Cycling in Tuscany: Bike Riding and Wine Tasting

Our excellent adventure with InspiredItaly.com continues. This is day Three of our Six day cycling tour through the valley roads of Tuscany. Today’s ride, takes us through the valley between Umbria and Tuscany to Cita di Umbertide before our mid point in the fortified hilltop town of Montone and culminating with an evening of wine tasting and fine dining at Girasoli Di Sant’andrea.

The ride is a 36 mile ride with mostly flat to slightly rolling terrain with one climb in the middle up to Montone at about 1600 feet of elevation. The climb itself is a bit under 4 miles and the gradient is between 5 to 7%… so not bad at all. After descending from Montone, we did a loop to the North and reconnected with the valley roads that brought us home.

Umbertide is a small city in the valley that has a lively World War 2 history and the design of the town square is clearly done so to ward off the number of attacks that could occur because of its position in the valley. There is WW2 plaque memorializing some of it’s citizens.

Montone, was one of my favorite stops of the entire trip. It’s fascinating to consider how they managed to construct a fortified hilltop town so many years ago. The town maintains it’s character with very little influence of modernization and offers incredible views.

Wine tasting and a tour of the factory was done by Ursula Griti, a very gracious host and President of Girasoli Di Sant’andrea… a business she proudly runs with her Son and Daughter. From the wine tasting we walked accross to Ristorante Simone Corsetti ai Girasoli, which sits on the same property, for a wonderful evening of dining of fellowship.

Of note, upon our arrival at the restaurant, we ran into a lively American group from Colorado who were visiting the region for wine tasting. This trip continues to exceed my expectations.

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