Short Chianti tour with Don and Kay watching for expected rain showers.

Don and Kay returned yesterday, and today we were able to get a ride in this morning before the predicted rain, which has kind of come, but not much.  Actually, the most rain we have seen so far was on the way to San Casciano and Chiesa Nuova.  We left going through Ponte a Ema, then hooked up with the climb through Vacciano to San Gersole, a road they had not ridden before.  They loved the road and the climb, so I was happy.  We continued climbing to Impruneta, where we stopped for a cafe, which was excellent, as always.  I had explained the ride today as having options to turn around, and not taking us too far away, as rain is in the forecast.  We continued from Impruneta, descending to the Luiano climb.  We climbed that and pulled over at the start of the descent to Montefiridolfi, and took in the weather.   It had started to sprinkle, very lightly, but looking at the clouds, we decided to head home through San Casciano.  After a kilometer or so, it really did start to rain and we pulled over to put on our coats.  It rained lightly on us through Chiesa Nuova, then basically stopped.  We descended to Scandicci, then took off our coats and started the crank back into Firenze.  In less than 2 kilometers, it had started to rain again, so we pulled over and put the coats back on.  We made it happily back into Firenze, and the rain stopped again.  I suggested a stop at a gelato place, B-Ice, which is quite good and they had not been to.  We all enjoyed the gelato, then made it back home.  The rain has stopped again, but it still looks threatening.  I am glad we got a reasonably early start and were able to get a ride in.  I enjoyed being back out on the road with them both.  I had a little talk with myself about expectations, which helped quite a bit today.  I will try to keep expectations to a minimum and simply enjoy their company on the rides.  Ciao. Check out D&K - Vacciano, Impruneta, Luiano, San Casciano, Chiesa Nuova, Firenze on Strava.com! It's a 53.1 km ride I did on Sunday, April 27, 2014. A fun picture of Don taking a picture of me, taking  a picture of him, on the way to Vacciano. A little shrine in Vacciano, next to the water fountain. I love the look of this church in Vacciano. Kay finishing the climb above Vacciano. Don, finishing the same climb.