valpollicella to my surprise
I knew today would be great and I was packed the night before and I had my bike and gear ready. I stashed a banana in my pocket and was off by 10 AM headed north into the wine country we know well as “Valpolicella†. I rode across the foot bridge leaving the old city; the one built in 100 BC. I ride up the hill after and was at an intersection wondering which way was right when a serious cyclist rounded the corner from my right to my straight ahead and I said “that must be the wayâ€. I followed… he saw this… I chased although I was still trying to warm up so I didn’t really chase-chase but all you know what I mean, we always chase a little (WINK). He was really cool; he knew the game and wasn’t really wanting to drop me; I would catch up and he would accelerate, I would fall off and he would wait. We would ride together and try to chat or just climb at our pace; it was nice to ride with a local again. He spoke little English and I that same In Italian; but communication was easy as we were both from the same mind. We climbed into the hills; north of Verona, he is a local and rides here every week pretty much on this same route. As we reached the top he was finished and headed down and I was just getting into it. He pointed me a direction, said “Ciao†and off we went our separate ways just as we had met.
Now I was riding along a ridge top between the Valley of Policella to my left and the Val XXXXXX to my right. The road was winding and narrow and just slightly climbing. With each little village it got even more narrow and less traveled, when I took the option that was painted “MTB†with an arrow I knew I was into the good stuff. I climbed on semi paved surface and then descended on mostly perfect pavement some 4 feet wide and with a hundred switchbacks through the hillside vineyards. How do I get so lucky; I know, because when there’s an MTB option I know to take it. Riding mountain bikes here can be lame since it’s often so tame, but it makes for killer “29er†riding.
So I descended into XXXXXXXXXXX and climbed the valley and with my soggy map (today wrapped in hotel shower cap to keep it from disintegrating from the humid sweat of my jersey pocket) I found a very minor road climbing up the mountain to the right and with a few errors found myself climbing into the mountain top town of Cima Veronese. I was starved and on the verge of bonking. I stopped at a caffe and the women told me I needed to go to this restaurant across the street. I did; it was pretty fancy but I saw right away the articles on the wall from Damiano Cunego. There were no free tables; so they set me one in the corner of the bar. White tablecloth and a 7 course feast; with wine and more side dishes than you can count. I dined with a friend of Damiano Cunego (top Italian pro road racer if you don’t know – Giro winner and seeming non-doper and a super hero – he won the stage in his hometown just last year Cima Veronese). So I dined VIP with the owner who is, I think, a former racer of his own (pellegrotti). We talked again the little we could but yet shared a common excitement and passion for a common sport. Turns out Paula Pezzo is also from just up the road a few kilometers. It was again 2pm and time to ride; I said elaborate Grazi’s and paid my 15 euro bill (ridiculous for all I had and by the way the best pesto veronese ever!). Magical descent – saw 3 cars, passed all – 5 hours on the bike – Ciao Verona; I love this area and this town. Grazi Millia