Tuscany - 2004 - Diary and pictures
La dolce vita
Sun, good food en very steep climbs! From Pisa through Volterra and Sienna we crossed Tuscany. The bike lasted longer than photocamera. Even before we reach Italy our digital camera cracks down. Since we didn't bring another camera, there are no pictures of this holiday. The bike brakes down on the second day. A welding on the chainstay breaks in a really steep descent. It's a matter of warranty by Koga, but there we are... With the help of the Italian ANWB (AA, ADAC, AAA or whatever the automobile Association in your country is called) we end up in the small village of Colle di Val d'Elsa. The bike is transported on a towing ambulance, o what a pitty the camera broke down. From Colle we made day trips to Florence en Sienna. We visit Sienna just before the Palio, a beautiful and lively event and a magnificent town. Koga sends a complete new rear triangle, but who can fix it in this hamlet? But then we make a huge discovery. Just outside this village with less than 3000 inhabitants there is a brand new building with a high-tech flashy bike shop. The owner is willing to repare our bike and he does so with true skill, untill now (may 2008) our bike never had a problem again, anyway on this issue. After 4 days without our bike we restart our Tour de Tuscany. What a fantastic area! Great climate and delicious food!
Besides the km's in Italy we rode approx. 400 km in the Netherlands and Belgium as well. We flew from Charleroi airport to Pisa and the trip to and from the airport we cycled as well. Actually, on our way back, after a sprint of 170 km we found our Waterloo in Roosendaal. Litteraly, the monsoon which was chasing us decided that our holiday was over a little early. So we jumped on the train, since the next day was expected to be just as bad. And after 2 weeks cycling in 30 degrees celsius and sun you really don't look forward to that.
Sun, good food en very steep climbs! From Pisa through Volterra and Sienna we crossed Tuscany. The bike lasted longer than photocamera. Even before we reach Italy our digital camera cracks down. Since we didn't bring another camera, there are no pictures of this holiday. The bike brakes down on the second day. A welding on the chainstay breaks in a really steep descent. It's a matter of warranty by Koga, but there we are... With the help of the Italian ANWB (AA, ADAC, AAA or whatever the automobile Association in your country is called) we end up in the small village of Colle di Val d'Elsa. The bike is transported on a towing ambulance, o what a pitty the camera broke down. From Colle we made day trips to Florence en Sienna. We visit Sienna just before the Palio, a beautiful and lively event and a magnificent town. Koga sends a complete new rear triangle, but who can fix it in this hamlet? But then we make a huge discovery. Just outside this village with less than 3000 inhabitants there is a brand new building with a high-tech flashy bike shop. The owner is willing to repare our bike and he does so with true skill, untill now (may 2008) our bike never had a problem again, anyway on this issue. After 4 days without our bike we restart our Tour de Tuscany. What a fantastic area! Great climate and delicious food!
Besides the km's in Italy we rode approx. 400 km in the Netherlands and Belgium as well. We flew from Charleroi airport to Pisa and the trip to and from the airport we cycled as well. Actually, on our way back, after a sprint of 170 km we found our Waterloo in Roosendaal. Litteraly, the monsoon which was chasing us decided that our holiday was over a little early. So we jumped on the train, since the next day was expected to be just as bad. And after 2 weeks cycling in 30 degrees celsius and sun you really don't look forward to that.
Pictures
No pictures yet!
No pictures yet!