Cycle Trips
68 miles and 1517 metres climbed.
A long tough day, not helped by rain for most of it, some of it very heavy.
We were in the Tuscan Hills where gradients were often above 10% and sometimes 17%, Beautiful scenery but little time to soak it in.
A welcome lunch of salad and pasta at about 35 miles then more rain to the brew stop to change into something dry.
Then into Chianti country.
…. and a reward.
A very wet day.
Raining, so decide not to do the optional 65 mile loop today!
A late breakfast, some blog catch up, bike fettling, thanks to Alberto, one of our guides, a lot of fiddling with the Garmin with Reece and Bill (tomorrow will tell if it’s fixed), then some bike cleaning and finally some sightseeing in the city.
An enjoyable evening meal with Simon, Bill, Angus, Janet and Jack. Followed by gelatos.
Back on the bike tomorrow heading for San Casciano Del Bagni.
61 miles 1444 metres climbed.
Sunny and warm again after the rain of the last two days.
Crossing the Crete Senesi there were wave-like folds in the landscape.
After the town of Asciano we entered dramatic open country with a line of Italian cypresses on the horizon.
A steady climb brought a different view of the same line of trees.
Lunch came at 34 miles in the beautiful court yard of Ristorante Fonte Alle Vena in San Quirico D’Orcia with its statue of the great racing driver Tazio Nuvolari.
Our destination, San Casciano del Bagni. A good day’s ride.
A toughish day with fabulous scenery.
78 miles and 1701 metres climbed.
A day of undulations, some of which were 12% and more dramatic scenery. We entered the area of workable Tufa rock. Our first big town was Sorano where we saw the first signs of dwellings carved into the rock.
Lunch was taken at the hilltop town of Pitigliano with dramatic views of the road in.
Possibly the toughest day of the tour for me with the long distance and the amount of climbing.
81 miles and 1445 metres climbed.
Some short sharp climbs, at least one measuring 17%, on poor road surfaces contributed to another tough day.
There was a very steep descent to the shores of Lake Bracciano where we had a picnic lunch. More climbing after lunch then, a long descent to the last brew stop of the tour. Suitably fortified, with some birthday cake (Colin’s) which Jeremy had managed to rustle up, it was on to the rendezvous point about 5 miles out from the Centre of Rome.
Alberto guided the blue peloton into the centre where we enjoyed the customary Prosecco and group photos.
We then had a pleasant couple of miles along the Tibre cycle path to our hotel.
A gallery of photos from members of the tour can be seen here :- https://www.flickr.com/photos/peak-tours/albums/72157711641577068
A challenging tour. 783 miles (1,260 km), 13,498 metres (44,285 ft) of climbing. All completed with a group of extremely friendly and supportive people.
We had excellent support from team leader Reece, and Alberto and Jeremy. Nothing was too much trouble.
A great tour and I look forward to the next.
I am off again!
On Saturday 2nd June I fly to Marseille then on to Arles, to meet the rest of the group, before beginning “A Week in Provence” cycle tour – my third Peak Tours tour. On Sunday morning we start a route which takes in Avignon, Le Pont du Gard, Chateau Neuf du Pap (where wine might be taken!), Apt, the Gorge de la Nesque, Sault and Mont Ventoux – again, but from a different direction on this tour.
This afternoon I have been to Cobham Services, on the M25, to meet up with Martin and Trevor of Peak Tours who are taking my bike down to Arles in one of their famed Magic Vans.
Arrived in Arles about 6pm and checked in to Hotel Amphitheatre just a stone’s throw from the real thing in the photo above. A lovely warm evening for our group meal at Le Jardin de Manon, just 5 minutes from the hotel.
A 9am start tomorrow going to Avignon via le Pont du Gard.
70.35 miles, 649 metres climbed, average speed 12.7 mph
Set off from Arles about 9:15 after a group photo in front of the amphithearter. Weather was slightly overcast but warm.The first section of the ride was nice and flat passing through agricultural land with what looked like rice in paddy fields, then artichokes, and orchards of plums, cherries and pears. The brew van appeared at about 17 miles by which time the terrain had changed from flat to hilly with spectacular rocky outcrops. We were just below the hilltop town of Les Baux de Provence. Suitably refreshed we took the climb up to the very picturesque town with a viewpoint back to Arles..
We then continued climbing away from Baux and entered an area of pine trees. At St Remey de Provence we had to detour due to the town centre being closed for bull running -perhaps. The local explanation may have been lost in translation! Lunch stop came next to the cemetery at Graveson! Freshly made sandwiches, quiche and a delicious rhubarb tart. At 50 miles we reached the Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct and UNESCO World Heritage Site, which spans the Gardon river.
The route to Avignon was, for the most part, fairly flat as it followed the river Rhone but the road to our hotel was made a little tricky by some major road works.
There is a distinct lack of pot holes on any of the roads we have ridden today !