So, the trip begins.... The bike tour group (Backroads) met at the Florence train station at 10:30 a.m. and of course I was early! I sat outside the station (on my luggage) looking for the Backroads guide but of course he/she was not there yet because it was only 9:30 a.m.
I think I was very nervous and anxious mainly because the last time I was on a bike outside of the gym was about 10 years ago. The only thing that was calming me down a bit was that the fact that Mark and Liz Meenan were also on this trip. Yeah, friends from home....that would make the trip easier and more fun! I was excited until Liz said that they bike a lot at home. Oh no! What was I doing? I'm going to try to do this...well the story begins....
Our group met and it seemed like a good group of people. Two friends of Mark and Liz were also on the trip. Joelle and Doug.....Don't even ask me to tell you their last name because I couldn't spell it if I tried. They seemed nice but guess what????....they also biked. Yeah for me! HA - I could see it now...I was on my own all week learning how to ride.
Our guide Mary showed up in her Backroads tshirt and the group gathered around Mary. People in our group were all ages and from all of the U.S....NYC, Hoboken, Florida, Seattle & Colorado (the mayor and his wife from Telluride were on this trip - bikers of course), Yes, most people have riden before and many with Backroads.
We all boarded the bus to our first destination...lunch at Castello di Gargonza and then our first ride to our first hotel...Borgo San Felice. 22 miles. I could do this!
Time to get my bike...I had an "extra-small" bike with upright handlebars and toe cages. Everyone else had bigger bikes, drop handlebars and the clippy shoe things. HMMM - I guess I was the beginner of the group. Please note that all bikes, helmets, and waterbottles had our names on it. We were riding through Tuscany with our names all over us. A little funny.
I explained to Ryon, my other Backroads guide, that I was new to biking and that I was a bit nervous. He said he'll watch out for me and if I didn't feel like biking/riding/cycling (whatever you want to call it) I can also stop and get in the van. A Backroads van follows the group on each ride and if you're tired or if you need help you can always get in the van. I swore to myself that I was NOT getting in the van the first day.
I followed Mark, Liz, Doug and Joelle. They all had drop handldbars and clippy shoes. I did not. They also had bigger bikes - no extra small. I was feeling pretty good about myself at this time. HA!
Anyway, I follwed the entire way and I did it! Yeah for me! I did it. The hills were hard and steep but I did it. My favorite part was just following because there was no way I could read the directions and ride at the same time. Everyone knows that I'm not good with directions even in a car so there was no way I would be better with directions while riding. No way! Thank you Mark, Liz, Doug and Joelle!
We rode 22 miles the first day. Yeah! I did it! Liz, Mark, Doug and Joelle all gave me pointers!
Oh, did I mention that it rained? Yes, it RAINED and my rain gear was in my suitcase on the bus. Smart. We arrived at our hotel, soaked but it was great!
Rain the was theme of the week!!!!! That night...our group had a happy hour and dinner. We introduced ourselves and ate a lot of drank some yummy wine! I was excited for tomorrow. Let's hope the rain stops!
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