The next stage of our journey we were heading away from the coast and inland through Northern Lazio and Tuscany, and eventually up to Florence. Coming from New Zealand I was expecting areas of uninhabited countryside, however there are small villages and towns every half an hour or so. Very different to New Zealand.
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| Anguillara Sabazia |
We cruised around this beautiful lake (Lago di Bracciano) to our next stop. We got up early the next day, biked 5km to the first village and got ourself a coffee and a crossiant for breakfast. We were planning our biggest day so far - 76 km through rolling hill countryside. A lunchtime pizza stop in Viterbo kept us going but we were both pretty tired by the end of the day.
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| Our little house! |
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| We arrived in time for a beer by the lakeside. |
We had been passing alot of "agritourismo's" while biking through the countryside. Fortunately there was one conveniently placed for our next stop the - Agritourismo Fattoria Franciola. We were greeted by a friendly older Italian man and, with impressive use of the Google Translate app, he showed us where we could camp for the night. He showed up after we had set up our tent and offered us a glass of his homemade wine (this was about 3pm) in his cellar which was a cave carved out of the rock.
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| Great spot for a post wine snooze. |
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| Goodbye Lazio |
We set off the next morning after being woken early by multiple roosters and other farm animals (the downside to the agritourismo) with some apprehension as we were unsure just how challenging today's hills would be. We have found so far most of the hilly country roads pretty well graded but often long and tiring. This is when I get a funny podcast playing (Hamish and Andy is my favourite) and try and distract myself from the pain in my lungs and legs! Getting better at it every day though!
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| Gelato - another motivational tool! |
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| I'm glad I didn't notice this! (It's dead) |
We had a relaxing evening at a cheap and cheerful Airbnb in Chianciano. Its amazing how excited I have been getting to have a washing machine at my disposal, and simple pleasures like a couch and a bed are thoroughly appreciated.
We cycled through the beautiful Tuscan countryside, passed by lots of locals out for their weekend bike rides. Even saw a couple of girls this time!
Next stop- Siena
- Sarah
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