2005 Pisa - Siena - Firenze - Venezia

Cycling Tour 2005 April Pisa - Siena - Florence - Venice

Together with Kjell Sponås and Oddvar Leirdal

14.04 Arrived at Pisa at. 14. Took a taxi from the airport. Trashed around the city. Overcast, slightly windy and dense. Better city than expected. Norwegian flag on the clothes is fashion. Enjoyed the delicious pizza in the evening. Stayed at Hotel Touring.

15.04 Started at the tower. Found easily out of town. Much traffic right up to San Gimignano. Arrived at 15:30. Slightly cloudy, with wind in all directions. Slightly flat - a bit hilly at the end. Great city! Stayed at La Casa di Giovanna. Met a Norwegian couple on "dad-perm". Kjell punctured at rest.

16.04 Started 9:15 and arrived at Siena 12:15. Stop in Montereggione. Lunch at the piazza of Siena. Took a bit to find the way to Greve in Chianti. Strong rise to Castellina in Chianti. Arrived at Greve at 18. Stayed at the vineyard Casale Le Masse about 1 km outside the city center. Cloudy - about 20 degrees - a little windy.

17.04 The day started when Kjell's front wheel was punctured. Proviantete in Greve where we started from about 10. Spent some time finding the center of Florence and some time finding hotels. Trashed around the city in the evening. Great city, but a bit of traffic, noise and dust. Stayed at the Hotel de la Ville (expensive)

18.04 Started about 10. Arrived at Imola 17:30. A lot of climbing from Florence. Great over Apedinnes, the highest point we were over 882 moh. Fantastic downhill ride from Firenzuola where we ate lunch. Spring has come a lot longer on this side of the mountain. Lie behind an Italian the last mile to Imola - 35 km / h. Stayed at the Euro Hotel.

19.04 Started by looking at the Imola course that was closed due to race in a few days. Rain all day! 90 km on 4t. After lunch and shower, the sun came. Emergency stop in Portomaggiore. Stayed at great Italian hotel with Italian hosts in Cordigoro.

20.04 Started at. 10, and arrived at Venice at. 16. Thin breakfast, but brilliant weather. Emergency stop in Cavarzere. Longest stage Much traffic towards Venice. Had booked hotel in advance - Hotel Villa Rosa - Calle de la Misericordia, 389 located at the train station.