Today ... instead of going round in circles ... I was heading north to Strada-in-Chianti via Greve ... which I visited yesterday.
Emerging from the hotel the valley below was filled with smoke from many fires ... maybe Monday is the day to have your bonfire.
From Panzano I descended on a strada bianca towards the main road to Greve.
As it was all downhill ... I soon arrived back in Greve.
This seemed a good opportunity to seek out a café and to take on provisions ... as it wasn't clear whether there would be any other chances on the way to Strada.
From Greve I turned eastward to start the 7 kilometre ride to climb 300 metres up to Passo del Sugame.
The road is relatively easily graded ... so the climb is not too taxing if you take your time.
Once over the top the road descends through an elegant series of serpentine curves.
I was not the only cyclist enjoying sweeping around the bends ... although all the others seemed to be going faster than me.
After the bends the road continues to descend ... more gently now.
The road joins a stream running down the valley and passes through the village of Dudda.
Soon after the Borro del Cesto joins the stream and together they tumble through a rock lined chasm near Ponte agli Stolli.
Beyond Ponte agli Stolli the trail climbs away from the Borro del Cesto then drops into another river valley ... before beginning a much longer climb towards Brollo and Poggio alla Croce.
The village of Poggio alla Croce is perched in the saddle between two hills and commands extensive views down the valleys on each side.
Strangely I couldn't find a café open ... so reluctantly had to press on towards San Polo.
Fortunately San Polo had several cafés to choose from.
I selected the Unione as it had a wide awning ... and seemed to have more customers than the other bars.
After a very leisurely lunch in the shade ... I stirred myself and rode the last few kilometres along the Ema valley to Strada-in-Chianti.
The hotel in Strada was just part of a villa which had been in the same hands for eight generations.
I was able to sit on the terrace and drink ice-cold drinks ... until it was time to go out for an evening meal.
Kirby James
