World Italy Lazio Viterbo

Roamin' from Reims to Rome

Stage 28 Aquapendente to Viterbo 21 Sep 2018

Overview/ Highlights

We got away early again and although a few ups and downs we were climbing gradually. Stayed on the main road most of the morning and we skirted around the side of Bolsena Lake, but didn’t see it for ages due to hotels and houses along there.

Stopped in Bolsena for morning coffee. Conveniently it was right in front of a bike shop. Gaylene and I took the opportunity to buy a couple of local cycle print tshirts. After morning tea we had glimpses of the lake as we climbed up through olive groves. A 4 km segment on gravel roads with sharp climbs had Richard on the ground with his road bike and its skinny tyres. But luckily he was fine. At the top of the climb Ian and Goran chatted with a passing farmer who had been harvesting his Muscato grapes. He gave some to us and was on his way. Goran shared them with a couple of female pilgrim walkers who happened to be sitting nearby in the shade.

Not much later and we were climbing into Montefiascone... and what a fiasco it was. The route took us up a nearly impossible road to climb (Ian did though!) and as it was one way the wrong way we got off and wheeled the bikes up the very narrow road... as cars tried to squeeze down past us.

Lunch there in a delightful park with big shady trees and lots of bench seats... and a coffee place for those wanting a post picnic coffee. A final climb into the centre of town to a interesting square. As we descended the other side Lake Bolsena finally came into view. Time for a few photos before we quickly descended. Tom and Goran then took a very steep descent to the side of the main road, which was the marked trail. The rest of us decided we wanted to stay on the main road. So after a discussion at a distance we all agreed to meet further down where the 2 routes intersected. That ended up being much further on and after a couple of phone calls between the 2 groups we agreed to meet at the gates to the destination town, Viterbo.

Eventually we were all together again and rode thru the very old part of Viterbo to our accommodation which was split across 2 different old houses. Gaylene, Tom and I were in an old mansion with large rooms and elaborate period furnishings.

The town has lots of tiny alleyways, cobblestone streets and very twisty roads. Lots of atmosphere.

Had drinks in a bar before dinner then had dinner at the local grape festival. Great evening at the outdoor fair. Huge glasses of wine for €2. Band playing music. Jumping jack flag... 3 times!!! Fun evening.

Distance Today. 58km Total Distancer 1611 km

Elevation Gain 763 m

Weather

Overcast much of the day but hot when the clouds cleared. Tom and Goran only just avoided a storm in the route they took

Accommodation

B&B La Terrazza Medioevale. and

B&B La suite del borgo

Food

# Punctures 0

Total Punctures 5