Yesterday we rode 104km from Lake Trasimeno to Siena (my first 100km on the bike!). I had the backpack for 80km, and Matt kindly took it for the other 20k (including a 10k climb, which he keeps reminding me about!).
We got very lost trying to find our accomm yesterday. Imagine a small town named Hunter Valley, located somewhere in the Hunter Valley. We found the small town, but did not realise how massive the region was. After much laughter from the locals, arm-waving and head shaking, they manged to show us on a small tourist map that we still had another 22k of hills to get to our true destination. We arrived without food or drink (one croissant and nutella satchet) feeling very dispondent at the thought of riding another hilly 12k into Siena for the nearest shops. I sent Matt up the road to scout for food. He returned telling me that he found a small inn, and that it was going to cost us 1 euro for every km we had ridden!! (you do the math). Not knowing quite what to expect we arrived at 7.30pm for dinner and finished eating 2 hours later. Matt stretched himself beyond return, and I skipped the 7th course! We were treated to small portions of the regions finest cuisine! Incredible! The house wine, beautiful! Sometimes it works out okay, even when you dont plan things very well...it was an experience we shall never forget.
Today, being our recovery day, we will quietly tour Siena, and will have ridden 50k by the time we return to our accommodation this afternoon. Its a day of washing, groceries & correspondence.
Tomorrow we will day trip to San Gimignano (about a 90k return trip), then Sunday we head for Florence (a short 80k, fully ladden). My perspective on distances and efforts required to achieve such, have become abnormal to say the least. From Florence we are planning to get a train to La Spezia, where we have 3 nights in Cinque Terre, and hopefully a swim in the ocean before Matt launches into Phase 2 of our training (running and trekking all around Cinque Terre!).
Love you all. Take care, we will write again soon.
Sah & Matt Bacon in Italia xoxo
