Pienza Loop

Distance 88.5 km Elevation 1,481m Moving Time 4:08

Strade Bianchi and our longest day

So far, all the rides have been out the gates and turn left down the hill.  This morning we turned right and within a few km’s we hit the white roads of the strade bianchi.  I have never ridden gravel before, so this was a brand-new experience.

Avoiding piled up gravel, avoiding the corrugations, and trying not to go too hard with the front brake all take time to learn.  The uphill and flat sections were fine, but the downhill sections took all my riding skills to not skid and lose the front wheel.  There were a few hairy moments, but I managed to stay upright and negotiate the 8km of gravel with both feet still in the pedals.

Back on the tarmac for the next 72km, there were lots of ups and downs before we had a coffee stop at a wine bar just outside Montepulciano.  Another 20km to our lunch stop at the lovely hilltop town of Pienza.  Lunch was a just reward after a picturesque category 3 climb just before the town gates.  We enjoyed a delicious porchetta panini sitting in the shade of the town piazza.  Unfortunately, we don’t get time to explore these wonderful Tuscan towns.  They are all buzzing with people enjoying themselves and look very inviting.  Maybe one day in the future we can come back and explore.

After lunch, it was a mostly downhill to flat 22km ride back to the beginning of the Strade Bianchi.  Tiring I was even more cautious of the 8km of gravel back to the homestead, yet I still managed to hit lots of loose gravel and corrugations so much so my empty bidon bounced out of its holder twice before coming out a 3rd and final time where it still remains on the side of the Strade Bianchi.

The day ended with very dirty bikes, a swim, some beers, a lovely dinner, and a final good night’s sleep at our Buonconvento accommodation which we leave tomorrow.