This trip started in Siena which I find to be a much more attractive place to stay than the better known Florence which seems to be completely over-run with tourists.
I spent an afternoon window shopping before having an evening meal in il Campo ... Siena's dramatic central square.
The following day I was up early ... although not as early as most Sienese ... to start my trip north across the Chianti region of Tuscany.
As Siena was left behind its distinctive features disappeared in a combination of the early morning mist and wood smoke from numerous bonfires in the surrounding valleys.
Siena is a relatively small city ... with the countryside right on its doorstep ... so in no time at all the classic elements of the Tuscan landscape begin to appear.
Olive groves, vinyards, cyprus trees and hill top dwellings, ranging from barns to castles, all appear within a few kilometres of the city boundaries.
I headed east towards the Arbia valley.
The minor road zig-zags gently through the open countryside (mostly) avoiding the steepest gradients.
The road descends to cross the Torrente Arbia and then climbs to pass the hamlet of Montaperti.
The road continues eastward before climbing to the small walled town of Castelnuovo Berardenga.
In the approach to the town were diversion signs ...
I ignored them ... and found that they had been set up to route cars around the street market that was underway beneath the town walls.
Hidden behind the market stalls I discovered a bike shop ... where the owner was servicing a rather un-trendy bike with a chain guard.
The market gave me the opportunity to purchase some bananas ... in case the going got tough in the afternoon.
The next priority was to find a café for lunch.
The main piazza had been dug up and roped off ...
... but just around the corner in Piazza G. Matteoti there was a small and, judging by number of patrons, popular café.
No excuse was needed for me to stop for a drink and some panini (so that saved me thinking too hard).
While I was enjoying my lunch two sporty cyclists arrived and compared each other's bikes ... however both declined to swap their lightweight bikes for my sturdy mountain bike ... I wonder why?.
After lunch I followed the narrow back streets up to La Torre dell' Orologico.
The tower was built in the 14th Century and converted to a clock tower in around 1755.
After leaving Castelnuovo Berardenga I turned back westward to head towards the Arbia Valley.
Gradually the sky began to darken and distant rumbles of thunder could be heard.
The route passed through open countryside before descending to re-cross the Arbia and reach the village of Pianella.
Soon afterwards the heavens opened and I took shelter behind a small barn until the storm passed.
After the enforced break the route climbed on a ridge through Pieve Asciata up towards the hilltop village of Vagliagli.
From Vagliagli which was the highest point of the day (511 m) I dropped down towards the Dievole estate.
Villa Dievole is at the heart of a modern wine estate producing over half a million bottles a year ...
... I was only able to make a modest dent in this total.
Dievole was probably the most luxurious hotel I stayed at ... I parked my bike away from the BMWs and Mercedes and showered before searching out the café ...
Kirby James
