Acqui Terme

Today’s ride was a 51 km loop from Acqui Terme passing through towns including: Alice Bel Colle, Quaranti, and Mombaruzzo. There were a few steady climbs during the day, including a 3K limb into Castelrocchero and a short climb of 18% grade, which was hellacious. For Lunch we stopped at a family owned vineyard, Erede di Chiappone Armando. We were greated by the owner’s, a husband and wife duo who were absolutely adorable. The husband, sporting true Italian style with a popped collar, gave us a very enthusiastic tour of the cellars and allowed us to sample the wines at the different stages of production.

They treated us to a home cooked meal of several courses, including: risotto, sausages, veal meatballs, cheese, and preserves cooked by the wife. There was no shortage of wine either as we had bottles of moscato, brachetto and doletto d’aqui. My personal favorite was the barbera d’asti. Every day a new member of our group is “awarded the cappello” for the day. Charlie ate so much at lunch, he was today’s winner. His second, and maybe third, helping of veal meatballs made an old Italian woman extremely proud.

After so much wine and food, getting back on the bike was a bit difficult and I wasn’t so sure about navigating the tortuous roads. There were few climbs heading out of town followed by gorgeous descents with winding switchbacks back to Acqui Terme. This time I was wise enough not to attempt the difficult loop.

After arriving back in town and showering. Dylan, Chris, Lorna and I headed to the local bikeshop and then out for some gelatto. Words can’t describe the gelatto; I’m not sure if they have anything like it in the US.

For dinner, Nina, Brett, Cassidy, and I went to a pizzera for, well pizza, and wine. Afterwards, more gelatto!