Cycling Day Six - The Final Ride

Final Ride – Saludecio

Woke up this morning feeling the effects of yesterday’s hill climb and the accumulation of the week’s riding.  Neither of us have done this much riding since we were in our twenties.  As a result, we chose the shortest ride of the day – 53 km to the hill town of Saludecio (yes, it seems all the towns are on the top of hills).  The other choice was 99 km to Urbano.  The week’s riding has definitely provided us with newfound strength and a ton of confidence but I think we were okay with the short hop and look forward to a few days rest.

The ride was great.  Just enough hill climbing (700 meters of elevation change) to make it interesting, the down hills exhilarating, and the vistas most memorable.  Most of the farms have half their crops in and the fields have been turned and readied for fall planting.  When we do stop along the way the silence is almost eerie.  You can almost feel the slow pace of farming life.  The farmhouses appear to be all cut from the same clothe – a combination of beige brick and stone.

Admiring his Bike after another uphill climb.

When we reached Saludecio it seemed like we were the only ones there.  One café was open and soon we had the two baristas on the hop.  Enjoyed our Latte’s (no cappuccinos today) in an outside courtyard overlooking the valley.

Entering Saludecio.

The downhill run was the usual blast and back to the hotel we rolled.  Always back for lunch at 2 pm.  This time our group was the first to arrive and we had first crack at the buffet and tables by the pool.

We returned our bikes to the rental shop.  I loved my bike.  I took pictures of it when we parted.  I felt like I was leaving an old friend.  You have to have a lot of confidence in your bike when you let it freewheel you at 65 km down a mountain road.  I don’t think I’ll ever ride as nice a bike again.  An Italian made “De Rosa King 3”.  They told me if I lost it I would have to pay $3000 Euros.  I don’t think I can afford that expense but I know I will now buy a road bike and clip in shoes.  Yes, I may even wear the spandex under shorts, over.   Hopefully no one I know will have to experience seeing that.  You would think I would have lost weight over this week.  I guess I have been balancing the calorie burns with the buffet table.  Deborah of course is slimmer than even normal.

The De Rosa King

Dinner tonight will be quiet compared to last night.  The hotel had formal seating for all the guests at poolside rather than in the common dining hall.  Each country was recognized.  Canada first due to the greatest numbers.  The DJ played Oh Canada and we all sang our hearts out.  The U.S. was next, followed by Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Austria.  We had a served four-course meal with champagne, red and white wine and cocktails if you chose.  A mostly naked Brazilian Dancer and Fabio the Flame Thrower/Eater/Dancer entertained us.  The hotel staff and owner serenaded the group and dancing to midnight followed.  Deborah might have been the most energetic dancer of us all.

Check out in the morning and then train to Siena for a two-night stay before beginning the trekking to Montepulciano, through Tuscany.

End of Bike Week!

Ciao!  (for a few days)