Day 5 with Tina and Nate - Dudda, La Panca, San Polo.

Today was my last day guiding Tina and Nate, and it has been a great 5 days.  They are both strong athletes and riders, and only got stronger riding as the week went on.  We went out through Ponte a Ema then up Via Carota to Osteria Nuova, then up to San Donato in Collina.  Tina is now a very competent descender, and actually enjoyed the descent to Le Valli where we stopped for cafe and pastries.  Very good for both espresso and pastries.  We continued the descent with a couple of uphills to Incisa where we refilled water.  From Incisa, it is on the main road to the turn off in Figline, then the start of the climb to Dudda.  I had mentioned last night that Sting's villa is on this road and they are both big fans.  They goggled to find more information about the location, etc., and it appears that he has a main villa with a number of "guest houses".  I was basically correct on the houses I had guessed were his.  I only thought one belonged to him, but the property is quite large and there are a number of structures.

We continued up past Dudda to the turn of to the short descent, then climb to La Panca.  We got more water there, then enjoyed the excellent descent toward Strada.  I kind of thought this descent would be a good reward for the work Tina had done this week learning to be happy and confident descending.  She loved it!  We continued the descent toward San Polo, then climbed to the town and had a cafe - excellent.  A short retracing of the route, then up to the little pass between San Polo and Grassina, then a very fast descent.  We returned through Cinque Vie, and were home riding the Viales.  The garmin information is a little short, as for some reason, it lost the time and mileage between La Panca and the start of the climb to San Polo, I think around 10 to 15 kilometers.

Great 5 days of riding, Nate and Tina.  I enjoyed meeting and riding with you both.  Thanks for "Riding with Cosimo"

Last day with Nate and Tina - Figline, La Panca, San Polo, Firenze by ridingwithcosimo at Garmin Connect - Details

Over the head shot on the climb to San Donato in Collina.

At the gates of one of Sting's houses between Figline and Dudda.

Climbing toward Dudda.

At the water fountain in La Panca.

A posed picture at the top of the little pass between 

San Polo and Grassina.

A scenic shot between San Polo and Grassina - Che Bella!