Day 265 – ITALY: Peschiera to Torre de Oglio


Today’s distance / 今日の走行距離: 76.40km
Average speed / 平均速度: 16.2km/h
Time on bike / 走行時間: 4h 42m
Total distance to date / 今日までの積算距離: 1460.7km (plus 9700km)

It was kinda tough to leave Steve and Jutta’s. What a wonderful couple.

I headed back to the Mincio River where Rhiner and I had cycled the day before. Rhiner reccommended that I head down the Mincio river along the cycle paths, down to the Po River. The Po River is the most significant river in northern Italy.

It was amazing weather again today. A mild tailwind helped me along the cycle path, and I got stares from other cyclists, many of them overweight men with bellies hanging, their lycra cycling tights straining to hold it all in.

I arrived in the historic town of Mantova just after lunch. It was a weekend day, and there were many stalls set up in the central square. A large marque caught my eye. It was for Grana Padano parmesan cheese. Next door was a competitor tent showing their cheese also.

Big chunk of parmisan cheese, Mantova, Italy

That’s a big block of cheese. 35kg to be exact.

I asked if I could buy 200g. That request was met with strained faces. It’s a little too little, I’m sorry, their faces said.

I wandered out of the tent a little disponded, and started towards the competitor’s tent. i heard hurried steps behind me and one of the Grana Padano staff members tapped me on the shoulder. She indicated that I should come back.

They handed me a handful of small off-cuts. Enough for a cook up of pasta, so I was happy.

I was about to leave on my bike when another Grana Padano cheese master strolled over and we began talking about my trip.

You’re from where? You came on that? For how many kms?!

Suitably impressed, I was herded into the tent once again and given a big 400g slice of parmesan cheese, a small grater to grate it with, and some brochures for Grana Padano cheese.

That stuff is gooooood. I put way too much of it on my pasta, but I can’t help it. I had eaten the 400g slice within two days.

The rest of the day was again on good cycle paths along the Po River flood banks. I arrived at Torre de Oglio late, just before dark. This is where a floating bridge crosses the Oglio River, just before it joins with the Po River.

Bridge over the Oglio River, Torre de Oglio, Italy

I found a small side road that lead downstream towards the Po River and slept in the grass to the side of the road.


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2 thoughts on “Day 265 – ITALY: Peschiera to Torre de Oglio

  • Lee

    Madness. Never heard of a floating bridge before.

    From the warning sign (carefully included – good on ya, mate) it looks like it can flex a fair bit – i.e. not a couple of long sleepers with planks on top?