The last day of a cycle touring odyssey is usually one of reflection and a bit of melancholy. Pleased for what you have done, seen and achieved under your own steam, bit sad that it is all over.

Today’s route, our final day, would take us back to where we started on the outskirts of Oleggio some 35 days ago.

The route was quite flat and predominantly following the Ticino river.

Within a few km though we hit puddles on the dirt path. As we ventured further, the river had obviously flooded with the recent heavy rains in northern Italy, reminding us of the flooded waterways we navigated through earlier in our trip.

I managed to use the bike like a scooter to not fall over and get everything wet and soon enough we were on a more solid terra firma.

From Bereguardo we predominantly followed the towpath of the Naviglo di Bereguardo to the large town of Abbiategrasso.

The path was enjoyable and peaceful. Multiple bridges and weirs where the canal dropped height levels, as we were ever so slightly climbing.

In the town of Abbiategrasso we headed to the Lidl to purchase a scrubbing brush to aid cleaning our bike wheels later in the day, plus we grabbed lunch provisions.

En route was this church we snuck into before we were politely asked to leave as it was closing.

Back on the towpath we were now following Naviglio Grande.

The Navilgio Grande is 50 km in length, dropping 34 metres over its length. It connects the Ticino river to Milan.

It was first constructed as a ditch in 1157 as a defence against Frederick Barbarossa, German, Italian and Burgundy King as well as being the Holy Emperor. One cannot hold too many titles it seems.

There was a procession of older majestic homes and repurposed buildings.

At this bridge we met a bunch of nice young lads, curious about our bikes. They were jumping from the bridge into the fast flowing water. The canal is not particularly deep either, you could easily see the bottom.

They were keen to be photographed, plus there is a video below.

The lads are on three months school holiday before they start their new academic year. One was keen to hop on my bike to see how it went but I was not entertaining that idea.

The last 1.4 km is a pot holed road, now with lots of puddles post rain.

Just like that it’s all over. A high five, and it’s off to work we go.

Scrubbing, cleaning, packing up our work horses that have done well.

We always feel a bit flat at the end. But we have plans, the next trip is booked ( 2 weeks northern section of South Island New Zealand). The trip after is in conceptual planning.

It’s time for reality, getting back to work, pondering when we will/can retire, collecting our dog, resuming normal life.

We have ridden 2,960 km on this trip. That’s an average of 600 km per week.

We have climbed 27,869 metres (Mt Everest is 8,800 m above sea level for perspective if you climbed that from sea level, whereas you actually start much higher).

This has been done on bikes with all our gear for five weeks, so yes, slower than going out for your Sunday ride. But this is a holiday not a smash fest.

I am super proud of how far I have come in 22 months. My thanks to the three doctors who literally saved my life, Dr Steven, Dr Nikhil and Dr Ash. Eternally grateful for the extra time you have given me. ❣️

There will be a reflection blog in a week or so. Right now, our focus is on that dreaded long haul flight back home.

Thankyou to those who have responded positively to the blogs with messages on the blog site, Facebook or Messenger. I am thankful for your support and encouragement. To hear directly from people who care is a blessing and we do not take that for granted.

Whether I continue the blogs I am debating as it costs me nearly $500 per year to Word Press to publish the blogs.

Until the reflection, thankyou from both of us xx 😊❣️🚴💪

As I write this blog, she kept me company. I later found out she lives inside the owners house, and recently had four piglets. One died, another killed by their dog so two remaining. They will grow up as pets on their little farm, along with their horses, donkeys, goats, ducks, chooks, dogs and cat.

❣️