Day 5 (VBT Day 2): 6/12/22

 Today was the first real day of riding. It was also the hardest day, at least on paper.

A typical day of riding on a VBT tour begins with breakfast followed by a daily briefing. Today we got driven to the start, Castellina Marittima where we met the van and our bikes. It was the top of a climb, but while we were getting ready, there were a number of cyclists who came up the road, including what was probably a club ride with matching jerseys. They were really cruising and it was cool to hear the whirring sound of their bikes.

The descent was fun, but a little caution was in order because the road surface was pretty rough. At one point, I pulled over and took this picture to prove we really are in Italy.

I don't have the stats for this part of the ride before lunch, but the route was 20 miles and a little bit of climbing. Plus, it was getting hot.

The lunch stop was at Casale Marittima where one of the guides set up lunch. This is Micole. 

Meanwhile, we took a short walk up the road to the village. Very cute.

The boys picked out a watering hole for cold water and some Italian sodas.

Vince: what is this? Will it make us better riders?

For a little village, it sure had a lot of churches.

Mike checking one out. It is Sunday, after all.

The afternoon ride was short (19 miles), but it involved off-road including gravel and dirt paths through a park. It also involved quick turns down alleyways and protected multi-use paths where we had to dodge walkers with strollers and families on bikes without helmets on the way to the beach. It was one our least favorite routes. 

We were pretty happy to get back to the hotel and get into the pool.

Summary stats: about 30 miles, about 2000' of climbing, 90 degrees.

https://www.strava.com/activities/7296513289

The boys took some pictures and I might post them after they send them. Or I might not.