Day 1: Milan to Verona

I took an overnight train from Karlsruhe, Germany to Milano Centrale (expect an extra charge for a bike) and arrived at 7:30 to overcast skies and in the middle of a busy metropolis. My first advice for time spent near large travel hubs is to be very vigilant about your possessions. I nearly had my passport, cash, and credit card stolen by an innocent-looking boy at the train station. Because you are clumsily carting a bike, likely loaded down with panniers, you are extremely vulnerable to theft.

From the train station, I quickly left the busy streets and rode along the Naviglio Martesana bikepath east out of town to Cassano d' Abba. This part of the route was uninspiring. Graffiti riddles the bike path and views beyond the graffiti are mostly high-rise apartment buildings. Once you leave the confines of Milan, the sights do improve, however. Most of the roads around Milan are riddled with semi-trucks, much to my surprise.

After the hail and frustration with truck traffic, I arrived in Verona. The city was larger than I anticipated and it was difficult to orient myself. I searched for some time for "Old Verona" where I planned to stay at a youth hostel. After asking the locals which direction I should head, they suggested I follow bus-line 11. With this suggestion, I diligently followed the 11 bus for about 9 km. Eventually, the bus was far from any hotels or restaurants... not a good sign. I asked a local where "Old Verona" was, and they told me it was about 8 km in the direction I had just come! Apparently I was too focused on the bus and had passed my destination. Around 6 PM, I arrived at the hostel (Hostel Verona; ~15 euro, breakfast included), where I quickly checked in, showered, and headed out for pizza, vini, and gelato.

Summary: 193 km (120 miles); lots of truck traffic and relatively flat riding