The Bicycle Adventure Club - Come Ride With Us!

Tuscany on the Med 2019 !!!

September 4th to September 14th

Ride Director: Stephen Kiel
Ride Co-Director: Linda Kiel
Report by: Miriam Joscelyn

40 riders collected rental bikes, received keys to wonderful rooms at our hotel and had a
delicious dinner in the hotel dining room September 4. The Mediterranean Sea was just
outside the hotel. Our happy hours were held in the garden patio between the hotel and
beach.
Each morning we enjoyed a bountiful breakfast before setting out on the ride of the day. We
pedaled through a farmers market, farm stands, Italian vineyards and olive trees. Hills, villages
that were centuries old, and wonderful rides through forests and farmland were regular
occurrences. The old buildings of stone and brick were interesting to see. The narrow
passages between homes and the steep stairs in the villages were photo opportunities, as well
as breathtaking to climb. We climbed up to ruins of castles and enjoyed views of the valleys
and villages below. We saw fields of sunflowers, artichokes, melons, leeks, broccoli and other
vegetables. Another day we enjoyed biking between trees and much greenery. On our last day
of riding we traveled to Populonia to climb the Medieval tower and the Appian fortress. An
Etruscan city earlier, the City of Pisa constructed a tower to bolster defenses around the middle
of the 12th century. The views from the top of the tower were panoramic, and we could see
islands out in the Mediterranean.
During some of the nights there were lightning displays in the sky over the Mediterranean. The
next days we had thunderstorms and rain which did not dampen our enthusiasm for the
scenery and rides.
We had a wonderful lunch at the olive grove owned by the family that owns the hotel where we
stayed. The lunch was every bit as filling and delicious as were the dinners at the hotel. A
tour of the olive grove followed the meal, and we saw an olive tree that was 200 years old.
On our day off some took the train to Florence. Others hiked into Donoratico and took the
shuttle back to the Marina.
Back on our bikes, we rode to the Petra world class winery to enjoy the architecture by world
renowned Mario Botta and have a private tour of the winery followed by a tasting.
We had excellent meals provided by our hotel. The chef was creative and the serving staff
were very attentive. On the road we enjoyed paninis in restaurants, grocery made sandwiches
in shady parks, fruit and other items from farm stands, markets and grocery stores.
At the completion of the ride we were thankful that we were on the 5th Tuscan ride Linda and
Stephen have led. Their planning was comprehensive and their leadership was enthusiastic.
They have given BAC leaders an excellent standard to emulate.