54 miles ridden – 4600 feet climbed

Today was another hot day with lots of small climbs rather than the long drags we had yesterday.

The day began with a coach transfer from our hotel in Pistoia to the centre of Florence in order to avoid the extensive navigation required to get us through the outskirts. As we drove in this strategy made obvious sense and we began cycling in a park by the river. There were thoughts of spending a bit of time having a look around but it turned out that today was a public holiday and it was mobbed (and very hot) so we carried on out into the countryside. And beautiful it was too:

The road surface was generally good which meant we could go a little faster down the descents but it was one of those days where the excitement of the lovely flat road at the bottom with a gentle tailwind only lasted about 400 yards until a sharp left turn brought the next climb into view.

We had lunch at a fabulous ‘home restaurant’ which are apparently increasingly popular. We sat in the shade in a beautiful garden enjoying the most fabulous antipasti, pasta, risotto, fruit, bread…….. with a view of orchards and the stunningly renovated and extended old farmhouse. The couple who own it had taken the day off work to prepare the food and welcome us into their home. It was absolutely wonderful.

Sadly for our digestion from there it was literally straight into a long climb. Our stomachs were threatening indigestion and our legs screaming to stop but we kept going and after 5-10 mins they fell into line and the scenery continued to take our breath away.

Our tea stop was in a layby by a small rural church with lots of shade, a lovely breeze and good snacks:

Today we finish in Siena and have a rest day which we are all excited about. Heather, Murray, Julie, Terry, Sue and I sat in the main piazza last night for dinner taking in the charm of Siena watching both people wandering past and swallows swooping against the backdrop of this striking city and a twilight blue sky with bright moon.

I had another fabulous day and Sue led the group up one of the hills – she’s the one in pink Rapha: