By bike among the breathtaking views of Monte Argentario

WE SET OFF FROM OSTIA AT 8:30 AND REACH ANSEDONIA IN ABOUT 1H30M,

THE STARTING POINT OF OUR BIKE TOUR ON THE ARGENTARIO.

A WONDERFUL DAY, AND GOOD PHYSICAL CONDITION, SO WE START

PEDALLING THROUGH THE TOMBOLO PINE WOOD TO REACH PORTO ERCOLE AFTER ABOUT 7 KM.

WE STOP AT THE TOURIST OFFICE WHERE WE GATHER PRECIOUS INFORMATION AND MAPS ABOUT THE

ROUTE TO TAKE, AND WE SET OFF AGAIN.

THE TOUR BEGINS, HAVING PASSED THE CLIMB OF THE TOWN WE FIND OURSELVES IN FRONT OF TRULY

BREATHTAKING SCENERY!!! WE PEDAL AND PHOTOGRAPH OUR FEAT, 40KM LONG AND LASTING ABOUT

4/5 HOURS. WE ALSO COVER DIRT STRETCHES (4 KM IN TOTAL) THE ONLY ONES TO TELL THE TRUTH BECAUSE THE

ROUTE IS ALMOST ENTIRELY PAVED, BUT WHAT AN EFFORT THOSE 4 KM WERE!!!!

WE MEET TOURISTS (ALMOST ALL FOREIGNERS) WHO LIKE US ARE ENJOYING THE LAST DAYS OF SUMMER,

THE ISLANDS OF GIANNUTRI AND GIGLIO ARE IN FRONT OF US, STUNNING, SO WE TAKE NUMEROUS

PHOTOS!!!

AFTER ABOUT 25KM WE MEET A REAL CLIMB THAT REALLY TESTS OUR

PHYSICAL RESISTANCE. WE ARE FORCED TO STOP A COUPLE OF TIMES BECAUSE OF THE LENGTH OF

THIS ONE AND ABOVE ALL BECAUSE OF THE HEAT WHICH AT THAT TIME, AROUND 14:00, IS EVEN MORE

INTENSE. IN THE END WE OVERCOME THIS CLIMB TOO, AND THEN COVER A STEEP

DESCENT THAT IN A SHORT TIME BRINGS US TO PORTO SANTO STEFANO.

HERE WE MAKE A LONG STOP AND QUENCH OUR THIRST IN A BAR IN FRONT OF THE HARBOUR, WE DRINK ABOUT 2

GATORADES EACH (DELICIOUS... JUST WHAT WE NEEDED) THEN WE SET OFF AGAIN.

WE LEAVE PORTO SANTO STEFANO BEHIND US, AND FOLLOWING THE CYCLE PATH

WE REACH THE TOMBOLO PINE WOOD AGAIN.

WE COVER ANOTHER 3KM AND DECIDE TO MAKE A DETOUR TO REACH THE STUPENDOUS

TUSCAN BEACHES (SEE PHOTOS) STILL CROWDED. SO WE TAKE OTHER BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS,

PROMISING OURSELVES TO COME BACK AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

WE GET BACK ON THE SADDLE AND SOON AFTER WE MEET SOME FRIENDLY FALLOW DEER THAT, CURIOUS ABOUT MY BISCUITS,

COME CLOSE TO ME, ENOUGH TO STROKE THEM,

I GIVE THEM SOME BISCUITS, AND WE TAKE THE LAST PHOTOS OF THIS BEAUTIFUL, INDEED VERY BEAUTIFUL

DAY.

IN SHORT, IF LIKE US YOU LOVE THIS KIND OF ADVENTURE, DON'T HESITATE TO REACH THIS

AREA.

UNTIL THE NEXT ADVENTURE

CLAUDIO AND LUCINO (1 SEPTEMBER 2010)