Tour of Italy

Well hello.  It's been awhile since I've done anything worthy of a post.  But I'm back with some big news.  And yes it is about biking.

I'm going to Italy.  To tour Venice and the surrounding area by bike.  With my girlfriends.  It's going to be awesome.  It's going to be epic.  Rob is envious.

Here is the itinerary:

Day 1: Vicenza - Individual arrival. A nice and cosy historical city centre characterized by the buildings of the famous architect Andrea Palladio (16th century).
Day 2: Vicenza – Bassano del Grappa (approx. 25 miles/40 km)From Vicenza you cycle towards Marostica, famous for its castle and the chessboard in the main square. The last stop is Bassano del Grappa with its covered wooden bridge and the “grappa”.
Overnight in Bassano del Grappa.
Day 3: Bassano del Grappa – Treviso (approx. 38 miles/62 km)You enter Asolo, which presents us with the only real uphill section of our ride. The downhill run takes you to the land of Prosecco vineyards and on to Maser. The trip ends in Treviso.
Overnight in Treviso.
Day 4: Treviso – Mestre/Venice (approx. 24 miles/38 km)Leaving Treviso behind you follow the course of the River Sile up to Casale. At the end of the trip Venice awaits for evening among canals and narrow streets; accommodations are in Mestre.
Overnight in Mestre or Venice. A supplement applies for lodging in Venice.
Day 5: Mestre/Venice – Chioggia (approx. 20 miles/33km)
Leaving Mestre this morning you head into Venice pedalling on the 2.5-mile (4 km) bridge “della Libertà”, then to Tronchetto harbour. From here you take a ferry (payable locally) along the canal Giudecca to Lido. It is the most exciting day, pedalling on two narrow islands that divide the sea from the lagoon: Malamocco and the island of Pellestrina.
Overnight in Chioggia.
Day 6: Chioggia – Padua (approx. 37 miles/60 km)You pedal along the two rivers that carried trade in and out of Venice in this area centuries ago: Bacchiglione and Brenta. You continue on to Strà, famous for the majestic Villa Pisani. On arrival in Padua, you will find the great basilica dedicated to St. Anthony, the historic Caffè Pedrocchi and Prato della Valle.
Overnight in Padova.
Day 7: Padua – Vicenza (approx. 30 miles/48 km)The Bacchiglione River points the way out of the the city and you reach Costozza, a little town at the foot of the Berici hills. The bike path passes in front of Villa Rotonda, the most famous of the Palladian villas. Just before entering Vicenza you see the Villa Valmarana ai Nani with its marvellous frescoes by Tiepolo.
Overnight in Vicenza.

Day 8: Vicenza - Departure from Vicenza. 

So that is 6 consecutive days of cycling for a total of 174 miles.  I'm going to need to train for that.

And there seems to be vineyards along the way.  Which means there will be some wine tasting.  And bike riding.  Together.  I'm going to need to train for that.

It's possible I could get a flat tire.  And my husband won't be on the same side of the Atlantic as me.  Uh-oh.  I'm going to need to train for that.

So what is my plan?  It's super laid-back.  Ride often.  Ride with friends in places where we can do some sightseeing, have a glass of wine, and continue riding.  For the next four months, I will spend a lot of time in the saddle.  Get some instruction on changing a flat.  Practice it a few times.  Hope (and maybe freak out a little) that I don't get a flat in Italy.  Ride some more.

I'm also going to read this:

Venice:  Pure City

And watch this:

Under the Tuscan Sun

I'm going to consider the book and movie my cross training. 

Have you ever done a similar bike trip?  Any advice on how to prepare?  I'd love to hear any bits of experience or words of wisdom!!

Ciao!

~Cori