#RoadsFromRome Day 5 - Short N Sweet To Merano


I had a good night in the cooler temperature of the Dolomites last night - it was a change to need to wear all of my clothing to bed, and use my sleeping bag rather than lie on top of it.

The day started with a great little descent down one of South Tyrol’s many beautiful dedicated cycle paths. Weaving through apple plantations, it felt like familiar ground; I really do love this region.

Today was always planned to be a short day, and because of a change of schedule I was even more keen for it to be - rather than stay in Merano for two nights, I have decided to push on into Austria tomorrow, in the knowledge that my pace over the passes is slower than planned, and also because of forecast weather coming in. In effect, it means today is my rest day.

The only climb of the day was up and over into the Val d'Ultimo. I stopped for breakfast at the bottom, and then cracked on with the decent length climb. It still clocked over 1500 metres elevation gain, but on almost deserted singletrack road. Beautiful.

The descent down to Lana and then onwards to Merano was equally Ultimo. Weaving round wide bends, and blasting through long tunnels.

By lunchtime I had arrived at Meran. I checked into the beautiful Hotel Terme Meran, and now plan to spend the rest of the day in their Sky Spa and thermal baths, before a full four course meal. Time to hopefully rejuvenate the muscles ahead of the next big mountains.

Catch up with the day's photos on Instagram: @tim_wiggins1


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