Raleigh Bikes, Broken Frames, and Bologna Tortellini
In July 2021, we embarked on what can only be described as a “vintage” cycling adventure. Armed with our old Raleigh bikes, lovingly (and questionably) assembled by us, we set off from Munich on July 19th, aiming to cross the Alps and make it to the sunny shores of Lake Garda. Florence was our ultimate goal, but time wasn’t on our side, so we settled for a quick detour to Bologna—because, well, tortellini.
STATISTICS
- Dates: July 19, 2021 – July 28, 2021
- Total Distance: 535 km
- Elevation Gain: 4,952 meters
- Number of Cycling Days: 9
- Toughest Stage: 124 km with 1,812 meters of elevation gain
- Route: Munich → Garmisch-Partenkirchen → Imst → Pfunds → Reschen Lake → Reschen Pass → Merano → Bolzano → Trento → Lake Garda
- Final Destination: Verona (with a day trip to Bologna)
- Bicycle Accident: 30 km before Lake Garda, broken fork on Nils’ bike, fixed in Verona with duct tape
- Highlights: Unique Alpine bike paths, massive groups of cyclists, and Bologna’s famous tortellini
The ride covered 535 km and a leg-burning 4,952 meters of elevation, spread across 9 glorious (and sometimes painful) stages. Our toughest day? Climbing 1,812 meters over 124 km, all while our fully loaded Raleigh bikes were creaking and groaning in protest. But hey, nothing screams “adventure” like pedaling up mountain passes on bikes that look like they belong in a museum!
The real drama, though, happened 30 km before we reached Lake Garda. My buddy Nils’ bike decided it had had enough and snapped—right at the fork. No more downhill coasting for us! But with a bit of creative bending, twisting, and a healthy dose of hope, we somehow managed to limp to the lake.
Once in Verona (after some well-deserved pizza), we applied the ultimate fix: a generous amount of tape. With that, Nils handled the bike like a pro all the way to Bologna. Forget the fancy gear—nothing beats tape, determination, and a craving for tortellini.In the end, it was an unforgettable tour. The alpine views, the seemingly endless cycle paths, and the sheer number of fellow cyclists on the road made it a unique experience. And while we may have had to “rebuild” our bikes along the way, we made it to the finish line with smiles (and sore legs). An absolute blast from start to finish!
