Day 2 2018-10-06 Siena & Giaole in Chianti

Day 2 2018-10-06 Siena & Giaole in Chianti

With a jet lagged early start, I enjoyed the Hotel Italia breakfast and set about assembling my bicycle. Fortunately there were no missing or extra parts. The last task would be to top up the tire pressure with a proper pump.

The 30km drive to Chianti was as I had remembered cycling at 4:00am one year ago- Many hills and turns through a series of small villages including Ponte a Bozzone and Pianena.

Knowing it would be busy,  I took the first park 1km out of town, cycled in and queued up with an international mix of eager cyclists . Like many events before, the collection of the bib and event merchandise signals the emotion that the test of training is about to begin.

The markets of food, wine and vintage bicycles & parts were crowded, though somewhat calm and relaxed. There is an enjoyment of looking at the history of the bicycle in a marketplace and not relegated yet to a museum.

After a mushroom lasagne for lunch,I headed back to the hotel for a short afternoon sleep (3.5hrs!)

Dinner was at the  recommended restaurant “iL Vinaio”. The meal and service was excellent and I read the L’Eroica Times. Bobby, the waiter told me of their Vespa Club.

Time to set the alarms for 4:00am start.