September 14 – BAC Tuscany On The Med Day 3

Jean Smoot And Her Girls in Monteverdi

Colline Metallifere

This was another wonderful day riding in the Tuscany sun. A large group of us started out with George Hall, one of Syd’s helpers. Instead of following the prescribed route at the beginning, he took us over very narrow roads weaving through vineyards and farm land. This was a very picturesque and traffic-free route. We eventually met the main route and continued on the local Strada del Vino – The Wine Road.

The temperature was rising and those who had on arm warmers or jackets were taking them off. We headed north to Bibbona, then northeast and south to Monteverdi. There were a couple of significant climbs in between. I stopped a few times to take photos and found myself riding either solo or with various small groups. While filling our water bottles in Canneto at the top of a climb, we met another cycling group going the other direction. They were on Andy Hampsten’s Cinghiale Cycling Tours. A lunch wagon was set up for them.

I was going to get a panino in Monteverdi, but it was too crowded and too hot in the store. So I rode on with Christy and Jim back to our hotel.

Here is today’s route:

When I got to our room, Ann was there and ready to eat lunch. After cleaning up we walked over to Rosticceria Da Reno and sat at its outdoor tables right next to the unbusy street. We watched some of the riders go past. I had a very good mixed seafood grill with jumbo shrimp, octopus, squid and white fish. Ann had a mixed salad along with grilled egg plant.

There was a wedding reception in the hotel this evening, so our group was relocated. Our Happy Hour was in the bar area in front of the hotel. It was a little tight to fit 70+ people in it, but we persevered. Dinner was a real treat. We ate outside in the garden area. I had not been in this area yet. It was beautiful and the temperature was just right. The noise level was several decibel levels lower than the dining room. We could carry on a conversation without shouting.

 

Here is tonight’s menu: