Day 57, Sunday, July 22 – Lucca to Firenze, Italy
Monday 23 July 2012
We awoke to a spectacular morning, 
though only a degree lower on the thermometer from yesterday, the 71 degrees was refreshingly crisp and the sun served only to accentuate the billowing white clouds.
We rolled up and down the hillsides filled with grapevines and Christmas trees
with more riders on the roads
and mountains in the distance.
It is tough to describe in words or pictures, but there was a fabulous sense of romance
and renaissance in the villages
and countryside we rode, as if we’d gone back in time.
At 9:00, someone flipped the wind on full blast in our face. 
Several times we almost came to a stand still and struggled to move forward in the force of the wind. The scenery was still spectacular,
just a little tougher to enjoy or take pictures without stopping. And of course, there was a grueling climb
or two
to keep us grounded,
but the scenery won.
Not sure if the wind caused the incredible sky,
or the clouds the wind, 
either way it was mesmerizing.
We kept waiting for either the wind or us to change directions. With a little direction help for some cyclists,
a long two and a half hours later a bend in the road provided us just enough change to almost to enjoy a push. As a sidenote, these cyclist offered to lead us to the correct road, which we declined.
Today offered us some of the most awesome 
50 miles of countryside
we have seen
even the ditches had a certain appeal., 
And then we came to the river that borders the city of Firenze/Florence,
Amazing!
We were a bit tired to tour after our ride, but knew we would make up for it on our day off tomorrow. We watched the mobs of people from our window
before we headed out for dinner.
Maurizia from Lavagna had told us Tuscany was know for it’s fish and beef (and wine, of course); so we set out to find the perfect steak. Our hotel recommended a place
around the corner (from experience, not a good idea) where we enjoyed one of the best if not the best steak we’ve ever had. Our stroll back from dinner included beautiful music
and carousels,
Truly Magical!
Ken and Don Says:
what a great day–the countryside shots were beautiful!
Don
WSN Says:
I gather you didn’t consider going to Florence a mistake. It wasn’t.
Jerry and Lori Says:
The ride into Florence was spectacular and the city is way beyond our expectation. Probably the most beautiful of any town we have ever visited on a bike. Everyone here says that Sienna is more beautiful , but we can not imagine that it is. However, It is to far into the mountain range for us old timers to do on a bike. It looks as if we will be home in two weeks…..sad, but true…..
Jim & Dencye Corzatt Says:
J & L
We googled Florence to see what you were in for. OMG! ENJOY!
We will see what can be done about having Italian minstrels at Regino’s upon your return.
Jerry and Lori Says:
We will just have you hum a few tunes…..not!
Robyn Says:
All of the towns & beaches are beautiful…
WSN Says:
If Pisa is on your horizon, be careful about drinking wine there, else after a bottle or two you might think the tower is straight up. Then the guys who went to all that trouble to bend it over to lure tourists will have expended all that effort in vain. See the leaning tower before the tower straightening wine.
Billybob Says:
Looking good. FYI we had a bullshark wash up on the beach late last week. I sent you an email…hope it’s helpful on riding info. Bill
Jerry and Lori Says:
thanks for the hint, we’ll try to keep that in mind!