Thursdays breakfast was a small buffet – the hosts here are really working at turning the place into a nice motel.
Puzzle book!
Today would take me from Tuscany to Ternie (a little town half way to Rome). It was only about 250 km, and planned as a little bit of an easier ride, so I decided to hang about a bit and work through the puzzle book friends had given me before I left.
The ride would have been, except the temperatures were a sweltering average of 38 degrees and I was in the sun on the entire Autostrada. Luckily the sun hit from behind, so I didn’t get sun burned, but it was very exhausting. Todays stay is in a little farm, where they had, many years ago, updated the stable to be a little apartment which they now rent out on Airbnb.
Unfortunately, Google maps could not find the place, so the Son had to come and pick me up from the “white” road on the way. White roads are basically dirt roads which are not on all maps, usually covered in gravel. I have to admit, the white road was a bit of fun on the bike. Definitely an advantage of a touring bike over a cruiser – on my cruiser I would have been worried about scratches, on this one I was happy to take the road with some speed 😀
Here’s a bit of video of me going over the road at some point… Sorry about the angle, but you get the gist 🙂
The farm was great. I took some pictures of the view and of the cool stables I had to myself. They also have a super cute old dog!
I went to the only local restaurant for dinner (other side of the white road), which was unfortunately really disappointing. But the night at the farm was great, and I got to see an awesome sunset on the ride back to the Airbnb – crossing the white road a third time today :D.
As I returned I had a chat to the host… though I should point out that we didn’t have a single common language, though she spoke Italian, French and even some Arabic. But we managed to communicate anyhow; sure, a little slower and with more hand waving than normal, but she told me about growing up in Napoli and the farm she is living on now and the seasonal produce (Jams, Olives) she makes. Unfortunately I wasn’t there at the right time for the produce – besides it wouldn’t have fit on the bike!
I have to say that while the accommodations were all nice and relaxing the riding is making this trip rather stressful. I would definitely not suggest Italy by bike, and probably not by car either.
Listening to…
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