Wednesday, May 1st
The day started with a nice breakfast at the hotel, followed by a ride to the Torre Pendente for a few photographs with bikes.
We then headed off on the lovely 20km ride to Lucca, a fantastic walled city on the other side of the hills from Pisa.
In Lucca we looked for the two bike shops we had researched - Tony W for some cable work and me for a derailleur "hanger". The first bike shop was too busy hiring bikes to tourists, but the second seemed more interested in our problem.
But something was wrong - there were too many people out and about. Then we realised it was May Day holiday!
In bike shop number 2 we met Paladino, the owner, who suggested we go for a ride in the hills. This turned out to be a great experience - we went for a 20 or 30 km ride up into the wine country hills to the north of Lucca, and we felt very privileged to have met Paladino.
He dropped us back in Lucca, and we took a different route back to Pisa than the one we departed on. On the way back it started to rain, and by the time we arrived in Pisa the roads were quite wet, and slippery it turned out. Almost near home, and turning onto the bridge, Tony W went down on the wet and slippery cobble stones - the white ones are actually made from local Carrara marble:
Fortunately, the bike survived, and more importantly, so did the body - only pride was damaged.
We "celebrated" the day with a few beers, a lovely meal, and a few grappas in one of the many squares. Hopefully, every day from here will be similar (except for the crash).
Here is the Garmin ride profile for the day:
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