Cyclo-Cross World Cup #9 Milan, Italy

One of the greatest things about racing adventures is the travel to cool places and the people you meet. Unfortunately it is sometimes to places that you don’t really see much of, aside from the venue or the airport or the bus station. Milan was no exception. Although the Parco Idroscalo was quite an amazing venue, right on the water, it was not Milan. The next best thing, I figured, was to search out some authentic Italian food and feast on the local fare. My friend Patrick had let me know of an article he had just read about an amazing restaurant in Milan. I was psyched. Of course, this was Italy, so food was going to have to wait until 7 or even possibly 8 p.m. Would two hungry bike racers could make it? We did and off we went with GPS in hand and the address to what promised to be an amazing gastronomical adventure. And we found it without any problems. Well, one problem. It was closed.

But we were in a part of Milan that seemed to at least have a few things open. Within walking distance there were several “Pizzarias”, so the search continued up the street. We became less picky as our bellies started to growl. A nicely lit, smallish pizzeria with a waiter that spoke English was our final choice. And then I pondered, is there bad food in Italy?

Rachel had the Pizza!

I had the Salmon Tagliatelle along with a salad. But of course, what would a good Italian meal be without dessert? We did earn it, didn’t we? It would be our only real meal of the day. But the only thing more disappointing than the restaurant we really wanted to go to being closed, was the Tiramisu.