Hills and rain close to home, but a great ride!

After my return from Denver, I took a ride in very nice weather the afternoon I returned.  I was quite jet lagged, but wanted to ride anyway, but the jet lag had me less aware of everything than normal.  Well, it has been raining since, but yesterday morning it let up for a while, but started again.  I was determined to go this morning, as I do not have Italian classes on Friday, but a steady rain started to fall around 9 am.  I decided to go out anyway - I have the gear to keep me dry and warm in most conditions.  I did not really suit up for cold as much as wet, as I knew I would be doing some climbing, and the temperature was around 50, not too cold.

I took off in a steady rain, but after a 1/2 hour or so, it let up, then stopped.  At that time, I had ridden out the back road to San Domenico, up, then down through Maiano, down to San Martino, the up past Vincigliata to the bigger road.  With the rain gone (at least for a while), I decided to add to my plan and turned right and descended through Montebeni to Compiobbi, where I hooked up with the main road by the Arno, and headed up stream a few kilometers to Le Falle, where you can connect with the Monteloro road.  I climbed up through Monteloro to the Fiesole / L'Olmo road, and descended to Fiesole, then took the right turn to descend to Pian de Mugnone, then hooked up with Via Faentina, and returned home via Piazza Della Cure.  Check the link for all the specifics, but it turned out to be a really fun ride with around 4300 vertical feet climbed in a total of 27 miles in 2 hours 25 minutes, averaging 11.2 mph.  A little slow, but I was super careful on the descents with the wet, steep roads.  Ciao!

I am a much happier person when I can get a good ride in - yeah!  (I did not take the camera, but I did the almost identical ride on November 14, so I have a couple of pictures from that ride.  Same scenery, but it looked really different today with heavy, dark cloud cover.  Still beautiful, though.)

Hills and rain close to home, but great! by ridingwithcosimo at Garmin Connect - Details

The road from Le Falle toward Monteloro.  From a different day.

Some vineyards to the side of the road above Monteloro.

A quick couple of hours to try to clear out the jet lag.

I am back from my trip to Denver to be with my Mother, who does not appear to have that much time left with us.  It was certainly a difficult trip, but I am very happy that I took the time to be with her and more or less say goodbye before the end.  She certainly could hold out longer, but her quality of life is pretty low now, and she is totally discouraged.  I don't blame her, and I would not be surprised if she goes sometime after Christmas.  I am hoping to have a week after a phone call, but you never know with something like this, so it was great to have the week plus with her.

So, back after the requisite 20 hours or so of travel, unpacked, then motivated for a ride.  The weather was pretty perfect, and is predicted to go down hill the remainder of the week.  I took off on the viales to the Poggio Imperiale climb, then down to Galluzzo.  From there, I took the Cinque Vie route around the outskirts of town to the town of Cinque Vie, where I went over to a climb through Vacciano to San Gersole.  I had climbed this once before, and it is a great climb with almost no traffic, just the way I like it.  After San Gersole, you connect to the road to Impruneta, where I climbed to the turn off to Baruffi, and enjoyed the wonderful descent down to Tavernuzze.  From Tavernuzze, I took the main roads in to town, descending on the super fun curves to Porta Romana, then through the city to the apartment.  As always, click the link for all the information, but the summary is:  22 miles in 1:44  rolling time, with 1530 vertical feet of climbing at an overall average of 12.6 mph.

A quick couple of hours to try to clear out the jet lag. by ridingwithcosimo at Garmin Connect - Details

My mother with Emily and Ben at breakfast on Saturday.

An amazing sunset on the high plains northeast of Denver.

Back in Tuscany, with a villa and a pretty line of trees on the ridge above San Gersole.

The vineyards have lost most of their leaves.  This is 

on the climb to San Gersole.

Quick ride before my Denver trip - perfect!

I decided not to go out with the team this morning, as I was tired and had too much to do today anyway.  I had a nice slow start to the morning, my big "American" breakfast, then met Kate and the kids to spend some time together before I left.  We had a great morning, meeting on bikes (Kate with the two kids in kid seats) and took a short ride to three linked parks nearby.  We walked quickly through the first park, then found the playground in the middle park and spent a fair amount of time there.  Then we went to the last park, the giardino at the Museuo Stibbert, and had a wonderful time strolling and finding mysterious, fun corners to explore with the kids.  Viola role played with a "baby" and Torrio found a stick and whacked at whatever he could.  I encourage the stick and picked one up myself to whack some things.  We had a nice time, and then returned to the apartment to get some lunch for the kids.  We (Kate and I) had originally thought she would just ride them home, but the kids protested and we had a fun time doing lunch and playing with everything we had that was playable.

Emily had gone to the Villa that New York University has just outside of town for a presentation / panel discussion on Campaign finance and super PACs, and she returned just after Kate and the kids left.  Emily is babysitting tonight, and I need to leave the apartment at 5 am tomorrow, so we took some time and had a nice lunch together.  It was a beautiful day, and we enjoyed strolling, riding the bus, and having a great lunch at a restaurant on the Piazza Santa Croce.

Upon returning home, I suited up to get a ride in and did one of my favorite short rides.  I do not like to be out much past 4:30 these days, as it is getting dark then and there is a lot of traffic to ride in / through when you return to the city.  I rode up Via Bolognese, turned left at Pian de San Bartolo, cruised over to Cercina, finished the climb to the church above Cercina, then took the route down I have been climbing on loops recently.  Super fun.  I took the sharp left to come in to town right above the Carriege complex, then took the turn off for the cut off to Via Bolognese, then turned off this to come in a Piazza Giorgini, then took my new way home on quiet roads.  The link has maps and specifics, but the summary is:  13.6 miles in 1:07 rolling time for an average speed of 12.2 with 1430 vertical feet of climbing.

I will be in Denver for a week, helping my Mother who may be home from the hospital by then.  Her health is deteriorating rapidly, and I saw this as a chance to spend some time (perhaps my last chance) with her and help out.  If she does go in the next few months, it could happen quickly, and I am a minimum of 30 hours away.  So, most likely no new posts for a while, although one may find its way in here while I am in Denver.  A Dopo! (until later)

Quick ride before my Denver trip - perfect! by ridingwithcosimo at Garmin Connect - Details

Viola and Vittorio cue up on the slide.

Kate and the two kids in a large "bowl" swing.

Viola works on her pretend garden while Vittorio hits everything with his stick.

I really liked the leaves on this tree and took a shot up at the sky.

At the apartment Viola decided to try on my reading glasses.  

Viola, wait until you need them, but for now you are incredibly cute!

Lots of climbing on a quick ride to flush emotions - beautiful day again.

Last night we had some bad news.  My Mother was taken to the hospital by ambulance for the second time in as many weeks.  It appears she will be ok, but the writing is on the wall.  I have not thought she had that much longer with us, but was measuring that time in years, which still may be true.  I am now thinking that it may be a few months, so with the first communications from Denver suggesting that she may not come out of the hospital if she went in again, Emily and I discussed a number of things.  If it was truly time for the end I needed to be on a plane today or tomorrow.  As I said, it appears better now, after getting a call for information at 3 am our time.  I booked a flight for Sunday and will probably use it unless she is feeling super good when we talk tonight our time.  I am just thinking they could use help now, and there may not be too many more opportunities to spend time together.

So, I was relatively down this morning with the decision making, booking flights, getting information on costs to cancel in the next 24 hours if that is what happens, etc.  For me, it is always good to get some exercise in to clear my head an move forward in a good frame of presence.  I thought the maximum climbing in the shortest distance would do the trick, and it did.  I rode up Via Bolognese to Pratolino, then up to the junction for Bivigliano, Olmo, or Montescenario.  I sort of stayed straight and the road kicked up to around 15% for 100 vertical meters of climbing.  This will clear everything out.  I stayed with it and there are two more 15% to 18% pieces of the climb before you turn off for the spur road that actually goes to the 15th century Monastery of Montescenario, which is still in operation.  This road is a steady 12%, and before you know it you are at the top.

I took some time there, had a snack, enjoyed the views which are really 360 degree views, and took some photos for the blog post.  The descent is a gas, and quite quick.  After the spur road, I take a different route down to Bivigliano, then the slightly descending, contouring road across to the junction with the road to Olmo, then down through Caldine, Pian de Mugnone, and back to Firenze and home.  The weather was perfect again, climbing in light tights and a long sleeved jersey.  At the top I added my Gore tex rain shell, long fingered gloves (Gore windstopper), and a skull cap, which was great for the descent back into Firenze.  I have a ride with the team / club tomorrow morning, then I am off for a week in Denver on Sunday.  Check the link for all the specifics, but the summary is:  23.6 miles in 1:52 rolling time for an average of 12.6 with 2850 vertical feet of climbing.  Ciao.

Lots of climbing on a quick ride to flush emotions - beautiful day again. by ridingwithcosimo at Garmin Connect - Details

The road is beautiful but steep on the way to Monte Scenario.

Around 250 vertical meters of climbing left to the Monastery on top in the distance.

A view of the back side of the Monastery at Monte Scenario.

Part of the east side of the complex.

The staircase to the main entrance and the chapel at the monastery.

The view to the west from Monte Scenario.

Beautiful day, a couple of climbs, perfect day.

I finished my first week of Italian classes with a test this morning, and I believe I did well.  The test was a little strange, as it covered material that we are supposed to learn during the next 4 to 5 weeks.  Maybe it is a benchmark for them, but it was relatively difficult.  I covered around 2/3 of the material we will cover last year, so most of what I had done came back for me in the test.  It will be great for me to review all this, and it will be a chance to really set it in my mind so I can use it without thinking too much.  After class, I returned home and did some house chores, changing summer and winter stuff in my amoire with a storage box below the bed.  After that, I decided what I would wear and set off for a ride.

It is a little difficult deciding what to wear these days, as it is quite warm sitting in the sun, but the ambient temperature is in the mid 50's and when moving on a bike, it feels cooler.  I started with long fingered gloves and a skull cap, but changed out of them in the middle of my first climb.  I put them back on for the final descent, so I guess it worked well.  No need for the thermal booties or puffball vest or coat yet.  I rode out of town on the viales, and took the route through Bagno a Ripoli, climbing through Osteria Nuova and topping out at San Donato in Collina.  I love that climb, it is relatively friendly grade-wise, and it continues for a long way with pretty beautiful views.  The descent through Troghi, Cellai, Pallazzuolo, into Incisa is another favorite and it did not disappoint today.  Yippee!   At Figline, I turned on the road to Greve and made the climb up around 90% to the passo de sugame, where I turn of toward La Panca, and continue climbing to the little town.

This climb is really sweet, nothing puts you in need of the easiest gear, and much can be done 4 or 5 gears up.  Amazing weather, and mid 50's is perfect for climbing.  The descent from La Panca to Strada is really quite special, and I think I only touched my brakes around 4 times in 11 kilometers.  You have a short climb into Strada, and then continue along a ridge the drop into Grassina.  At Grassina, you take the tiny road to Cinque Vie, and then you are almost back to the Viales.  I went home a slightly different way today, over Ponte alla Grazie, then around the Duomo, and home.  I had received two calls after Strada, one asking for help with some babysitting from Kate, and another when I was almost there saying she did not need help.  As always, click the link for specifics, but the summary is:  45 miles in 3:16 rolling time for an average of 13.6 mph with 3400 vertical feet of climbing.

Beautiful day, a couple of climbs, perfect day. by ridingwithcosimo at Garmin Connect - Details

The beautiful view from the climb to Dudda from Figline.

Part of the amazing climb to Dudda.  Magnificent.

Almost to the end of the climbing with La Panca just around the corner.

3 climbs, 3 descents on a beautiful fall afternoon

I had Italian class this morning, and it seems to be going well.  Their method obviously is based on not speaking any other language than Italian, and although at times it seems awkward, it seems to work for me.  We are reviewing reflexive verbs and pronouns, which I did last year with another school, but today feels like it cemented it in my mind.  After returning home, I did a few necessary errands.  I waited in line at the post office to pay a bill that does not want to work on line.  The post office is where you pay your common bills here, like utilities.  I picked up a new jersey for the fall from the team at the incredible price of 20 euros.  I spoke with the president of the team, and he said the cost is 33, but the sponsor shop pays some and our membership fees brings it down to 20.  Sweet.  I picked up a weeks worth of vino at the vino sfuso shop, and picked up a few needed groceries.  That left me leaving around 1:45 for my ride, and I had a plan that worked time wise.  It is getting dark here around 5 and I am shooting for being home by 4:30 to be safe.

I rode out my new normal route to San Domenico, then up the Fiesole road to turn toward Maiano, then down to the Church at San Martino.  Here it goes up pretty steeply through Vincigliata to the road that I turned right on to descend into Compiobbi.  This is a sweet, but steep and very swithback filled road, and I have to keep telling myself to pay attention and not let it go too fast.  From Compiobbi, I ride up the real main road to Le Falle, where you turn left and do the climb through Monteloro to the Fiesole / Olmo road, where I turned left and descended through Fiesole and turned off on a new route at San Domenico.  I had seen the road on a couple of maps and wanted to try it.  I think at one point there were two options, and I choose left, which was the less travelled road.  It was sweet, but at the bottom it was pretty steep.  The other road came in just below on the way to Piazza Della Cure.  I will have to try that later, and both seem to be good climbing options as well.  From Piazza Della Cure, it is a quick push home, and I was done.  Last night was super late for me, as we went to the late show of the new James Bond movie and I was not in bed until almost 2.  Anyway, I was home, but tired and a nap awaited.  The summary is 26 miles with an incredible 4150 vertical feet of climbing, in 2 hours 21 minutes of rolling time, giving an average speed of 11.2 mph.  Check the link for more information.

As a note, I have decided to include more personal information in the blog, as different sources have suggested this as a good way to go.  It appears I have a number of readers now, so maybe it is working.  If it is not welcome, please comment and I can go back to my description of rides only.  Ciao.

3 climbs, 3 descents on a beautiful fall afternoon by ridingwithcosimo at Garmin Connect - Details

What a perfect afternoon for a climb on a road bike in a wonderful setting.  

Monteloro is only 8 kilometers away.  

A couple of kilometers past Monteloro, there are many vineyards and villas.  Perfect.

More ups and downs close to home - stormy day

I started my new language classes this morning, after showing up yesterday to have an exam to place me level wise.  I am a little advanced for level 2, but would probably be lost in level 3, so I started level 2 this morning.  The class seems great.  There are 7 students and one teacher, and the next oldest is 30, so I have a little seniority.  Everyone seems nice and many nationalities are represented in the class - Japan, Australia, Denmark, Kazakhstan, and the US.  I am certainly glad I did not try level 3 as it was difficult enough to stay with everything the teacher was saying.  There is no English at all in the class, which is good for me.  It appears that much of what we will cover is review, I don't really remember the material in a way that I can use it as second nature.  I think it will be great.

After class, I met Emily at home after some errands, and we went to lunch at a place where the husband of a good friend of Kate's cooks a couple of times a year - real Southern Fried Chicken.  It was really good, but the cuts were Italian, so a combination of cultures.

I thought it might clear, but no, so I took off to ride close to home on some favorite climbs.  Since I discovered the 2 or 3 new routes around Cercina, it has opened up a lot of riding right here.  I climbed up Via Bolognese to Pian de San Bartolo, then contoured over to Cercina, then up to the Chiesa above Cercina, then descending on the far right option to Firenze.  It is just a block left, then you are climbing back up to the Chiesa on the "main" route from Cercina.  At the church, I kept straight and retraced my riding back to a ridge closer to Via Bolognese, turning right there and descending back to Firenze.  I am using the back way into town above Carriege, then turning off to have a little additional climbing on basically back roads almost straight home.  It is fun.  It was quite dark today and even with my yellow lenses, it was dark.  The summary is 21.2 miles in 1 hour 53 minutes rolling time for an 11.2 mph average with around 2500 vertical feet of climbing.  Check the link below for more information.  Ciao!

More ups and downs close to home - stormy day by ridingwithcosimo at Garmin Connect - Details

Looking back toward Cercina - yes it really was that dark out.  

The final descent is on the ridge above to the left.