The trouble with eating Italian food is that five or six days later you're hungry again.
George Miller
This morning, we packed up and cycled away from the lovely Agriturisma Elisabetta. We pedaled along the coast on the Cecina Mare promenade on another perfect day. You've got to love the "accommodations" at the beach at the Mediterranean resorts.
We followed the Strada del Vino, and drove down the Cypress Avenue, and through the Pine Forest. In the pine forest, I got conked on the head by a large pine cone (thank God I had the helmet!). It sounded & felt like a giant boulder, but apparently was good luck (although later, our group leader, Paolo, told the story of a famous Italian singer who was hit on the head by a pine cone and could no longer sing. Good news. I can still sing!). We had been hunting for pine cones in order to harvest the pine nuts, but couldn't find a good one. More good news! The pine cone that conked me was perfect for pine nuts.
We next rode to the little town of Bolgheri in the Castagneto Carducci region, famous for its vineyards and world renowned wines. We ate lunch there and explored the town, buying wines and drinking espresso.
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| Sharing a delicious panini lunch with Paul, the oldest member of our group, and the most hardcore biker. He has kicked everybody's butt, doing every extra loop and climb! |
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| Mimi sharing a laugh and an espresso with Richard and Debbie. We've really enjoyed our conversations and laughs with them and with their wonderful sons. |
After lunch, some more beautiful riding to our next "home," the Tombolo Talasso Resort in Marina Di Castagneto (26.2 miles later). This is a beautiful, oceanfront resort with a private beach, which we immediately enjoyed! Despite dire warnings, Jeanne took some pictures of Mimi & me frolicking in the sea, but I will spare you the pain and just include my feet, which are not much prettier (note the inflamed bunion from the uphill pushes!).
The highlight of the day was the trip to the home of Chicca, who has written books on Tuscan cooking. The whole gang got a brief course in Tuscan cooking, and the various dishes we were creating, and then we got to work. It was so much fun, and by this time in the trip we had gotten to know most of our fellow travelers pretty well. This experience "bonded" us even more. They're a fun, friendly, engaging group, and everyone pitched in (except, strangely, looking at the pictures, Jeanne is nowhere to be found!). We made and ate a feast of gnocchi, puttanesca sauce, risotto, vegetables, panzanella, bruschetta, and more. This may have been the best meal I've ever eaten!
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Steve and Susan. Susan stuck with us
(at the back of the pack) for many of the rides! |
Chicca, above, is demonstrating how to get pine nuts from a pine cone (not as easy as it sounds!). She is using the very same cone that conked me on the head in the pine forest :).
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