If you're going to be above 1,000m in altitude, even in the Mediterranean region throughout the summer, take a warmer bag
[speaks from shivery experience]
I took the down bag - needed it in the Alps, temperature drops around 12am - 1am and you get woken up by the cold. Quick grasp of the down bag and I used it as a quilt. Sent it home when I got out of the Alp foothills in Italy. Was really good sleeping in a tent with just cotton liner or just in boxer shorts - could be so warm.
On the bike bus met some wonderful people, made a vow on the bus "No Mediterranean sea until Italy" so avoided the Riviera (which would have been overcrowded anyway). Orange --> Sault --> Chateau Queyras --> Col Agnel (2700m altitude) into Italy --> Cortemillia --> Genova --> then cycled all the way down the middle avoiding the coast until Tropea in the South West of Italy. Cycled all the way through Sicily to Pozallo to get the ferry to Malta. Bloody amazing trip - hairs on end at some of the scenery. So easy to wild camp in the mountains. In the French Provincial Alps, I even camped on the riverbed without tent with the stars as company. The moon is so bright at altitude.
Met some very untypical cyclists - people on the fringes of society living off church food, freegans and hobos. I didn't take a camera but my phone has some pics. I shall get them up. One puncture in five weeks - and that was on the last day going into Malta as a reminder at my vulnerability and reliance on wheels. Chain twisted coming down a hill south of Salerno, luckily Shockwave cycles in Ruddington, Nottingham were kind enough to give me a second hand link before setting off from the UK. Worked so well - and the trip carried on.
Does anybody know what the Italian practice of beeping the car horn as they overtake you is about? Really loud and made me jump a couple of times. I understand it is a warning but even when the road was clear and I gave the cars plenty of room it would happen.
