The weather forecast was not great but we have learned to just wait and see how it pans out in the morning. Meteorologists have been known to get it wrong before.

It was raining but easing up. When we left we had wet weather gear on and I would call it mizzle. Nuisance rain, enough to get your bike dirty too.

Leaving Ascona we skirted through Locarno.I think we picked the nicer lakeside town to stay in. Low level cloud hovered just above the lake creating an eeriness.

Switzerland do bike paths and signage well.

Back on the main lakeside road, we had a small verge. We stopped here for Tony to take some photos of the lake, oh and me!

The lake was majestic. I do think rain and overcast weather adds a different dimension. Trying to be positive here, but the lake is beautiful.

Lake Lugano lays between Lakes Maggiore and Como with an area of around 49 sq km. Part of the lake belongs to Switzerland, the other part to Italy.

It took us about 10-12 km of riding to leave Lake Maggiore and arrive at Lake Lugano.

The lake seems a lot quieter and less touristy. here are a series of photos taken as we traversed the lake. The lakes weaves around as you can see from our route map

We ride through the city of Lugano without stopping, except at red lights, it was busy traffic wise. We immediately went into a 2.1 km climb out of the city. Here I am below climbing, with part of the city in the background. It was a nasty little climb.

The advantage of climbing is a differing perspective on the lake below. I think these are really nice pictures Tony took.

With only 1.5 km remaining Tony entered a 1.1 km tunnel, that was enough to make me look at our map better and I could see there was a route for bikes around the side but he missed that.

I had two choices and decided I would follow him. That was a shite and very long 1.1 km.

Here is the tunnel exit, it was one of those WTF moments and a bad error of judgement on our behalf. The adrenaline was surging. Not sure what speed I did as the bike computers do not work in tunnels as they cannot access satellite. But I pushed it!

Thanking out lucky stars we got out of the tunnel unscathed, our hotel was only a few hundred metres away.

We wandered around the town to find dinner.

High above town another cliff church, with a winding path up. This is the Church for the Fit!

We have seen many old olive trees in towns, and this one is a good example with its thick and ancient stump.

Our last view for the night before we headed to bed. Tomorrow we leave this beautiful lake and head to another.

Tony’s healing but his thigh hurts the most. You can see why.

Thanks for reading. See you tomorrow 😊❣️