Po River Bike Ride

The Po is Italy's biggest river.  You know it when you see it because it is so much wider than any other.  It flows through a very flat valley in the northern part of Italy.  For bike riding, the operative word here is FLAT.  None of the constant Tuscan hill climbing, in other words.

We did two previous European bike rides organized by Eileen Sanford through the San Diego Council of Ski Clubs.  Since this year's ride was nearby, we arranged to hook up with the group for the first two days of their bike & boat trip down the Po.  On Saturday of Easter weekend we schlepped our bikes to Mantova and met up with the group for the first night's dinner.

The merry folk of the good ship Ave Maria

The morning of the first day's ride was cold with a threat of rain, but the San Diego skiier/bikers were undeterrred, although *some* *people* did not get the memo about red jackets.

Trip leader Eileen and Mike survey the group readying for the first ride.

Caffe break

Day One was a ride in a loop through Mantova, out into the countryside, then back to the boat.  The major stop was at the Sanctuario della Beata delle Grazie in the comune of Curatone, 9 km outside of Mantova.  This church is famous for the stuffed crocodile that has been hanging from the ceiling since the 15th century.  It was Easter Sunday morning and mass was in progress when we got there.  We were able to go in the packed church for a while, but of course could not take pictures of Croc.

Exterior details of Sanctuario della Beata delle Grazie

By midday the weather improved, making for a pleasant ride back to the boat through agricultural fields along a series of canals that parallel the Mincio River, which flows into the Po.

After the ride, it was time for a happy hour, shower and clothes change, and dinner; a time to renew old friendships from previous rides, and make new ones. 

Donny, Chris Gill, Pip

Ron, Pip, Barbara

Bernie, Jim, (sorry we didn't catch your name!), Judy, Chris Polta

The schedule for Day Two was for the boat to motor down to the little town of Governolo where the Mincio meets the Po, arriving around 9am to start the bike ride.  Since we had our car and were not staying onboard, our plan was to get up early and drive down the short 15 km to Governolo.  No problem, right?  Well, not quite that easy.  We always allow for getting lost when going somewhere in Italy for the first time, and Monday morning was no exception.  We finally got to the river in Governolo about a quarter past 9 and...no boat!  Are we in the wrong place?  Did they get there early and take off without us?  And our bikes are on the boat!  We drove a short ways up and down, and talked to a few locals to whom we couldn't get across the idea we were looking for a big boat with lots of bikes.  It really was not that long, however, when the Ave Maria came around the bend and moored.  Our momentary panic was forgotten as we geared up for Ride Number Two.

And Day Two was a beautiful day.  We rode half-way with the group to the coffee break spot, said our good-byes to old friends and new, and then had a sublime ride back to our car.

The mighty Po

Spring fever?