Nice Saturday ride - three favorite climbs included.

Today was mostly a relaxing day with our only commitment a party tonight.  I slept in, had my big American breakfast, went to the wine store for Sfuzo, then returned to suit up.  It was surprisingly warm out, and I did not overdress.  As I started, I realized my planned route included starting where I will ride with the team tomorrow, so I changed the starting plan.  I went up to San Domenico, then up to the turn for Maiano, then climbed past Vincigliata.  The first of three of my favorite climbs included in today's ride.  At the top, I turned right and enjoyed the fast descent to Compiobbi.  The roads were dry today, and the bike felt stable, so I let it go a bit.  From Compiobbi, I went out on the main road around 4 kilometers to the turn off at the east end of Sieci to climb to the windmill.

This is another of my favorite climbs.  I had not planned either of these first two when I left, but enjoyed my altered route.  At the windmill, I descended to Rufina, then started the third of my favorite climbs, the one I had in mind when I started, the climb to Diacetto.  It did not disappoint, and I enjoyed the effort of this 400 meter vertical climb.  In Diacetto, I put on my light shell, which I had done for the Rufina descent as well, as it was a little chilly when going fast.  I descended to Pelago, stopped for a cafe and a slice of pizza, then continued the descent to Pontesieve.  From Pontesieve, it is simply a power ride into Florence.

Around 1/3 the way in, I got a call from Emily, and someone had stolen her wallet.  What a bummer.  So, after returning home, I skyped all the credit card people, etc. and we are now ok with that.  She will have a difficult time with the Italian bureaucracy to replace her permesso, resident card, and the bus pass, but no one can take anything with those.  It is a drag, but things happen and there is nothing she could have done, with the exception of holding her wallet all the time, which is a place of paranoia where I do not want to go.  Anyway, I enjoyed the ride, and we are off to what should be a fun party tonight.  42.2 miles in 3:12 rolling time for an average speed of 13.1 mph with 4327 vertical feet climbed at an average temperature of 48.  Lovely.

Maiano, Vincigliata, Compiobbi, MolinodeVento, Rufina, Diacetto, Pelago, Fi by ridingwithcosimo at Garmin Connect - Details

This is the start of the climb from Sieci to Molino de Vento, 

one of my many favorite climbs.

A little farther up the climb from Sieci, this view opens up.

On the climb from Rufina to Diacetto, this pretty, tiny road

is really fun, another one of my favorite climbs.

About 2/3 the way to Diacetto from Rufina is this super cool

water source.  The date appears to be 1395, pretty old.

A nice sinuous descent awaits from the top of the climb to Diacetto.

Viola's birthday party and a ride the next day.

Yesterday was a pretty busy, wild day.  I had class in the morning, which was followed by a couple of errands on the way home.  I was contacted immediately to help with preparations for Viola's birthday party.  I was on my townie bike going to Colle Berretto, a local restaurant that had a room upstairs that was the location for the party.  I helped a little up there and was sent off on more errands.  The first was the most fun, picking up 40 balloons for the party.  The place was around 3 to 4 kilometers away from the party spot, and I decided that I could tie them to my pack and ride the townie bike back.  It worked really well, but I definitely got some interesting looks and a few calls.  Then walking to pick up the cake, and I treated myself to a sandwich while picking up the cake.  I dropped the cake, returned home, and got ready for the party.  I packed my clothes for the next party as well, as I would be going from Viola's birthday party to the team annual meeting and dinner party.

Viola's party was a gas.  A pajama party, many of the adults and all the kids were decked out in their pajamas.  The space was perfect for the party, and even with around 40 kids between 2 and 5, it went pretty smooth.  It was lots of fun, but just being around the energy level of that many little kids, all charged up on sugar and chocolate, really takes it out of this old man.  I helped get all the extra stuff and presents back to Kate and Nicco's apartment then walked over to the restaurant for the team dinner.  It was really quite nice, and I felt my Italian was improving, as I at least understood around 70% of what was going on without interpreters.  I did confirm my thoughts with two people sitting next to me who speak perfect English.

After a few of these events I now understand the general flow of the evening.  It simply goes slow with lots of emotional talk.  The big discussions were of the timing of our winter departures for weekend rides and a much longer and more emotional talk about new jerseys.  The sponsor, Florence by Bike, is getting a new logo, and we had to decide if we would re-do all our jerseys, shorts, vests, etc.  The decision is that we will do new short sleeved jerseys, as no official events are in the winter.  We will have available vests, windstopper coats, etc. for a special price for the team as well.  It was midnight by the time I left, and I was pretty beat.  I did have a couple of big (30 oz) beers, enough to feel it this morning.

After class today, I was home and out quickly for a ride.  I checked my list of prior rides to get the timing right and decided on San Donato.  I went out through Ponte a Ema and up Via Carota to Osteria Nuova, and continued up to San Donato.  Today, I climbed into the fog on the way to San Donato, and it got much cooler and while not raining, the air was thick enough with water that my sunglasses were wet and needed clearing even on a climb.  I descended down toward Le Valle, but turned off a Cellai to climb to another road that would climb to the top of the hill above Bombone.  I had ridden this road only once before the opposite direction, so it was like a new road for me.  After hooking up with the road I ride occasionally to Bombone, I turned off and continued climbing through Santa Maria to the very top of the hill then down to the main road just above Bombone.  I had never ridden this road, and I always enjoy a new road.  Pretty steep, but no traffic and a pretty good surface.

After hooking up with the main road, I descended, climbed, then descended more to Rosano.  From Rosano, I powered in 20 k or so on the main road toward Bagno a Ripoli.  I used the first bridge to get across the Arno, then rode home via the Campo de Marte station.  Really a fun ride, and the slight hangover was gone in less than a half hour after the start of the ride.  34.3 miles in 2:31 rolling time for an average speed of 13.6 mph with 2516 vertical feet of climbing at a chilly average temperature of 44.

San Donato, Cellai, Santa Maria, Bombone, Rosano, Bagno a Ripoli, Firenze by ridingwithcosimo at Garmin Connect - Details

I couldn't resist putting in a couple of pictures from Viola's party yesterday.

Here are my 3 favorite girls together in pajamas looking good.

All the kids are gathered around the cake to help with the candles.

Back to the normal pictures.  On today's ride, I climbed into the fog on the

way to San Donato in Collina.  I love the light on days like today.

I am starting across on this road that I had only descended once previously

As always, the roads are totally different in the opposite direction,

at least from this rider's point of view.  

The new road I found and rode today, with the fog coming back in.

The climb on the new road is in the distance here.  It turned out to be

pretty steep, but a fun, nice little road.

Chianti self imposed time trial.

An interesting ride portion of the day today.  I had planned a relatively long ride, reviewed old rides for timing and decided I could get to Regello and Tosi in a reasonable time, returning by 4.  Just as I was leaving the building, I received a phone call from Kate.  She was asking for a favor, and the timing was such that I needed to return by 2:30 to 2:45, so I said no, which she was fine with.  As I rode toward Bagno a Ripoli, I gave it some thought, then stopped and gave her a call, deciding I would do the favor for her.  I decided on a route that I was pretty sure would get me back in time.

I was already on my way to Ponte a Ema, so I continued over to Grassina, and climbed to Strada in Chianti.  This is a route I often use returning to town, so I have descended it probably 30 times in the last couple of years, maybe more.  I had never climbed it, and I tried it today.  Well, it was really fun.  It is quite user friendly, and I really pushed it on the way up.  As I checked the clock, it appeared that I was calling it quite close to be where I said I would be when I said.  I started to push my pace and continued to push the pace all the way.  From Strada, I descended to Ferrone, then down the main road to the climb to Luiano.  Always a great climb, road, and fun when pushing the pace.

At Mercatale, I turned toward San Casciano, and checking the clock, decided to descend from San Casciano to Falciani, which I thought would get me back the fastest way.  I am not sure after riding it if it is faster than going through Chiesa Nuova and Galuzzo.  Anyway, I enjoyed the descent, although I took all the descents pretty slow, as the cool temperatures and humidity is leaving roads pretty slick in the shade.  At Falciani, I again checked the time and knew I needed to push pretty hard through Tavernuzze to Galuzzo and into Firenze at Porta Romana.  I was at Porta Romana 5 minutes after I thought, and as I always give things a cushion, I was pretty happy with my timing.  I called Kate while riding and said I would pick up the package to drop at Viola's school in 5 minutes.

Bottom line, I sort of time trialed the ride today and really enjoyed the push.  It was also fun to estimate time on the fly and actually make it work.  I was home earlier than my plan, but the temperatures were already cooling off fast.  The garmin temperature information includes the effect of the sun, and it was sunny most of the ride.  The morning fog in Florence burned off around 11:00.  33.6 miles in 2:11 rolling time for an average speed of 15.4 mph with 1808 vertical feet of climbing at an average temperature of 54.  Fun push today.

Grassina, Strada, Ferrone, Luiano, San Casciano, Falciani, Firenze by ridingwithcosimo at Garmin Connect - Details

A nice view to the east from the climb toward Strada from Grassina.

I had never done this climb before, and it is fun, user friendly, and fast.

Nice view to the northeast from the ridge riding toward Strada.

Looking back at Impruneta from just below Luiano.  The 

vineyards are bare of leaves, but still pretty.

Another day, another ride - today in the Chianti hills.

Another day of class, followed by some errands, allowed me a few hours to get in a ride.  When it is below 50 or so, it is sometimes hard to summon the energy to get going.  I am always happy I do, though.  Today, I had a tiny hangover, as someone had to finish all the wine ordered at dinner last night.  Some very extended family (Kate's brother-in-laws parents) took us and Nicco's parents out to dinner at a nice restaurant, which was fun.  They basically took the menus and asked if we liked truffles.  Of course, we all said yes, and what followed was a truffle fest.  Wow, what a nice way to enjoy the season of the white truffle.  Tonight, Nicco invited us over to dinner, to say thank you for all the babysitting we do, and again, we are having truffles.  When he invited us, he said he bought a reasonable sized truffle and wanted to share it with us to say thank you.  Well, two nights in a row is fine with me, as it will probably be another year before I am privileged to have more.

Anyway, off for a ride.  I took the new normal way over to Ponte a Ema, then over to the Vacciano climb, then enjoyed the climb through Vacciano, San Gersole, Mezzomonte, to Monteoriolo.  A little descent follow by a small climb puts you in Impruneta, then a little descent followed by more climbing takes you to Strada.  I decided on the way out to take the climb from the road toward San Polo up and over to Capanuccia.  I had not ridden this piece of road for a while, and it was quite fun.  Just after Capanuccia, there is a road over to Antella, which I have ridden the other direction many times, but never from Capanuccia.  It was super nice, and at the top, I turned off to take a road I have never been on before to Grassina.  Again, lots of fun, and really nice to be on something totally new.  From Grassina, quickly over to Cinque Vie, then home after the connecting climbs and descents to the Viales at Piazza Ferucci.  28.0 miles in 2:04 rolling time for an average speed of 13.5 mph with 2162 vertical feet climbed at an average (sun effected) temperature of 52.

Vacciano, Impruneta, Strada, Capanuccia, Antella, Grassina, Firenze by ridingwithcosimo at Garmin Connect - Details

Beautiful day!  Starting the climb toward Capanuccia.

Nearing the top of the little, but steep climb from the San Polo

road to Capanuccia.

Climbing toward Antella from Capanuccia.

The new piece of road.  Beautiful little road and i love the cypress 

trees providing an end to the visual of the road.

Wandering up and down the hills close to home.

Emily and I are guests of some nice folks tonight for dinner at a restaurant that was one of our favorites when we had more money to spend, and I am looking forward to it.  We met after Italian classes, had a cafe and pastry, then walked through the holiday fair at Santa Croce.  We bought a beautiful hand painted ornament then Emily had a burger and I had an excellent polish sausage with kraut.  I definitely needed some exercise to have a worthy appetite for tonight, so I decided on a ride close to home with lots of climbing.  I stayed with my recent theme of doing something different.

Today, I was up and down a few hills, but one descent and one climb were done a new direction today.  I climbed up Via Bolognese to the Cercina turn off and enjoyed the descent and small climb before taking the first option as a descent.  Really nice descent with only one portion toward the bottom that is super steep.  Down to the base road by Careggi, then over and up what is normally my preferred option for descent.  I had never climbed this road before, and it was mostly very fun.  There is one stretch which clocked in on Strava at 25% and on Garmin around 30%.  Needless to say, as it is around 75 vertical meters of climbing it kicked me around pretty good.  On the other hand, almost all the remainder of the climb this way is pretty mellow, with one other stretch at 15% or so, but for only around 25 vertical meters.

Anyway, I enjoyed the new direction and took some photos of things I have never noticed before.  At the top, I took option #2 down and did the wandering route around Careggi that I have only done once before.  Lots of fun, and I am now ready to enjoy the nights feed as it should be.  18.6 miles in 1:38 rolling time for an average speed of 114 mph with 2352 vertical feet climbed at an average temperature of 51.

A few climbs and descents wandering the roads close to home by ridingwithcosimo at Garmin Connect - Details

Starting the climb, before the 25% stretch I changed gloves

which allowed me to access the camera and take a few pictures.

You certainly see different things climbing versus descending.

Loved this villa in the trees.

Climbing a road I have always descended before, I noticed

this church and bell tower for the first time.

Love this road.  This is almost the top of the climb.

On the descent from the Church above Cercina, the haze 

emphasized the many ranges of hills in the afternoon light.

Sad Sunday morning with the team. Moreno crashed yesterday and is in the hospital.

A cold, foggy morning, but off to meet the team anyway.  Checking the internet this morning, I found out that a couple of the team members had crashed yesterday and one was hurt pretty badly.  Moreno is in the hospital with 2 broken ribs, a broken collar bone, a broken femur, and a head injury.  He is the only team member who rides without a helmet, so I hope his head is ok.  On the way back to town today, we stopped in to visit, and he looked pretty banged up, but was smiling to see us, although we were allowed in only one at a time.  I was cautious to say the least on the ride, and will keep it in mind in the future.  I love going fast, and want to have fun, but also want to do it without any real injury for a long time, hopefully into old age.

We took off toward Lastra, but stopped to meet some other team on the way.  Eventually, we all hooked up, but a few of us were a little cold from waiting, so were happy when the tour started again.  By the time we got to Lastra, we had lost 5 or 6 of the overall group and were down to 5.  We continued, and as I don't really understand the rapid fire Italian, I just stayed with the group I was with and was happy with the tour we did.  We climbed from Lastra over the little pass to Ginestra, then rode over and up to Montespertoli.  We regrouped in Montespertoli and were down to 4, but continued on down along the ridge to Artimino, always a fun ride, although I rarely do it in this direction.  From Artimino, we continued down to the valley, the down the valley to turn on the road for Sammontana.  Again, a different direction for me, but nice.

As we left the Arno river valley at the start, we climbed into sunshine from fog, and the temperatures got warmer.  We rode from Sammontana back to Montelupo, then down the Valley to Cerbia.  Climbing to Chiesa Nuova, we hooked back up with 4 of the people we lost on the way to Lastra, and rode with them to Scandicci.  As I said before, a few of us stopped to visit Moreno in the hospital, then I rode home.  52.0 miles in 3:13 rolling time for an average speed of 16.2 mph with 2365 vertical feet climbed at an average temperature of 46.

Lastra, Ginestra, Montespertoli, Artimino, Sammontana, Cerbia, Cheisa Nuova by ridingwithcosimo at Garmin Connect - Details

The guys in front of me on the ridge ride to Artimino.

You can kind of see the view from the ridge ride to Artimino

from Montespertoli.  I took the picture riding quite quickly, 

so that is my excuse.

Nice after Santa ride in the close in hills around Fiesole.

Busy day yesterday with class followed by babysitting, then I had to go to a Christmas festival / market where they have German sausages with sour kraut, which I love.  This morning, I was Santa for a group here in Florence of Ex-pat Moms.  Moms, kids (around 55) and Dads were all there and it was a very fun time.  I was thinking it would not leave me time for a ride, but I got out of there an hour or so earlier than I expected, and the weather was much nicer than I thought as well.  I suited up and changed my mind about what ride I would do in the elevator going down to street level.

I decided on going up to Pian de Mugnone, then climbing to Fiesole.  I don't do this climb often, and I enjoyed it last week, so I did it again today.  The road is part of the world championship course, so the pavement is new and perfect.  It really makes a difference on climbing as well as descending.  From Fiesole, I climbed to the road over toward Montebeni and turned off to descend through Vincigliata.  I climb this road all the time, and rarely descend here.  It is a really awesome descent and it was super fun today.  At the bottom of the descent, I decided to climb up through Maiano to the main Fiesole road, which I also ride all the time in reverse.  Roads are really different climbing versus descending.  Anyway, good climb followed by a very fast descent on the main road though San Domenico to Le Cure, then home.  14.6 miles in 1:08 Rolling time for an average speed of 12.9 mph with 1644 vertical feet climbed at an average temperature of 53.  Ciao.

Pian de Mugnone, Fiesole, Vincigliata, Maiano, San Domenico, Firenze by ridingwithcosimo at Garmin Connect - Details

A couple of views climbing toward Fiesole from Pian

de Mugnone.  What a beautiful day for December.

This is looking back toward Settignano from the start

of the day's last climb toward Maiano.