Don and Kay's last ride this visit - Strada Sette Ponte.

Don and Kay's last day today, and we had a wonderful ride.  Everyone was up pretty early and we were off and moving early, for this group.  We were on the road around 9:45.  I think yesterday's rain had them motivated to get going before the weather changed today.  Anyway, up and moving and out my favorite route to Castelfranco, using Via Carota to Osteria Nuova then San Donato in Collina.  Water in San Donato, then a great descent to the turn off to the bridge across the Arno.  Across the Arno, then out the main road past the outlet malls to Matissino, then up to Castelfranco.  Kay was wanting a cafe there, so we found a good spot, which is nice to have in my memory bank now.  Good cafe machiato, good pastries, nice tables outside, what more could you want. The strada sette ponte starts in Castelfranco on this route, and we all enjoyed it enormously.  I let them get ahead as to not lead on this perfect road, and to give me room to ride as fast as I wanted.  It all worked.  At the turn to Saltino, we had a small conference, and decided to forgo the climb to Saltino and Vallombrosa, and go to Donnini and Tosi instead.  A good choice, as the clouds were dark that direction, and they needed to be back at a reasonable time to pack up the bikes, etc.  We truly enjoyed the remainder of our ride, and I took us on a small detour as we were almost back to the apartment to a gelateria in Le Cure.  They are huge gelato fans, and going to many different gelaterias that I know are good is a good thing.  Great day and great ride guys.  Hope you are back next April.  Ciao. Check out Via Carota, San Donato, Matassino, Castelfranco di Sopra, Regello, Tosi, Pontasieve, Firenze on Strava.com! It's a 107.0 km ride I did on Thursday, May 1, 2014. Don and Kay on Via Carota.  I am surprised it came out so  well, as I was turning around while riding on this tiny road and trying to stay on the road. The gate structure at the entrance to the old city of Castelfranco di Sopra. A picture of our happy visitors at the gate structure  at the entrance to the old city of Castelfranco di Sopra. Don and Kay starting the wonderful ride on Strada Sette Ponte.