Pinone, solo on a perfect spring day.

With 3 client tours in the next 4 days, I wanted to get a reasonable solo ride in today.  I had to do some errands, shopping, etc., so a real long ride was not in the cards.  I decided on a ride that combined some climbing with some flats, and a really nice route that grows on me every time I take it these days.  I went out of town through the Cascine, then out the back way to Signa, only around 4 kilometers of busy roads the whole way from my apartment.  In Signa, I take the turn to Carmignano, then enjoy the cruise, with some climbing out to the start of the climb below Comeana.  The climb through Comeana, La Serra, Carmignano, and Santa Christina is pretty mellow, but then it gets a little steeper to Pinone.  It is still quite user friendly, averaging around 5% with the steepest part probably around 9%.  The bar at Pinone is closed on Wednesdays, so no cafe there.

I took the first descent option, which is now my favorite, and cranked it down to Limite, where I joined the main road.  I clocked the distance on the main road at only 4 kilometers into Montelupo, which is one of the nice parts of the first descent option.  From Montelupo, I followed the valley to Cerbia, stopping along the way for a cafe and water just past Ginestra.  From Cerbia, it is the beautiful climb to Chiesa Nuova, then the descent along the ridge to the Scandicci turn off.  I blasted down the Scandicci descent then enjoyed the ride solo through the traffic home.  I enjoy riding in the city with the traffic, but with clients, it takes more attention and effort, so the solo effort today was fun.  Back to work, as I now know it, tomorrow.  Ciao.

Signa, Pinone, Limite, Cerbia, Chiesa Nuova, Scandicci, Firenze by ridingwithcosimo at Garmin Connect - Details

That is Florence in the distant valley on this incredibly clear sky

day, climbing toward Pinone above Carmignano.

A view of the top of the Pinone climb, from the water source,

with the panoramic view visible through the trees.

The valley approaching Cerbia.

With the clear skies, the snow capped peaks in the distance 

were quite visible just after the turn off for the Scandicci descent.

Monte Morello walking by the "Frana"

This morning was official catch up time, and as rain was forecast for this afternoon, I did not think I would get out.  The rain was holding off, it looked good from our windows, so I went for an afternoon ride.  Not too long or too far North, as that was the rain location.  A couple of nice hours and a great route made for some fun.  I climbed to Pratolino on Via Bolognese, then went over to the Monte Morello road and ignored the closed signs and climbed to the top.  Nothing at this point, but really no traffic.  I was thinking that if I had to turn around it was fine, but when I reached the reason for the closure, there was an easy path around it as long as you were walking.  Great descent, and good ride.  I had not ridden this in a while, as the signs were pretty emphatic, and last fall when I tried, it was truly closed with heavy equipment, etc.  Fine today with pretty nice weather (discounting the wind) and a fine ride.  Ciao!

Pratolino, Monte Morello (frana), Sesto, Firenze by ridingwithcosimo at Garmin Connect - Details

A view of the start of the hills in the Mugello from the 

Monte Morello climb.

A view to the Arno valley from the Piazzale Leonardo Da Vinci

at the top of the Monte Morello climb.

This is why the road is closed.  Frana where the road wants to

drop into the valley below.  It actually is nice for cycling, as there 

is an easy walking path around it and no traffic.

Into the Mugello - including the Marcoiano climb.

After a day off, which was needed, but was still full, with Kate and family at our apartment for Mother's day brunch and a dinner with some friends of my brother's from California, I decided on a ride into the Mugello.  I did not really know how I would feel, so I kept my options open in my mind as I went.  I started by climbing to San Domenico, then down through Maiano to the start of the Vincigliata climb.  I hooked up with the road above Fiesole, then proceeded toward Croce alla Vetta, turning off right before the top to continue climbing to Bivigliano.  I enjoyed the super fun descent to Vaglia, then put my head down and cranked it into Scarperia.

I started toward Sant Agata, and on the way decided to do the Maroiano climb, which I typically do once per year.  It is very steep in places, the maximum on Strava hit 31%, which I believe.  I have been working on my mental approach to climbs, making sure I approach climbs with the outlook that it is a fun opportunity to work myself and enjoy the exertion.  I stopped on the way, just after the turn to start, as my ziplock baggie with gorp was not opening up.  I had a little snack, and will replace the baggie today.  I tend to focus on the steep part, as it is a real challenge for me, but today, I really enjoyed the climb to the steep part.  It is a really beautiful road, with a good surface and great views.  Also, tiny, which I like.  There are two very steep sections, the first hits 26% and the second hits 31%.  Oh yeah, there is a little climb at the end which records 24%, just to finish you off.  Well, I think I really enjoyed the climb this time, and perhaps will do it again before a year has passed.

From the top of the climb, you hook up with the road from Panna down to Galliano, which is a fun, fast descent.  From Galliano, down to the great road through Bosco Ai Frati to San Piero, then over to the climb up Via Faentina to Croce alla Vetta.  This is often a fast climb for me, but today I left alot on the Marcoiano climb, but I still enjoyed the climb to the pass, then last real climb of the day.  Back home on Via Faentina made for a great ride.  I have 3 weekends in a row in the beginning of June which are timed events - for me a race - and it was good to start some training rides.

Solo in the Mugello with Marcoiano climb 31% by ridingwithcosimo at Garmin Connect - Details

I noticed a new group of flowers just blooming on the 

climb through Vincigliata.

This is the view back to the Southeast at the start of the 

climb to Marcoiano.

The road behind on a short snack break on the climb to and 

through Marcoiano.  Beautiful road!

Day 5 with Tina and Nate - Dudda, La Panca, San Polo.

Today was my last day guiding Tina and Nate, and it has been a great 5 days.  They are both strong athletes and riders, and only got stronger riding as the week went on.  We went out through Ponte a Ema then up Via Carota to Osteria Nuova, then up to San Donato in Collina.  Tina is now a very competent descender, and actually enjoyed the descent to Le Valli where we stopped for cafe and pastries.  Very good for both espresso and pastries.  We continued the descent with a couple of uphills to Incisa where we refilled water.  From Incisa, it is on the main road to the turn off in Figline, then the start of the climb to Dudda.  I had mentioned last night that Sting's villa is on this road and they are both big fans.  They goggled to find more information about the location, etc., and it appears that he has a main villa with a number of "guest houses".  I was basically correct on the houses I had guessed were his.  I only thought one belonged to him, but the property is quite large and there are a number of structures.

We continued up past Dudda to the turn of to the short descent, then climb to La Panca.  We got more water there, then enjoyed the excellent descent toward Strada.  I kind of thought this descent would be a good reward for the work Tina had done this week learning to be happy and confident descending.  She loved it!  We continued the descent toward San Polo, then climbed to the town and had a cafe - excellent.  A short retracing of the route, then up to the little pass between San Polo and Grassina, then a very fast descent.  We returned through Cinque Vie, and were home riding the Viales.  The garmin information is a little short, as for some reason, it lost the time and mileage between La Panca and the start of the climb to San Polo, I think around 10 to 15 kilometers.

Great 5 days of riding, Nate and Tina.  I enjoyed meeting and riding with you both.  Thanks for "Riding with Cosimo"

Last day with Nate and Tina - Figline, La Panca, San Polo, Firenze by ridingwithcosimo at Garmin Connect - Details

Over the head shot on the climb to San Donato in Collina.

At the gates of one of Sting's houses between Figline and Dudda.

Climbing toward Dudda.

At the water fountain in La Panca.

A posed picture at the top of the little pass between 

San Polo and Grassina.

A scenic shot between San Polo and Grassina - Che Bella!

Day 4 with Tina and Nate to the West and South, almost 100k.

We had a good, relatively early start today, and there was a possibility of the ride being longer, perhaps 100k.  We started out by going out through the Cascine, then out the back roads to Signa.  I like to take multi-day clients out different directions each day, and today was to the west.  From Signa, we rode out to the Umbrone river valley, then started the climb up through Comeana, Carmignano, and St. Christina to Pinone.  We took a very nice break at Pinone for cafe and pastries for them, got some excellent water from the fountain there, then started the descent to Montelupo.  I gave them the options, and we took the first one, which involves more switchbacks, but Tina has been learning well, and I rode a few with her, and by the bottom she was smiling and loving the descent.  It did not hurt that a couple of very good and fast Italian young riders whistled at her as they passed on the descent.

From the base of this descent, it is a relatively short flat ride to Montelupo, then we went out to Ginestra where I reviewed more options.  They were happy with a longer ride, and I basically had the ride we ended up doing in mind all along.  We turned off just past San Vincenzo a Torri to climb to the ridge on the tiny road, then up the ridge toward Montagnana.  After connecting with the main road, we went a little further up, then turned left for the ridge climb through San Quirico to San Pancrazio.  Water in San Pancrazio, then a super descent to Ponterotto and a nice break for cafe and pastries for us all.  After the break, we went up and over to the mild climb to San Casciano, then regrouped at the top.

We rode along the ridge toward Chiesa Nuova, but turned off to descend through San Andrea in Percussina, then back to Galluzzo on the main road through Tavernuzze.  In Galluzzo we took the back way to the road up to Poggio Imperiale, then down to the Viale.  We stopped at San Miniato and I stayed with the bikes at the bottom while they checked it out.  Back home on the Viales through a fair amount of traffic including a bus broken down at Piazza Ferrucci.  What a mess.  We skirted it pretty easily on the bikes, and finished a very nice ride.  Excellent job, Tina and Nate.

Day 4 with Nate and Tina - Pinone, Montelupo, San Pancrazio, Firenze by ridingwithcosimo at Garmin Connect - Details

A good over the head shot of Nate and Tina climbing toward Comeana.

Tina and Nate on the climb to Pinone.  Great views back toward

Firenze in the distance.

Tina and Nate on the ridge going toward Montagnana.

What a beautiful day!

A new picture of me for my website, as both Nate and Tina 

thought I have lost enough weight that I needed a new photo.

Nate on the days final real climb to San Casciano.

Day 3 with Tina and Nate - San Donato, Bombone, Rosano, Monteloro, Olmo.

We had a late start, as Tina and Nate spent the morning at museums and art galleries.  They have lots of energy and are getting both lots of riding and lots of sightseeing.  Good for them, awesome job.  I knew last night what the schedule would be, and revised my ride possibilities to get a shorter, but still great ride.  I believe I succeeded, as they were both super happy with the ride.  Nate is a professional videographer, and took a GoPro camera with us today.  I am looking forward to the finished product, as it will be a great marketing tool.  He is doing it for promotion, and can then write off his trip.  Great for me.

We rode out of town through Ponte a Ema, then up Via Carota to Osteria Nuova, then up to San Donato in Collina.  We switched the camera harness to me, and it was mounted so I could lead the descent and take footage of Nate riding behind me.  I saw the results after we returned, and the footage is great.  We enjoyed the descent and turned off in Cellai to the steep climb to start the tiny back road experience over to Bombone.  What a beautiful road and ride.  Today was the first day since last fall that I rode with only shorts and short sleeves - sweet weather.  I love it.  We hooked up with the main road over to Rosano and really enjoyed the mostly descent from Bombone.  I have been working with Tina on descending and this was a perfect road for her to feel confident and try out my suggestions.  I think it all worked as she caught up at the bottom with a huge smile on her face.

From Rosano, we headed over toward Pontasieve, then down to Sieci, before turning off for the Monteloro climb.  A great climb, but for the first time all week they started to show some fatigue as the climb wore on.  At the top, we decided on going home by way of Olmo and Via Faentina, a sweet ride and descent.  Another great opportunity for Tina to feel good about her improving descending skills.  Back home through Le Cure, then some food for the hungry young people as bonking was just starting.  Another great day out with these two fun clients.

Day 3 with Tina and Nate - San Donato, Cellai, Bombone, Rosano, Monteloro by ridingwithcosimo at Garmin Connect - Details

An over the head shot of Nate and Tina on the way to Osteria Nuova.

Nate on Via Carota with his go-pro harness taking video.

Nate, cruising toward Bombone.

Tina on one of my favorite roads from Cellai to Bombone.

Nate, going ahead just past Monteloro.

Above Monteloro getting close to finishing the last climb of the day.

Day 2 with Tina and Nate - into the southern edge of the Mugello

Today was day 2 riding with Nate and Tina.  After a late night last night with some others, it was a little hard to get up early, but I managed it, and after my Yoga practice, was feeling good and ready for the day.  I decided to take them the opposite direction today, and we started by going my regular back route to San Domenico, then up to the turn off to descend through Maiano to the start of the Vincigliata climb.  They are strong athletes and good climbers, so they really enjoyed the Vincigliata road.  Tina had some trouble with switchbacks yesterday, so I stopped on one and we rode up, then down the switchback a few times, and she was basically set.  It seems she was just intimidated by the steep switchbacks yesterday, so not being confident, she got off the bike and walked them.  So, after a little instruction and some encouragement, she had it down.  Good Job. We continued up past Vincigliata to the Road toward Fiesole, then up toward Olmo, turning off to finish the climb to the little pass to descend toward the Santa Brigida road.  We had a nice break at the top, then stopped again for the excellent water in Santa Brigida.  We continued on the road over to the windmill, and it is always a client favorite.  Just a beautiful ride with very little traffic, what's not to like?  From the Windmill, we descended to Rufina for a cafe and pastry.  My normal spot is closed on Wednesdays, which I should remember, but did not.  They did not want to extend the day by riding to Diacetto, so we found another good cafe for cafe and panini in Rufina.  We went back over to the tiny road on the west side of the river, and enjoyed the ride to Pontasieve.  In Pontasieve, we regrouped and I started back to Florence at a very mellow pace so we could all stay together.  A couple of times I forgot the mellow pace, but when I checked behind me, they were right there.  So, after about 1/3 of the way, I set what is a pretty strong pace for me, particularly into a head wind home, and they stayed right there.  Another really nice day riding with these two young people from Wisconsin.  Enjoyed riding with you both today.   Check out Vincigliata, Santa Brigida, Rufina, Pontasieve, Firenze with Tina and Nate on Strava.com! It's a 67.5 km ride I did on Wednesday, May 7, 2014. I took some time to show Tina how to descend a switchback, as she had some trouble yesterday.  Here she is, on the bike, the master of this switchback.  Good Job! Just below Vincigliata, ready for more climbing. Climbing on the Vincigliata road. On our way back, here are Nate and Tina on the "Popes road" on the way to Pontasieve.