Today I ticked a ride off my must do list.

In 2018 I spent a night at Pisogne, Lake Iseo during the 2018 Giro d’Italia. As we were transferred to accomodation I really liked what I saw, and further research showed that a lap of the lake is around 64 km cycling.

The weather had improved, and no rain was forecast so off we headed in a clockwise direction.

The first two photos are the view from our well positioned accomodation. I could sit and stare out our window all day.

Riding through Lovere and then Pisogne, there was lots of traffic, so a bit of hopping on and off our bikes with red lights and narrow spots.

Pisogne has an interesting piazza- Piazza Mercato. The town goes back to medieval times, and the water edge used to be right up to the tower, so a fair bit of land fill has occurred.

The tower, constructed in the 13tha and 14th centuries, used to be used by the local bishops to punish those who had not paid their taxes. You would be put into a cage that hung from the outside of the tower.

In 1511, eight women were found guilty of witchcraft were contained within, tortured by the Vicar of the Inquisition and later burned alive in the square.

The waterfront included a shared pathway so we hopped onto that as we headed out of Pisogne.

Views along the lake.

The shared pathway was brilliant along this section. One imagines this may have been part of the original road. Cars are travelling through tunnels higher into the rock. The rock wall is enshrined in mesh to minimise rocks falling.

There are multiple shorter tunnels.

The path does take you back onto the main road in villages.

There is an island in the middle of Lake Iseo, Montesola boasting a population close to 2,000. It is the largest inland island in Italy, as well as South and Central Europe.

Isola di Loreto is the name of the little island you can just make the features out from being zoomed in. It is privately owned and no amount of money will persuade the current owner to sell.

George Clooney tried to buy it in 2010 for the girlfriend of the day and failed.

A borrowed photo from an Italian tourism article (Found in Italy) shows what the island looks like closer up. It does look quite fancy.

On we rode.

The town of Iseo is a reasonable size and was quite busy, particularly as our route seemed to dissect the local market that had started selling a range of fresh food and arts and crafts. Back to walking and pushing the bike.

We moved through Iseo, back on the main road and a small climb to skirt around some wetlands and vineyards before riding again near the lake.

There has been a lack of obvious toilets, so we stopped at this cafe to buy a coffee and use their loo. Nice spot.

We were predominantly on the road but a small selection of bike path on the home run. Generally speaking, this side of the island was quieter traffic wise, with less villages and we found it most enjoyable.

This section of the lake is magnificent. There were people walking, riding bikes, taking photos. Magical.

We came across a group,of cyclists spread all over the road, quietly confident no cars were coming? As I had a better look, I recognised the jerseys were that of Italy Bike Tours whom I travelled with in 2018 for the Giro d’Italia and acted as an ambassador back in late 2019/20 until Covid hit. I can highly recommend them for a Giro experience.

I did stop to chat, but none of the team I knew were present but I do know that they are working in this year’s trip. If you are interested, contact me for more info and I will point you in the right direction.

We headed off as there was more good things to imminently happen.

Back at our unit by 12 noon, this is what happened. This little munchkin turned up. Here she is in her travelling chair, with our wonderful view behind her.

My daughter Hannah, partner Rory (Andrew, Roey) and granddaughter Willow rocked up. Planned as our trips intersected. Amazing really as we both planned these trips independently of each other, not knowing where either group were heading or dates.

When we later compared itineraries it was an ‘ooh’ moment, and this afternoon was our ‘ooh’ time.

They had a car, so we all jumped in and went up to Riva di Solto for coffee.

Then to the town of Lovere, where their accomodation was. We then walked back down to the lake.

We looked to eat earlier, given Willow needed to be in bed around 7 pm. We were given a massive menu at one place that took us ages to decide. We went to order and were told the kitchen was closed and they only did snacks not on that menu. The look on our faces….

Looking around the room, other patrons were going through the same menu. Anyhow, we left. Nothing in the town opened until 7 pm, so we found some fare at the local market and ate it by the lake, followed by gelati!

Finishing off a wonderful day 😊❣️