For the first time, we were flying and hiring. And Tim was a new addition to our team!

We arrived in the dark and this is all we could see. 

We awoke to this fabulous view.

The sun was shining and hopes were high for the Multistradas and the BMW S1000XRs.

We stopped for coffee having been in traffic all morning. The roads had cleared and we were looking for some good riding. The sun was still shining!

When we rode into the hills, the rains started. Jonno put on his condom suit and the rain stopped.

It started again soon enough though!

It absolutely tipped down coming down the mountain so we took shelter under a 'bridge' to try and stay dry. I wasn't getting much wetter so I just left my waterproofs in the pannier! Big mistake!

These trousers are a bit tricky to put on! I'll ask for some help.

The brothers still couldn't work out how the trousers went on! Luckily after half an hour it had stopped raining!

We arrived here with one damaged bike (sorry Mark!) but it was the best hotel of the trip. Great resort hotel with fabulous grounds and beautiful location by Lake Garda.

We ate at El Re della Bussa which was exceptional.

It's heated as well!

Through the grounds of the hotel and through the security gate and you're presented with this view.

Stopped here for coffee on our way to Verona. Had some good roads but a very sad call from an old friend who had just lost his son.

Ducati or BMW? Both really good bikes. BMW especially very accomplished, but lacks soul.

Jonno insisted on stopping for lunch at the best motorway cafes! We struggled to pull Ian away from the dolls for sale!

Tim had organised a trip to the Ducati factory and museum. The factory was shut due to impending new model launches.

We were given a special tour thanks to Tim's Big Cheese status. This was as close to the factory as they would let us!

The racing team hide in here!

After a nightmare morning in heavy traffic and mad drivers, we stopped for coffee and decided to go well off the beaten track.

Through the valleys and up and down mountains we had a great ride to Genoa on roads with great turns and tricky surfaces. At one point the Ducati even shed one of its panniers!

It was a long day. Longer than the satnav battery. So the battery pack was strapped on and was very welcome! Also on view is the microphone for the Go-pro!

Yawn! 

At the bottom of the valley we were trapped by a mudslide that was being cleared. The village was effectively cut off an they didn't want us going through until the road was cleared by a man and his hose! It was a Friday at 5.30 so the overtime was obviouusly welcome by them all!

It would have been nice to spend some time in this grand old city.

Frank Sinatra's favourite restaurant. Probably not ours but it was fun if a bit touristy.

It was all too much for someone! That was before we walked to the lift to be propositioned by one of the many ladies that frequented the Italian cities!

Found this in teh basement of teh BMW rental garage.

Everyone was tired after a long day.