Yesterday was a day for packing and moving and a little bit of catching up with a few of our favorite things before we left Florence. After breakfast I went on a walking tour of some of the sights that I was fondest of. I revisited The Duoma, the Plaza Reppublica and the Porta Veccio. I also broused through a few of the open air markets that were in progress.
When I got back to the hotel, both Chris and I were hungry so we set out to find the little slandwich shop that our guide had pointed out to us on Friday but had too long a line. This time we seemed to arrive just in time as the line was short and we were able to order quickly and just in time too as the line grew to more than a block as we were eating
The sandwich shop
We did find this nice piece of art dedicated to Mike Nortman and myself
When we got back to the hotel, the VBT (touring company) people were there and ready to load out luggage and transport us to San Gimngnano, about an hour and a half drive.
As we left the city we got our first real look at the Tuscan Hills and it is beautiful.
San Gimignano
Our Hotel
Our first order of business was to get our bikes and take our maiden voyage on them. Now those of you that ride with me will detect the bike snob here. The are not Cannondales (Fuji) they are not Ultegra (Tiagra) and they are not Di2. Other than that, I guess they will do😏
Chris and I both brought our own seats and pedals and once we installed them we were off on our first ride, a 6 k loop that we did twice for good measure. It was our first taste of the hills that await.
Happy to be riding!
Dinner last night was a classic, 3 course, late and lazy affair hat left us stuffed . It was delicious.
Breakfast this morning was incredible as well, seems like we are going to eat our way through Italy.
The breakfast table
After breakfast we were off and riding. Our schedule this morning had us doing a fairly easy 26 miles through the hills with a stop for lunch in the town of San Giamingano. The town is a Midieval town that is completely inside a fortress. We were able to do a little shopping as well, finding some great local riding jerseys.
After lunch it was on to the "alternate ride" (as opposed to going back to the hotel). They warned us it was difficult and it was. Several climbs of over 15 degrees elevation and at least one downhill at 20 degrees. I LOVED all of it. I am right in my element!
After we shower and clean up it is back to San Gimingnano for dinner then back to the hotel as we will be moving again tomorrow.
The grounds of the hotel
Pre ride check in this morning
The streets of San Gimingnano are very narrow!
Headed back after a ride
The entrance to the walled in City of San Gimingnano
A well in one of the Town Squares
I don't know if you'll actually see this, but I really do admire your gusto - looks like an amazing adventure ! Enjoy, and get home safe- Jack C
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