EV7-Day 5 - Republic Day

One of the last views of the Dolomites, as we ride out of the South Tyrol / Trentino region into the Veneto. Industry and agriculture run the length of the valley along the Adige River. In photo, there is a vineyard on one side of the river canal, a paper mill / processing plant on the other, and the adjacent bike trail. Almost as soon as we left the Dolomite mountains with the easy flat bike path along the valley, the path started climbing. So today’s ride to Verona was longer with hills!. At about 9:00 ish, this tranquil bike path became a bike super highway. Today is a national holiday to celebrate the day in 1946 when the Italians voted in favor of a Republic, as the monarchy had been discredited during WW2. So EVERYONE was out on their bikes! The packs of speedy riders wearing matching colorful lycra outfits and pedaling sleek road bikes. Families toodle past towing a baby trailer or toddler on a trike. Folks walking dogs, Elders riding Older Bikes. Tour groups whizzing by on e-Bikes. And a few bike packers, like us. We joined the “patriotic’ crowds in Verona to listen to a free concert in the park by the Italian military band (extra).