Alessandria to Acqui Terma

August 25, 2012

Buono Sera, Amico's e Famiglia,

Today was our first day of riding and our bike tour (Girolivero) company met us at our Hotel. The young cute Italian man named Guido met us and showed us our bikes. They are a cross bike, bright orange, heavy but get the jobs done. It turns out that we have company, two Swiss that only speak German & French, (husband and wife) and a retired firefighter from Australia. We feel like we are on the show "The Great Race", will the Americans, The Aussie or the Swiss get to the end first? It is very cute but as it turns out no one is in a race but just enjoying the scenery.

We rode through the countryside between Alessandria and Acqui Terme, this covered terrain ranging from flat open farm land to miles of wine country. Northern Italy is going through a terrible drought right now and the crops such as corn have been devastated, similar to what the US is experiencing in the Midwest.

Leaving the town of Monvaruzzo we rode into the valley where we started our major ascent towards Maranzana & Ricaldone. For the first day we did not expect to have such steep grades but were rewarded with magnificent views once we got to the top of the hills. The grades were easily 10-12% for a majority of the back half of the ride with 90 degree temperatures.

The views, the people, the food and yes the wine has all been magnificent.  There are many villages that cover the Italian countryside mostly set at the top of the hill with a very prominent church at the top and center of the town. 

Ciao,

Tim & Elaine