BAC Le Marche - The Adriatic Coast to the Sibylline Mountains 2010

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Jesi to Piane Di Montegiorgio

The group was nervous about today’s ride. It was advertised as being 53 miles with 5200 feet of climbing. This meant and early breakfast (6:30) for some and an early departure (7:30 for some). Because the ride’s difficulty was just slightly higher than some of my Bay Area rides, I was not worried until I saw the threatening clouds. We can’t get consistent weather reports. The predictions change every few hours.

I left the hotel around 8:00. It was warm enough for me to take off my jacket on the first climb of the day. I was riding solo. I caught the front group after about 18 miles. We then played leapfrogged for several miles including a stop I made in Chiesanuova for water. I continued with the group until steep downhills and uphills split us up.

When I reached Pollenza, our route was blocked by a barrier. I was routed around the town in a different direction. This became a magic moment because I heard music behind the walls of the town. I went through a town gate and rode down the main cobblestone street to the main square where a band, dressed in dark blue uniforms were playing for the locals.

I left the town at the barriers. Dave and Sue were there deciding what to do. We convinced ourselves to ignore the road closed sign and to continue on our cue sheet route. We did this, but I lead them on a wrong turn going down a steep hill. I realized my mistake quickly and we trudged back up the hill to the correct course. We had a decent downhill which I took advantage of. I lost my companions who were more conservative than I.

I crossed the autostrada and soon hit one of our steepest climbs of the day. It was short and steep (12% or more). It was here where I caught up to Hal, Kathy and Margie. We rode together for a while as we looked for a place to eat lunch. We soon passed a huge park with lots of Italian families doing their park thing. I noticed a bar/restaurant sign so we went into the park past the park police who were keeping cars away from the walking paths. We circled the entire park until we saw a sign for the bar. I had a panino with cheese and salami and a lemon granita. We sat on chairs outside the bar’s door eating our meal and watching the people while we felt a few light sprinkles.

The three of them left before I did but I followed them shortly. When I got back to the main road, I was retracing my steps when Dave and Sue rode by in the opposite direction. Because I was going the wrong way, I turned around and caught up to them on the next hill. They stopped on the hill so I was riding solo for several kilometers until I reached Margie, Kathy and Hal. This was right after another 12% or more short climb.

We rode together for a few kms, but soon it was Margie and me. The two of us pedaled the rest of the way to the hotel.

The ride was spectacular. It was challenging but very doable. The hilltop towns were fortified with thick town walls. All of them had at least one church and one main piazza. The ridge tops gave us panoramic views of the hills and valleys on each side. We could see mountains in the distance with snow on their peaks.

Here is today's route.

San Paolo Hotel was nice. Ann liked its swimming pool, although the water was cold (which she likes) and the weather was not cooperating. At 5:00 the rain had been coming down for an hour. We had a large corner room. We could look out one window and see several horse stables and gardens. The other window had a view of the hills across the main road.

Happy Hour was at 6:00. Dinner was at 7:30 in the hotel’s restaurant. We pre-ordered our meal. I had penne pasta in a tomato sauce with shrimp as a first course. Ann had risotto with zucchini. We both had fried fish as a main course. We also had a salad with tomato and ice cream for dessert.

At 9:20 and we were getting ready for bed.