Great FBB Chianti tour with a nice couple from Alaska.

Florence by Bike Chianti tour today, and I met a nice couple from Alaska at the shop at 9:00 this morning.  Another couple was booked, but cancelled at the last minute, so it was basically a private tour.  Fine by me, and an easier day of work.  The weather forecast was pretty bad, and it was quite cloudy this morning, with the forecast calling for 90% chance of heavy thundershowers.  Well, we had a nice tour, and excellent lunch, and did not get a drop of rain.  Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't.  Anyway, no rain until right about now as I write this in the comfort of the apartment.

We did the standard route to Monteoriolo, then continued on to Impruneta, as we were much faster than the normal FBB group, as they were both strong riders.  We hung out in Impruneta, and both Emily and Mark (their names and yes, the do match mine and my wife's) enjoyed a big market set up in the town square.  I basically sat with the bikes and enjoyed the people watching.  We then went back to Villa Riboia and had a really nice lunch at the family's villa there.  Good food, and very nice people.  Afterward, I gave Mark and Emily three options for our return and they choose the middle option, both in length and difficulty.  We went back to Impruneta, then continued toward Strada, turning on the road to descend to Grassina through Ugolino.  Nice descent and they were both smiling and whooping as we descended.  From Grassina, the back route to Piazza Ferrucci, then through the Centro to the shop to finish the day.  Here is the garmin link:

FBB Chianti tour with Alaskan couple by ridingwithcosimo at Garmin Connect - Details

Mark on the climb to Monte Oriolo.

Emily on the climb to Monte Oriolo.

We are on our way down after a wonderful lunch at Villa

Riboia.  Over the head / behind me photo.