First ride on the new bike - Yabba Dabba Doo!

After class yesterday, I picked up the bike.  An hour or so of miscellaneous, registration, manuals, etc., and I was on my way home with a sexy new machine.  I am so excited.  I had some things to transfer from the old bike, getting suited up, etc., then I was finally off on the Willier.  Well, the old bike was around 14 years old, with updates around 6 years ago, but they have certainly made some improvements in the meantime.  I was expecting the old titanium frame to perhaps be more comfortable, but no, the new frame and set up - it is made for long rides and some comfort - was just super.  The Shimano Di2 Ultegra was basically flawless.  It is easy to use, just a tap on the lever / switch, and the gear is changed.  The front derailleur automatically trims based on the rear cassette position.  Really, flawless.  I have been on Campy for the last 14 years, both bikes, and having the quiet of the Shimano gruppo is really nice.  I liked the new bars, in particular the position it puts you in when you are in the drops, and the brake lever is right there, no reach needed with the finger.  As you can tell, I am totally stoked.

I rode up Via Bolognese to Pratolino, which has a steep section at 10 to 15% for around 400 vertical, and I do miss my 29, as the highest they had was a 28, and there is a difference.  It still climbed really well, and I will just have to be a little stronger.  From Pratolino, I climbed to the junction for Monte Scenario / Bivigliano / L'Olmo, and turned off toward L'Olmo.  I hooked up with the road to Fiesole, then rode down through Fiesole and took one of the back ways from San Domenico to Piazza della Cure.  The bike handled really well on the descent, and I carried a fair amount of speed without even realizing it.  Enough gushing - It is rainy today, and predicted to be the same for a couple of days, so this may be the only post for a while, we will see what the weather does.  The summary is:  18.8 miles in 1:29 rolling time for an average speed of 12.6 mph, with 2150 vertical feet climbed at an average temperature of 53.  Nice weather, sweet ride, super fun new bike.  The garmin link is:

First ride with new bike - comfortable, responsive, perfect. by ridingwithcosimo at Garmin Connect - Details

In the apartment pre-ride.

View toward L'Olmo from the junction.

The road toward San Jacopino.

Just had to take a shot of the bike by this wall.

Fun Sunday afternoon ride, great weather.

After a nice, slow start to the day, I did a fair amount of paperwork / errands, mostly for the resolution of my Mother's estate.  Small things do take some time from Italy, but, Skype is my savior, as it is basically like having a phone in the US to use.  So, I was off around 12:30 for a ride to the South, which when I am doing shorter rides, I tend to ignore.  So, I had not been over here for a little while, and rode out through Piazzale Michaelangelo on the Viale to the Poggio Imperiale climb.  From Poggio Imperiale, I went up / down to Galluzzo, then over toward the start of the Pozzolatico climb, but turned off on the small road to Cinque Vie before the climb started.  This is a nice road, basically flat, small and not very busy.  At Cinque Vie, I cut under the highway, then started the back road climb to San Gersole, through Vacciano.  I love this climb.  I almost never see any cars, and with a couple of stretches at around 12%, it is hard, but not too hard.

From San Gersole, I went over to the Pozzolatico / Impruneta road, and finished the climb to Impruneta.  Nice, relatively easy climb.  I rode through Impruneta and turned off for Ferrone.  The sign is totally hard to see, but I remembered the piazza where the turn is.  I took this road, and ended up on a different spur than the last time I took this route.  Actually, the road was much more major than the alternate way, but is pretty darn steep, fine for a descent.  I ended up just on the North side of Ferrone and had a couple of kilometers to ride back toward Tavernuzze to get to my next turn.  I turned to climb up past Luiano to the Metcatale / San Casciano road.  I road up and over to San Casciano, then through Spedellatto, Chiesa Nuova, then down the sweet switchbacks to Galluzzo.  On the descent, I had perfect timing, as I caught a car at the end of the last turn when the car speeded up and did not make me slow down.  

From Galluzzo I rode back in the main route taking the great, curvy route from Poggio Imperiale to Porta Romano.  You can get it going pretty fast by pedalling hard at the start, then the curves are so well engineered that you don't need to adjust in the curves or touch the brakes, just rocket down the road.  From Porta Romano home through the city center and Piazza de Duomo.  Lots of fun, but surprisingly tiring.  The summary is:  37 miles in 2:54 rolling time for an average speed of 12.7 mph, with 2670 vertical feet climbed at an average temperature of 49 degrees F.  The garmin link is:

Medium Sunday ride, lots of fun! by ridingwithcosimo at Garmin Connect - Details

Here are a couple of shots of the tiny town of Vacciano, on one of my climbs today.

I could not decide which was better, so included them both.  

Beautiful, cold morning ride with the team.

Hooray, the weather has really cleared, and it appears the long range forecast is for mostly clear with a few rainy days here and there.  Lately it has been the opposite, mostly rainy, with some occasional clearing.  Being a Colorado boy really tempers your expectations for sunny skies.  I really "need" them and miss them when it cloudy for a week or so.  Anyway, met the squadra at Illiopesca, only 4 of us there, but enough for a good group ride.  One of the riders, Andrea, was a fair amount slower than I, which helped keep the pace a little slower than normal, which was really nice.  A couple of times on the road out to Montelupo a group of 4 to 12 would pass us, and we would up the pace to hang with them until Andrea could no longer hang, and we would let the group drop us.  

We rode the typical back way to Lastra a Signa, then along the river road to Montelupo.  From Montelupo, we took the road over through Sammonata, Villanuova, and turned on the main road at Pozzole toward Castelfiorentino.  Both of these roads are beautiful, classic Tuscan roads, one contouring with almost no up hills, and the road toward Castelfiorentino in a valley with a very gradual climb.  The climb kicks up to get to Ortimo, where we take the climb to Montespertoli.  This is a great ridge / climb with good views in both directions off the ridge.  The wind did pick up here - just a minor annoyance.  From Montespertoli, we descend to Bacciano, then climb to Montagnana, descend to Cerbia, then climb to Chiesa Nuova.  From Chiesa Nuova, we take the main route to a turn to Scandicci, then in town roads back to the house.  

How nice it was to be riding in the sun again.  The link is below, but the summary is:  50.3 miles in 3:27 rolling time, for an average speed of 14.6 mph, 2250 vertical feet climbed, an average temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit.  Sweet to be back riding with the team.  Ciao.

Winter ride con squadra by ridingwithcosimo at Garmin Connect - Details

With the pace modified for Andrea, I was able to take a couple of photos on the climb to Montagana.  What a beautiful day, awesome roads, beautiful countryside.   Che Bella.

Fitted for the new bike, quick ride in the PM

I had a pretty busy day today, considering I did not have Italian class, and only found time for a short ride.  I did spend an hour at the shop, and got the fit measurements for the new bike, pictured below.  It looks prettier in person.  Another hour and one half grocery shopping (including riding the townie to and fro), and a few hours at the end of the day with Emily babysitting the grandchildren.  

I rode a standard, out Via Faentina, through Piazza della Cure, up the back way to San Domenico, up to the turn off for Maiano, then descending through Maiano to San Martino .  From San Martino, I climbed one of my favorites through Vincigliata to the Fiesole / Compiobbi road.  Over to Fiesole, then turned off to descend to Pian de Mugnone, then returned home on Via Faentina.  It is a really sweet ride, the climbs are quite deserted, and it is full of tiny twisty roads.  Part of the descent to Pian de Mugnone will be climbed on every lap of the World Championships in late September.  

Summary is:  14.2 miles, in a rolling time of 1:14, for an average speed of 11.7 mph, with 1650 vertical of climbing at an average temperature of 45 F.  Click the link for more information if desired.  Ciao.

Another quickie, but fun, plenty of climbing by ridingwithcosimo at Garmin Connect - Details

That is the new bike, with the person fitting me, Andrea.  

I will pick it up on Tuesday after Italian class ready to go.  Can't wait.

Late afternoon quick ride

After class today, I did some errands, then hooked up with Emily and some friends for a nice lunch at a new place for me that has a rabbit special on Thursdays.  Very good.  After lunch, we returned to the apartment, then I finished my list of things to get done today, and suited up for a ride.  I rode a favorite, which typifies the incredible riding I am lucky enough to access right from home.  I rode up Via Bolognese, turned off at Pian de San Bartolo, contoured up and over to Cercina, then up to the church above Cercina, then descended down to the Carriege area, then took the back way toward Via Bolognese, then home.  13.7 miles in 1:14 rolling time, for an average of 11.1 mph, with 1450 vertical feet climbed at an average temperature of 45 or so.  Super fun, curvy roads ranging from relatively busy (Via Bolognese) to basically abandoned (after the turn off at San Bartolo).  

Tuesday afternoon, I made a decision on a new ride.  I received advise from a few bike industry friends in the States, and looked a 5 shops here.  After all is said and done, I decided to go with a top model Willier Gran Turismo, with a Shimano Ultegra Di2 gruppo.  I am super excited, but it will be a few days before I am riding it.  I go by the shop tomorrow to get fitted, possibly change cranks and bars with what is currently on my lightspeed.  As soon as I have it, I will post a picture.  Carbon Fibre allows the fabrication of some super sexy frames.  I am totally looking forward to using the new electronic shifters from Shimano, although these are second generation and should have the kinks figured out.  

Yesterday, I spent the day greeting students for a company here called Study Abroad Italy, that sets up programs for students.  I met around 20 different students all over town, riding my townie bike, to give them welcome packets, keys, and basic explanations of Firenze.  This is the 4th time I have done this, and aside from a little welcome cash, it is really fun to meet the young students, and enjoy the enthusiasm of a 20 year old.  Wow!

Here is the garmin link for anyone interested.

Fast late afternoon ride - perhaps some clear weather soon. by ridingwithcosimo at Garmin Connect - Details

I turned the corner, and the color of the sky struck me as worthy of a photo.

Hope you agree.

Basically the same spot, zoomed in and light adjusted.  Che Bello!

Nice ride to Pratolino, L'Olmo, back home.

After class today, I stopped by the shop to inquire into what they have to recommend or sell for bikes, and again, the person I needed to talk with had just left.  Oh well, two for two.  I will try later, and I am in no hurry.  From the shop, I rode back by the apartment, then climbed Via Bolognese all the way up to Pratolino, where I turned off to climb to the junction that goes over to L'Olmo, which I took.  From there, I took the right that takes you down through Caldine and Pian de Mugnone back to Firenze via Piazza della Cure.  The weather was definitely warmer, and I even had a little sun.  The forecast is for better weather, but rain seems to pop up most days.  We shall see.  Good ride today, the summary is:  19 miles, with 1990 vertical feet of climbing, in 1:38 rolling time, for an average speed of 11.5 mph, at an average temperature of 52.  The garmin link is:

Warmer, clearing skies, quick, fun ride. by ridingwithcosimo at Garmin Connect - Details

This line of trees frames a gate at my resting / changing spot.

Looking East toward Fiesole from my break spot.

Looking North from my break spot, that is Monte Scenario in the distance.

A long, rainy walk around the city.

Well, the weather predictions came true today, and it has been rainy pretty much the whole day.  My original plan was to ride with the team, but when I got up, I just did not feel like it.  I went with my feelings, and a good thing, by 9:15 it was raining steadily, and I needed to leave around 9.  Emily and I went into town to meet a friend of hers on the Ponte Vecchio.  We were early, she was late, and we had some time to enjoy the ambiance of the old bridge.  After she arrived, we walked to a biological (Organic) fair in Piazza Santo Spirito.  It was nice, and Emily stayed with her friend, and I went for a planned 2 hour walk.  

I started out toward the Viales on the west / south side of town, but the entry to the Boboli gardens beckoned.  We have "friend of the Uffici" cards, which gives us free admission, so I started my walk through the old Medici gardens.  It was really beautiful, wet, not raining much, and foggy.  All the pictures are from the walk in the garden.  I walked to the top of the gardens, then over to the exit by the Forte Belvedere.  From there I walked over to the Viale Michelangelo, then stayed on the beautiful path beside the road all the way around to Piazza Ferrucci.  From there, I walked along the Arno to Ponte alla Grazie, then up to Piazza Sant'Annunciata, then to Piazza San Marco, then home.  Around a 2 1/2 hour walk at a good pace, so I would assume around 7 miles.  Really nice for a change.  Hopefully back on the bike tomorrow, but we shall see what the weather brings.  

One of the beautiful paths through the trees in the Boboli gardens.

Around the corner, an opening and a modern sculpture.

Another winding path through the trees.

A side path with the trees connected to provide an enclosed walk.