Day 5 Tuscan hills and the rewards at the top
- Thomas Delker
- Jun 3
- 2 min read
With 2500 ft of climbing today we all decided on an early start. We were all a bit groggy due to the busyness of the town through the night as well as Sara’s middle-of-the-night zoom call so we were all zombie-ing getting ready. Off we headed by 7.30. A short stop for morning espresso and pastries as well as some sandwiches as it is a national holiday (Republic day) so we aren’t sure what will be open, and we were off.
What appeared to be a downhill was a series of very sharp ups and downs. The farmers also appeared to be burning their fields this morning and it really irritated Crys lungs. As we finally got the reward of the climbing, we entered a long flat stretch across the valley. As we finished that by 10 am, we could see the large hill right in front of us that would challenge us over the next 2 hrs. There was two perfect benches in the shade and we stopped to eat our sandwiches and drink some frozen water (Crys had the brillant idea of putting them in the freezer overnight) for energy right before the climb.
We left our rest spot and confronted the monster. Up and up and up. It started with 9% and maintained that for a few km and then it settled in to more manageable grade with punches of the 9%. Everyone did really well with keeping the peddles turning and up we went. At 11 we passed a beautiful restaurant but they didn’t open until noon. A short snack for more quick energy and back to the work.
By noon we crested the high point for the day and then the real reward - a beautiful Tuscan garden bistro perched on a field overlooking the beautiful Tuscan hills with outdoor picnic tables covered with shade clothes. Everyone was hungry for protein and the restaurant did not disappoint a- melon with prosciutto, sirloin and salad and cold white wine! This is what we had hoped for and felt very pleased to be sitting enjoying that food as the sweat dried on our shirts.
10km left with a rolling decent went well. The final climb to San Gimignano was not as dire as it looked on the elevation profile and by 2 pm we were being let in to our room. Showers, a short nap, and then Gelato and a stroll around the beautiful walled city with amazing towers. A great dinner at the restaurant owned by the same person as the small inn we are staying with.
Tomorrow is a day to explore San gimignano. We don’t have anything planned, and the town is perfect for that. We are lucky to be on bikes, as that has allowed us to stay in the walking-only hearts of these ancient towns. With only about 3 walking-streets to explorer I’m sure it will still be a busy day.
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