[Sorry for uploading so many posts all at once. It takes me a long time to prepare the photos and the posts and I haven’t had time or psychic space to do any for a while. It will slow down…I promise!]
Our first day of riding was up to the Republic of San Marino. I’ve always wanted to go there, ever since I collected stamps as a kid. San Marino, like Lichtenstein, was a big producer of fancy stamps. And anyhow it’s a cool place: an independent country inside Italy.
The town is a series of castles perched on the top of a ridge of cliffs. I wouldn’t want to live there. Too high, too vertical. 
Built right out of rock. Lots of stairs. Here I am carrying my bike down from one of the towers/castles.
Oh yes, the Giro comes here too. They have a time trial that ends up here. The signature color of the Giro is pink, so they have painted several streets and bike paths bright pink. It’s kind of alarming. But fun. 🙂
The castle town reminds me of one we went to in France. Can’t remember how to spell the name, but 1 of the hardest climbs to get to it! I love the oldness of Europe…
Btw, several people here know you, so it’s fun to mention you and your rides… Tom and Julie and Kelli send hellos!