Radda in Chianti to Siena

May 6, 2022

A few Tuscan hills

We allowed ourselves a sleep-in by asking for breakfast at 9. After all, the planned scenic route was only 55 km and the direct route would be quite a bit shorter, should the weather be really bad. As it was, there were only a few light showers and we rode the route as planned.

All of this was for us. One of us was Al, though, so we only had a couple of pieces of cake to pack along.

Our bikes released from their shed, enjoying the view.

The route was up and down and prettily scenic, though not jaw-dropping. We stopped for lunch in Castelnuovo Berardenga, at a restaurant recommended by two workers in neon orange who were leaving as we were considering. We’d eat well there, they said. Decision made.

Gaiole in Chianti is the birthplace of L’Eroica, which started as a village cycling event.

The Gallo Nero is a symbol of Chianti, here displayed in Gaiole in Chianti.

The route got more scenic after lunch as we took some smaller roads, including a couple of unpaved sections. One of them was a named climb from the Strade Bianche race and yes, I had to walk some of it. We also rode bits of the L’Eroica route, which appeared to be well signposted.

Hmm…it seems Monteaperti has a Strade Bianche climb…

Al rode up at a decent speed while I had to walk a steep section

L’Eroica route is permanently signposted

Riding into Siena and finding the B&B we’d booked was a challenge. People everywhere, though unlike Florence, we had no bearings. Like Florence, the GPS had a hard time placing us in the narrow streets. Find it we did, though. This is the place where our bikes were to stay in the garden but, unlike other times my bike has stayed in a garden, this one isn’t quite so private. They are locked together with two locks and well out of sight so pretty secure. Hopefully the rain has ended so they won’t get too wet.

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Today's ride: 55 km (34 miles)
Total: 105 km (65 miles)

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