Headway Systems: Cycling in Italy

Day 9 Today's ride will take us up and beyond Pienza to our furthest destination, Trequanda and then back to Montefollonico.

Riding up the long winding road towards Pienza.
It's fall in Tuscany and with that comes hunting season. You can just make out a man in the stubble field using his dog to flush the birds. It was wonderful to ride the cypress lined roads up to Pienza.


Vic on the final climb to Pienza		A couple more switch backs and we're there.

One last look down the valley. You can see the top of Mt. Amiata that we will climb another day.

Mt. Amiata, Castiglione d'Orcia, & Quirico from Pienza

S.Quirico from Pienza

Bob, Vic and Jean enjoy a cappuccino in Pienza before we head on.		The old boys hang out in the local park in Pienza.
After a quick stop for cappuccino's in Pienza, we were on our way to Trequanda







Looking north from Pienza. Grapes and olives everywhere.		You can see these olives are starting to turn from green to a darker color.
Trequanda A small village with a simple Romanesque parish church of SS. Pietro e Andrea in the central square.
What came first, the tree or the wall?		Roy standing outside the bakery (beaded door on left). If it wasn't for Sandy's sleuthing abilities we never would have found the bakery.



We're getting a piece of the pan forte which is a a delectable cake, like a very dense xmas cake.		Next stop, Montefollonico.

Montefollonico This was a very small little village with the usual churches and such. The views were outstanding as the village is perched on top of a hill. Locking up the bikes outside the town wall.		Ian, Keang, Roy and Vic standing guard duty. This is the main entrance to the town.


Street scenes


Time out for a little foose ball. Heh, no cheating even if the acorn won't roll properly.


	The views were great from up here.

Here, there was a small wooden door leading to the outside of the wall. Usually in most of these fortified towns we saw a large arched gateway - the main entrance, a rear gate, sometimes smaller than the front, but this was the first side door I saw.		Imagine dinner on this terrace.
Coming back from Montifollonico


From here it was back to Pienza to catch up on emails and then back to Le Checche. Another great day.

Tonight's chef was Doug who served up mushroom and seafood (del mare) risotto. Great job. Good help from the sous-chef.		Myrna's into the wine again. A craving for simple carbs.
Shift into gear for Day 10.
Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, Day 8, Day 9, Day 10, Day 11, Day 12, Day 13, Feast