Day 5: Natterer See 🇦🇹 (near Innsbruck) to Vipiteno Sterzing 🇮🇹 65kms 🚴‍♀️

I woke in my stunning campground location in the mountains to birds tweeting 😊. I was packed up and at the on-site grocery store when they opened and brought some fresh bread rolls and cheese for my lunch.

Off I set with a goal to summit the Brenner Pass and then enter Italy.

A pretty tough first 25kms of steep ascents 8-12% which is tough going on my heavy bike.  Many cyclists are completing this popular route and I was passed by so many red faced, determined riders.  A real code of respect amongst us all with little words of encouragement at times. 


It took me till lunch time to get through the first 25-30kms and as I sat and ate I shed a little tear.  Could I do this? Had I bitten off more than I could chew? Do I cycle to a train station and catch the train up instead?  A quick call home and Tim listened and reassured, and I was good to go again…


The views were incredible even with threatening storm clouds.  Roaring headwinds for the day and the last 6-7kms to the top the rain started.  The route was mainly on small back roads, a little dedicated trail too, but the last steep part was on a very busy road with no shoulder in the rain. I stopped for a breather where a young couple were also stopped and she was crying and saying she couldn't continue.


The last 6-7 KMS had views to the major motorway which sits high above the valley in an incredible Engineering masterpiece.  Interestingly from my view, I could see all the new stabilising work they are doing!  The young German guy said the Austrian main roads department has trust issues 😂😂


Well, somehow I made it to the top of the climb to Brenner,

a busy, tacky border town with factory outlet shops.  I ate a hot dog while the rain kicked up a notch. 
I still had a long way to go and so headed out into the weather for a 15km downhill on a dedicated bitumen cycle road with views down the valley!  Freezing cold and shivering and my fingers were almost locked into position on the brakes by the time I got to the bottom! 

I cycled on to the next town and with only a little battery left on my phone, went to a cafe to have them charge it while I warmed up with a hot choc (on the outside seats - I was too wet to be allowed inside 😂). 

While sitting there, the rain became more driving and I knew I didn't have another 25kms left in me to get to the campground.  

I booked into a hotel in the town I was in and cycled there through the mediaeval village cobbled town. I arrived at my hotel and who should be there but my Ukrainian friends!  Big hugs!  We shared war stories and congratulations 😂

So, warm and dry and my room has wet items draped all around.  The predicted thunderstorms started with thunder, lightning and hail - good call to pull up stumps.


Now to look at my planned route to see how I make up the lost KMS…

A day of achievement for me in a stunning location and country no. 3!


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