Consuma, Vallombrosa con squadra.

We met at 7:30 for an early start, and were off by 7:45, after waiting for a person who was running late.  We stayed together pretty good out to Pontasieve, with many discussions about which of the 3 possibilities to climb to Vallombrosa, our objective for the ride.  My favorite is from San Ellero, through Donnini, to Tosi, then Vallombrosa, but it is the hardest of the 3, and people were looking for the easiest.  Going up to Passo della Consuma was decided upon, although I did not know that for sure until we were at the turn point, as the whole conversation was in Italian, and I could mostly understand, but as it went on, I tuned out.  We had a nice ride up Consuma.  Davide, Jean Lu, and I stayed together for the first 1/3 of the climb, then Davide and I stayed together for another 1/3, then Davide dropped me as well.  Davide was waiting at the turn to Vallombrosa, and I joined him there.  We waited around 15 minutes for Jean Lu, then another 15 for the rest, then we all continued up to the pass.

Pictures, a cafe and snacks, and we were off to Vallombrosa.  I really like the road over to Vallombrosa, but it is not good pavement, but as a former mountain biker, I don't have any problem with it.  Behind me, one of the team had a flat, so as I waited in Vallombrosa, I turned around to see what happened, and caught them around 5 kilometers behind me.   More water in Vallombrosa, then the awesome descent to Tosi, then continuing to Pelago, where the descent is interrupted with a short climb, then finishing the descent to Pontasieve.  We detoured over to Rosano to return to Firenze on a different road.  Really fun morning and great ride, team.  Ciao a tutti.

Consuma, Vallombrosa, Tosi, Pelago con squadra by ridingwithcosimo at Garmin Connect - Details

A couple of pictures of the awesome views on the way up

Passo della Consuma.  Wow, what a beautiful morning.

Vineyards, long views, mountains in the distance - what 

more could one ask for?

Davide, Jean Lu, and Margherita at Passo della Consuma.

The squadra, minus me, the photographer, at Passo della Consuma.

On the road over to Vallombrosa, there is this very tasty and

pretty water source.  Che Bella!