Our plan was for a longer day today, but we ended up with a day that was pretty similar in distance and vertical to our last 2 days. We did get farther away from the city, but I made decisions to take some smaller roads as this appeared to be what Keith and Jodi liked best. It made the distance shorter, but increased vertical and time. Either way, we all had a great day and really enjoyed another day of pretty perfect weather. We started by taking the Viale over to Piazza Ferucci, then heading out through Gavinanna to Bagno a Ripoli. At Bagno a Ripoli, the first real climb starts. We climbed up through Osteria Nuova to San Donato in Collina, where the hill tops out and we re-charged our water and took a short break. A great descent awaits and was had by all. You descend on pretty perfect roads though Troghi, Cellai, Palazzolo, to Incisa then Figline Valdarno.
In Figline, we headed up toward Passo de Sugame, and on the way, I pretty much made the decision to cut off after Dudda around 7/8 of the way up the pass. We stopped for some water and shade in a very small town before Dudda, and I discussed the possibilities with Keith and Jodi. If we continued to the top of the pass, we would descend to Greve, which is a great little town with a wonderful, beautiful town square. The ride back from Greve is less exciting though. They both reinforced my thoughts about the smaller roads, so we took the cut off after Dudda and rode up to La Panca. When in Dudda, I stopped for a Cafe Machiato, and for the first time in years, Keith had some as well. The little bar / restaurant there saved me on a cold day before the gran fondo, when I took a wrong turn, and I like to stop there now when I go by.
From La Panca, you have a wonderful descent to the main road to Strada, and we all really enjoyed it. From Strada, we rode out toward Grassina, but cut off to Impruneta, then descended through Monteoriolo and Mezzomonte before cutting off on the tiny roads to San Gersole. We descended through San Gersole, and cut off to go through Vacciano, before coming to the road over to Cinque Vie, then over to Piazza Ferucci completing our loop and heading home on the Viales. Another great day.
The summary is: 46.5 miles in 4 hours rolling time (almost 6 hours elapsed time - a few nice breaks) for an average speed of 11.6 mph with 3800 vertical feet climbed at and ideal average temperature of around 78. Another great day with Jodi and Keith.
Our first climb of the day around 2/3 the way to San Donato in Collina.
Starting the climb to Passo de Sugame.
On the way up to Passo de Sugame.
The final climb to the turn off above Dudda.
A view of Florence in the background from San Gersole.
On our way back on the tiny, little used road with
the church at Vacciano in the background.
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