Day 6: Florence to Siena

The return to the saddle after gelato-overload took me through unending hills of vineyards as I traveled from Florence to Siena. Day 6 was a Sunday and the local cyclists were more common than cars. A nice change when compared to the busy highways around Milan and Venice. The cyclists were amazingly friendly, with a energetic "Buon Giorno!" from near everyone. The entire ride was very scenic but my favorite stop had to have been Raddi in Chianti. The town sits atop a hill overlooking the surrounding countryside. A little "alimentari" (small, local grocer) had great bread and cheeses that I enjoyed while resting and viewing the sites. I also picked up a bottle of Chianti that is unique to the immediate area around Raddi. I ended up hauling the bottle for the remainder of the trip and am awaiting the right occasion to pop it open.

After Raddi in Chianti, the ride became more strenuous and the temperatures were around 35 C (95 F). Rolling into Siena was a welcomed event and I quickly found a bar for a tall glass of "acqua con gassata," very refreshing. In Siena, I stayed at Hotel Tre Donzelle (28 euro/night, no breakfast), a two star hotel about 100 meters from Il Campo... an excellent find. Once rested I explored Siena, which is a fabulous city. I sat at Il Campo, dumbfounded by the surrounding beauty and enjoyed coffee and panforte (local fruitcake) while reading and people-watching. I had a great dish of Ravioli at Il Cachiore, a restaurant endorsed by Slow Food. I give it two thumbs up!

Day 6 followed the "Chinti Region" ride outlined in Lonely Planet's Cycling Italy. I strongly suggest purchasing the book if you are planning a Italy cycling tour. Even if you don't intend to follow their routes, they have good practical information for the touring cyclist.

Summary: 90 km (56 miles); rolling hills through Chianti vineyards and lots of relaxation in Siena