I have made it. Found the eye of the needle and made it out of the mountains amazingly. First I doubted this way was right, because I had to climb up to Erto. After that I had the most amazing descend of almost 60kms with the longest tunnel crossing (4kms) of my life.

This all already happend with some rain. After being down in the flat land, I slipped in a roundabout, really nothing happened. Smooth landing and all cars had been far away for watching only.

Now I stopped at a small bar t have some toast for lunch. After finishing the first two, a heavy thunderstorm began with loads of rain. Lucky me. I gotta wait now.

I wanted to recharge my battery-pack. Since the flash hit something, there is no electricity.

Before it started I just promised to myself that I won’t ride in the flat when there are thunderstorms outside. You can understand why I am superstitious sometimes?

Morning breakfast

My tracker and mayday device

Traffic lights for entering the tunnel

Met him in a park this morning. Looks pretty worn down, but happy!

Thanks Ferg, for sharing (i have no facebook, but received your message anyway, thank you)

I received your warnings, thank you so much! Matija and Ivan!

What shall I do now; riding faster impossble; change the route only in life threatening urgent cases.

Please see enclosed my planned route for northern Croatia. Now still 140kms until Trieste. Getting up, breakfast and go for it.

I wished they were better. I am using voltaren and I need to get new pain killers. Eat all my paracetamol (only had four for bad situations, ibuprofen as well but they seem to be a placebo.

Need a good advice for achillies. Shall I just replace them? I won’t cut my jacket into a vest. Trying to find compression socks for the last three days, dozens of shop stopps on the road, nothing, niente, nada.

As my body felt quite okay after the Merano-rest. I speeded up to get to the bottom of the hills. I got Italian riders drafting me, I asked them to share the work (in Italian), they just stayed in behind of me. Silly guys, most silly guy is myself, I cannot get rid of these child genes. Attacking, chasing, speeding. It is just so much fun!

Yesterday was super hot. Climbing was totally and exhausting. Finally I reached the top off passo di Giao at 10 o’clock at night. Descending with Urs to Cortin, having a pizza and continuing further down into warmer areas.

Lost my way once you to dreaming on the bike. Had to climb up all that lost part again. Infect the climb to Passo di Giao was fatal. 

Replacements for knee and achillies are highly appreciated.

Else it was a wonderful day, I gonna get up now.

After a bunch of lazy lazy Italians drafted me on my way to Ora Auer, I have to fully recharge. This was a pure race. 

It is not just a prejudice, they are just lazy. Anyway I enjoyed. Now I recharged and then I slowly gonna climb up to passo di giao.

Nothing else. Physically My body knows and remembers all the alpine passes that we took together, minimum ten until today.

BUT, being here pays for all that pain. Sitting outside on the road and having REAL caffè provides the necessary counterweight for my inner balance. One more day in Switzerland might have provided some serious trouble to me. This is past now.

Feeling still empty after yesterdays midnight ride, but just good.

Finishing my breakfast now, then heading further south towards Bolzano.

Just arrived in Merano. What a never ending ride. 

Put my head on a wall for two minutes while continuing balancing the bike. Now sleep for 2-3 hrs, hopefully!

Good night.

This brings a whole new/ unbeatable perspective in this competition!

And Pasta Dolce con crema

Welcome in paradise!!!

If I still make it to Meran this night, not sure yet.