February 29 :: Radda in Chianti, Italy

February 29 :: Radda in Chianti, Italy :: 52km / 346km total

A hilly start, but nothing new, and we sped along. The group is really coming into form now, everyone getting their cycling legs beneath them. The mileage flew by, even the final switchbacks up into Radda were knocked away in record time. The only troubles we've encountered, really, are the lack of business hours carried out by most establishments here in Italy. Most restaurants and other businesses are closed from noon til 4pm, and hotels are not matching the rates that we reserved online (i.e. we show up and they demand 5-15 euros more than our quoted reservation). When in Rome... I suppose....

We are now 1 day's ride from Florence, but due to difficulty in hotel reservations we will split the final ride into town over 2 days. Nancy, Tim Kenton, and Dad are considering flying home a day or two early, with possible layovers in London. Liz and I are looking at 2 days in Rome... Rome is only 2 hours away by bullet train from Florence.