Day 13 Modena to Bergamo

Modena (emphasis on the first syllable "Mo") was steaming hot and we could only manage to walk to the Pizzeria across the street - but fortunately the pizzi were excellent and the beer cold.
This morning we had a few deserters - Jack turned 40 so he and his brother Simon and Neil (of balloon and refugee-saviour fame) went on a non-bike adventure leaving a gang of seven (the Magnificent Seven or the Seven Dwarfs?) to head off on the longest day of them all - 214 km to Bergamo - fortunately the terrain is flat, unfortunately the temp. was 38-40 and yes there was  headwind all the way. We worked part of the route as a "chain-gang" constantly rotating to keep the speed as high as we could (around 30 km or 20 mph) - the one in front has to exert 30% or so more energy than the next one. But we had to stop for rehydration every hour or so - even icecold water in the bottles on the bike got so warm within 20 minutes that it was tempting to put a tea-bag in the bottle as well. And pouring the bottle over me to cool down was like having a warm shower. The first part of the day was pleasant - riding along little vineyards on small quiet roads, but the last bit was heavy traffic and not scenic. We stopped for a photo at the Bianchi bike factory although not all shared Michael's enthusiasm.

Towards the end of the ride D who shall otherwise remain anonymous sprinted off to get to a drinking hole. If he had been one of the dwarves he would most certainly have been known as Thirsty - and he had a rendezvous with another fairytale character  - probably Peroniocchio.
The rest of us arrived after 10 hours en route. After the usual preparations we convened in a steak house near the hotel where to  my great fortune  the first fillet of beef was too well done so they brought me a second, rare. As I managed to eat most of the first one whilst waiting for the second I think I had my protein ration for the day - but I must apologise  for the impact on Global Warming - two steaks on a day is not on (however the only beef I've had for the last two weeks so mYbe I am forgiven?).
Tomorrow 40-50 km to Lake Como, visit the chapel dedicated to cyclists , pack the bikes into the van  and prepare for the trip home. Almost there!!!!!