Off I went, at 10:30 in the morningSwitzerland as seen from ItalyLakes and mountainsThe bike route goes up an abandoned railway line through wonderfully cool tunnelsUp a nice doable grade, even with 24 kg bike and baggageLots of birdsOccasionally I take a breakListen to the birdsAdmire the huge treesLuscious forest with lots of creeksMost of the path was in the shadeAnd water millsLovely asphalt (whose origins are in … Saudi Arabia?)Really enjoying thisBike is behaving wellHowever, once the path ran out of asphalt and it became bumpy, I had to add some padding from a discarded cigarette box to stop the four pannier clasps from rattling.Arrived at the town at the top of the hill, 200m up over 5k! Even with the car this is quite a ride up.A triplet of donkeysWW1 artefact!Lovely views down the valley on the other sideMostly empty roadsAnother war artefactWater, valuables and foodA free campsite with a view beside a well-groomed playgroundThe whole male side of one family commemorated here. What a waste and heartache.Lunchtime!A very useful baggy with lots of space, keeping things together nicely. Fits perfectly in my lunch bag on the handlebarI stopped dangerously on an inside curve but had to take a picture of “Our lady of the cyclists”. See the front gear?Beautiful villas with gorgeous gardens on the edge of the provincial parkNot another hill?!? I thought we were done with them!La Pianura Padana! All downhill from here.Cooling down in the deep shade at the Lago di VareseNicely-maintained lidoLido di GavirateMan fishing behind the sluiceFunny white birds, all lined up!Hot in the sunGood thing most of the ride is in the shade!View of the creek to the leftView to the rightUpwardsCars aboveWhere I came fromLake of Comabbio!Made it!Liquid recoveryHorizontal recoveryThe front of this saddle chafed my hamstrings so I’ll replace it with my old saddle, which I fortunately brought along!Quiet rowers (but noisy coaches, exhorting away through megaphones)Those funny lined-up immobile birds again!Snacks at the lake while relaxing until dinnerIn the shadeNice restaurantVitello tonato with chips and a panacheCampground at the lakesideSunset over Lago di ComabbioSitting on the edge of the dockGood night
Cool and Interesting 
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