Day number two. 7.30 am.
Davide is already closing his backpack.
“Vieri I’m going out soon. Today we got a long road and the arrival in Radicofani is marked as difficult … better if I leave early! Did you sleep well?”
“Wonderful! I’ll rest a little bit more and then I come too … definitely I’m visiting some little towns on the way, maybe we can have breakfast together in Bagno Vignoni!”
The little bit more becomes an hour.
Lazy as I am always in the early morning, I finish loading the Brompton only at 8.30.
Roberto – the man we met yesterday – is still filling his trolley walk.
“See you in Radicofani tonight man! Good journey!” – I greet him, before leaving silent San Quirico and approaching the countryside while dawn and dew are playing with each other (Photo 1).
Once in Bagno Vignoni (Photo 2) I find out that Davide somehow lost himself in the fog and continued alone. The weather is still drowsy, but I feel the sun is coming soon.
I know what is awaiting me – fifty kilometers between hot, sweat, dirt and different uphills – so I can not give up a hearty breakfast.
Radicofani tower rises at more than 850 meters above sea level and is a mirage accompanying me throughout the day. I notice it at a glance as I pedal towards Rocca D’Orcia (Photo 3) and again entering Castiglione D’Orcia (Photo 4).
These are the first two Grands Prix of the Mountain I have to challenge today, to be followed by those of the many hills around Siena (Photo 5) and Bagni San Filippo one. At noon I reach its hot springs (Photo 6 and 7), where I can rejuvenate myself – body in hot water and nose in the cold air – for a couple of hours.
I see many beautiful things: VIDEO
And then the last, neverending, 9 kms.
Pure climb. One of the toughest stages – according to many – of the whole Via Francigena.
I didn’t do it all, but I can imagine that’s the truth when I’m forced to hand push my loaded bicycle on this quite vertical road (Photo 8).
I catch up with Davide right before we begin it. Chatting relieves the effort.
“Did you see Roberto today?”
“No. I had a few detours and I didn’t come across him. But he started after me anyway, for sure he will end the stage only after dark!”
“Yes, I believe it. I was always on the path and I didn’t see him either … I hope he can face it at his age!”
Naive. The sunset surprises us when we are still in the mud – the master of the last two kilometers of trail – disappearing behind Amiata Mount (Photo 9).
Tired but happy we move between the beautiful medieval streets in Radicofani, before getting to the cozy communal hostel we are staying in for the night.
Giovanni, a young silent man from Parma, opens us the door with his great and sincere smile.
He arrived today by bus to resume his pilgrimare from where he had stopped last year:
“Welcome! We were expecting you! “
“Thank you Giovanni! We?”
“Yes, upstairs there is another guy who’s been here for a while. He told me you were heading Radicofani as well … He is as tall as an oak!”(as we step in)
“Ooooh! Guys, finally! I was starting to worry! “
“Roberto … but when the f*** did you overtake us? How come we didn’t see you?”
“Guys … even at 60 EVERYTHING is possible, you just need to go for it! You are not tired, right? How about having some wine for dinner and then losing ourselves in the castle tonight?”
EVERYTHING is possible.
Just go for it.
..k..uk..s.. for et vakkert skap du har Moa…NÃ¥ ble jeg nesten stum jeg… skjønner godt dette er et smykke i stua di…Ønsker deg en fin kveld…Klem Kerstin