Bob and Ann in Italy 2011

View from the Road

We left Massa Maritima this morning in perfect weather again. We coasted down the city streets and then turned onto a true country road. There was almost no traffic as we wound through vineyards and olive groves at a leisurely pace. Soon we reached several very short, very steep climbs. I was riding with Julie Leever, Deborah Chamitoff and Ron Youngash. All of us had to walk our bicycles on some of the steeper pitches. After 8 miles, the road bent down and we rode downhill and flat stretches all the way into Piombino – about 24 miles.

The downhill section was through vineyards and forests. The flat section was through huge agricultural farms. It reminded my of the Salinas Valley area in California. I don’t know all of the crops that were growing there, but we saw workers picking artichokes on one farm.

Our group split up as we neared Piombino . I rode solo for a little while until we got to town where I missed a turn. As I backtracked a couple of hundred feet, I met Deborah and Ron along with Doug Jacober. We rode together to the port where we bought tickets and boarded the 11:30 Toremar ferry to Elba.

Lora Ellis, Sharon DeQuine and Matt Wathen Relaxing on the Ferry

It was a relaxing one hour ride on the ferry. It reminded me of the Seattle ferries where you tie up your bicycles on the inside and then go to one of the several decks to wait out the ride. Almost everyone in our group caught this ferry so we could sit around and chat to pass the time. I went out to the outside decks for fresh air and photo ops. This was after eating a tuna sandwich and drinking some peach tea that I bought at the snack bar.

After arriving in Portoferraio in Elba, we got on our bicycles again and rode south across the island to Porto Azzurro. There was a little confusion at first about which way to turn, but we soon got it straightened out by following Don Martin, the senior member on our tour. Experience pays off.

View from My Room

Hotel Plaza overlooks a small harbor. There are several sailboats and other pleasure craft anchored in it. Our rooms are small but comfortable and clean. The main road runs between our hotel and the harbor. My window is very close to it. Ear plugs will be used tonight.

Matt Walthen and I walked 1/4 mile into town and joined Kathy and Hal Bass at a shop that had sandwiches. They had not eaten on the ferry and I was still a bit hungry. I had a focaccia sandwich with salami and cheese. It was greasy but good. We ate at small tables in the shop but had to leave when the shop’s clerk turned off the lights. The custom in Italy is to close shops for a couple of hours in the afternoon for lunch and relaxation. We wandered through the harbor area and saw tourist shops and restaurants. Then it was back to the hotel for rest.

View of Porto Azzurro from the Hotel Terrace

We had a group dinner at the hotel. They served us pasta with a tomato based crustacean sauce and grilled mixed shellfish. For dessert, we had strawberries in cream. The dining room is on top of the hotel and overlooks the harbor with a fantastic view.

Today's ride is split into two parts.