Day 9 Siena to Bagno Vignoni

Our biggest biking day of the trip lay in front of us. 60 km and 830m (2800 ft). We had sandwiches and frozen drinks ready as well as 5 spare tubes. Breakfast at a cafe and we headed out. 

The ride was very nice all morning. Cool and beautiful landscape as we made our way out of busy Siena into the hilly country side. Every time we topped a hill there were more views and beautiful villas and peace. More gravel road and another flat, this time my front tire. Careful looking but just a cut in the tire, no sharp pieces left behind - maybe just a razor sharp rock? Mechanical issues always leave me on edge for a while but no more issues for the rest of the day. 

We found a Coop grocery store at lunch time and got a few snacks and refilled drinks then found a park with shade. We ate the amazing sandwiches we got in Siena and kept our break short as most of the climbing was in front of us. Heading out at 12.30 the sun was hot and the temperature was in the low 80s. Manageable but hot on the climbs in full sun. Sara got some sun rash and kept moving despite the discomfort. Again, beautiful and hard. 

At 2 pm we found ourselves at San Quirico d’Orcia with only 5 km left and one final big push up. We headed out after a nice rest in the shade right at the intersection under the chestnut tree. Shade trumps all!

We headed out at 2.30 and climbed up up up to the crèchendo of the day. We made it! Then a hair raising 15% (!!!) grade down a gravel road where we popped out at an ancient Roman (and even older Etruscan) mill site and thermal pool town of Bagno Vignoni. With several 4 star hotels and a weekend, it was hard to find a place to stay, but we had arranged something with a restaurant that rented reasonably-priced rooms above it. The town is delightful - small, all around the central pool (no swimming there) and very relaxing. 

We had dinner with the place we are staying and then decided to walk down to the natural spring below town. We were alone and the setting was amazing! We got in the natural pool with its tepid water but it was very enjoyable with the near-full moon and very tired legs. Much joy, fun and memories together as a family!

We have a zero tomorrow to go to one of the hotel spa pools on a day pass. Looking forward to it!

we got this!

yes they were as steep as this looks!

One of the many climbs

castle ruins in the distance

Evening at the natural hot spring