CTC Cambridge

Monday 26 June 2023 

Alex writes: We could have taken the main roads today to finish our adventure, but in the Flatlands Four one does not simply cycle to Rome. Instead we had a final big challenge to relish: a climb up an extinct volcano to its caldera lake, Lake Vico.

The climb turned out to be a beautiful one, albeit with some savage gradients in its central section. In its upper reaches it emerged into a forest area.

Glyn was delighted to see a wild boar and four piglets crossing the road ahead of him. A final ramp to the top and that was it: all the big climbing was over for the trip.

Down then for a coffee in the astonishing clifftop village of Ronciglione, where we got our pilgrim passports stamped.

A leisurely trip then on quiet roads and strade bianche for lunch and photos on the shores of Lake Bracciano.

Then it was time for for the final run into Rome. Quiet roads became busier, and once inside the city perimeter we soon found ourselves on a steeply rolling multi-lane highway which was hard to enjoy. By contrast central Rome was easier to cycle in, as the traffic was so chaotic it was possible to progress by going for it and daring cars to knock you off. Soon we were at the Vatican and Glyn waved our pilgrim passport to bypass huge queues and stride through several security checkpoints, before penetrating to an inner sanctum where our pilgrim status could be affirmed with the issue of testimoniums.

That was it! a final ride past the Circus Maximus to our guest house and our journey was over. A huge meal and several celebratory drinks beckoned...

Word of the day: valiant

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