Day three with Roger - San Donato, Sette Ponti, Vallambrosa, Rosano, home.

We started the day with some mechanical difficulties, but switched bikes, and Roger was fine on the DeRosa.  The crank arm on my relatively new FSA crank is cracked.  It is great Roger noticed it and we switched.  It could have been a problem out on the road.  I will look into replacement for the crank arm later this week.  For now, my energies are reserved for doing what I can to keep up with Roger.

We left my apartment with the DeRosa, and headed out to Bagno a Ripoli, then climbed to San Donato in Collina, then descended through Troghi, Valli, and stopped in Pallazuolo for an espresso.  We then continued the descent to the road that goes by the outlet stores, and crossed the Arno.  I gave Roger the option of Setti Ponti or skipping it, and we did the longer route.  We climbed / descended over to Figline, then hooked up with the roads to get out to and climb to Castelfranco, where the Sette Ponti route starts.  As always, this is a magical ride, super curvy, a little up, a little down, but pretty fast and fun.  We cruised into Regello, and stopped for some food and water.  A short rest (I don't think Roger normally takes any rest) and we were off to do the climb to Saltino, where we stopped for a second espresso, water, and again, a short rest.  We pushed on to Vallambrosa, then descended to Tosi, then Paterno, then Pelago, and finally into Pontesieve.  From Regello to Pontesieve, we were doing the reverse of the giro route which will take place in two weeks.

At Pontesieve, we took the route through town, then over the old bridge to Rosano, then headed home on the south side of the Arno.  Although a very long day with lots of climbing, I felt better than yesterday, and seemed to be gaining strength.  Another fun day with Roger - I will either get stronger or end up left on the road, so it is good to be feeling stronger.  The summary is:  74.5 miles in 5:22 rolling time for an average speed of 13.9 mph with 5180 vertical feet climbed at an average temperature of 72. Nice.

Day 3 with Roger - San Donato, Sette Ponti, Vallambrosa by ridingwithcosimo at Garmin Connect - Details

There goes Roger, starting the wonderful Sette Ponti ride.

Irises in bloom on the Sette Ponti road.

At the top of the climb in Saltino.

The descent starts with the old Monastery in the background.

Here is Roger starting the descent from Vallambrosa.