Cycling Day One - Morciano

View From Our Belvedere Balcony

Cycling Day One

On the evening of our arrival, the hotel put on a reception and dinner for all 100+ participants for the biking week.  The wine was poured freely (I suspect not so free when all costs considered but at least "prepaid") and the food was both varied and excellent.  Each group had designated seating but cross talk with bikers from around the world soon ensued.  Many carafes of wine were consumed and the noise level rose accordingly.  The ‘first night’ excitement was palpable throughout the room. 

After dinner and much brave talk, each person signed up for their chosen tour.  We talked big but in the end we signed up for the “Leisure Tour”.  We, included Warren & Dianne, Sam and Cheryl, Linda, four others and ourselves.  The Leisure Tour was 40 kms to the hill town Morciano and back.  Marci and Keith chose the “Panorama Tour” along the coast covering 60 kms.  Nola, Glen and Philip chose the “Adventure Tour”, a hill climbing 80 kms.  Each tour started at 15 min. intervals from our hotel on the beach and returned at nearly the same time.  Clearly the elevation climbs and speed were the differentiating factors.

Up at 7:30 a.m. to ready us for a 9:30 a.m. start.  Joined everyone for the buffet breakfast in the main dining hall.  The stick people gathered around the fruit and yogurt.  I did the same to appear to fit in.  It is important to “look” the part if one is to be successful.  After the sticks moved to their respective dining areas, I tucked into the bacon and eggs, after all I am on holidays (can retired people be on ‘holiday’?).

We convened in our respective start areas at 9:30.  Our group, self-dubbed “the Toodlers”, had a great local leader.  He talked about safety being a big issue and we started by learning all the hand signals given by the leader at the front.  Communicating with his hands seemed very natural to our Italian Leader. He also gave a strict lecture about staying in line and communicating with the person behind you. 

Ready For the First Ride.

We began by meandering our way out of the town following main roads.  The traffic we encountered had a much different attitude toward cyclists that exists back home.  Cars were very respectful and cognizant of us as we negotiated round-a-bouts, “downtown” village squares, and faster regional roads.  We did have to be wary of the roads themselves.  We might complain but our secondary roads are in much better condition than anything we encountered today.

Once the confidence was up, we began to enjoy the scenery along the way.  Distant hill top vistas, olive groves, fruit orchards, and vineyards lined the way as we cruised between 18 and 20 kms. per hour.  We climbed to one baby hill town of 500 feet.  We stopped for cappuccino and a little exploring in Morciano, our goal for the day.  Taking a different route home we had one more stop in another village and were witness to a village wedding for Lucia and Laura.

Looking at the Countryside along the way!

Coffee Break in Morciano

As we approached Riccione, the speed picked up as folks gained biking confidence and visions of a fabulous hotel lunch back at the Belvedere started to rise.

Lots of Riding But also Lots of Sightseeing.

All in all it was a leisurely day.  Personally I think we could have done a little more work but it was a good way to start.  The only downside (and it was minor) was the fact that I had to bike in line following a rather large lady, with her biking shorts slipping a little below the equator on occasion.  Not a pretty sight to follow.  Eventually I found a reason to stop and check my bike fitting.  

We are thinking about moving up to the next level tomorrow or the day following.  I noticed a couple of old fat guys in the next level group.  

When we got back we joined up with our fellow riders from the other groups.  Everyone had a great time and Philip was proclaimed the top hill (up) rider of the entire Belvedere group.  The tour leader let him pass them on the long uphill on the 80 kms.

Off to dinner, drinks and sign up for tomorrow.