We set off through Vacciago, cycling on the level to Miasino, descending the familiar road down through the woods to Legro and the Orta roundabout. We then took the SP229 lakeside road along the east side of Lake Orta, stopping for coffee in Omegna. It's then a descent on the wide and busy road with shops either side to Gravellona Toce. From Gravellona to Verbania is on the level - a tram ran this route years ago. We followed the main road to Fondotoce and on to Verbania which has a new suspended cycle path, which is being extended. We turned off to take the 2km of cycle path 'the long way round' the headland (Via Vittorio Veneto) and cycled towards Intra, turning off just before the town, down to the ferry terminal. We bought tickets and boarded in a few minutes, and relaxed as the boat did the work for a change.
In Laveno, David returned to the ferry to look (in vain) for the bulb of his hooter, and we ate our fruit in the public park near the ferry terminal.
We then set off on the lake side road which is fairly up and down through many villages, stopping for lunch (a bowl of pasta in a trattoria) near Castelveccano. We arrived in Luino in good time and checked in at the Residence Porto Vecchio, staying in apartment Lavarello.
The lock of the bike room was problematic, and we had to call for assistance to sort it out, but by this time David had already taken his bike up to our apartment. We had a good look round the town, checked out some restaurants and did some shopping, before coming out again in the evening to eat.
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