Day 47 Cesano - 14.9.05 

I was apprehensive about our ride into Rome. I had heard about how crazy the drivers are and saw the spider web of freeways so after a great breakfast in la Storia we proceeded with caution. We followed Via Cassia and it didn't let us down. It varied from rural to suburbia but never a freeway. and took us nicely into Rome over the regal bridge Ponte Flamino and into the madness.

 

We dropped into St Peters Basilica, did some Internet surfing while some rain passed overhead, and rode to our hotel on the other side of Rome. On the way we passed the Plazza del Popolo, Altare D Patnia, Colosseo and others. The monuments were impressive but the noise, aggression on the roads, and the rubbish around the place overshadowed the history.

I wondered at how far Rome is past its prime and thought that the Romans seemed not to have much pride in the city. I saw people casually just throw lit cigarettes, paper or any rubbish on the ground! The dirtiest place I have seen in Europe.

Stats Dist 53 Km, Average 21km/hr, Max 48km/hr, Climb 230m 

  Email John at John@CycleOdyssey.com.au
 

< Previous Post