Scott, David, Tom, and i had a (relatively) early morning. After breakfast at the hotel buffet (featuring excellent whole wheat croissants), we hit the road by 8:45. We started with a terrific, if chilly, ride down to the valley floor (i maxed out at 46kph), then stopped briefly in Umbertide to take pictures. Apparently sometimes this tour puts the hotel stop in Umbertide rather than Montone — we felt we'd lucked out, given the gorgeous views, neat town, and great food in Montone. After that, we rode along the Tiber for awhile, then stopped for an early lunch of mediocre panini (egg and tuna) after about 20 km. We rode through the valley and then climbed to Assisi, arriving in mid-afternoon. Scott and i spent the rest of the afternoon wandering around Assisi, which was totally charming in the rain. In lieu of dinner out, we had pizza at the hotel, and played Citadels and Swedish Goat Game.
morning in Montone, fog in the valley |
fog leaving the valley, seen on the ride down from Montone |
still no shortage of fog in the valley |
looking across the valley |
eight-sided scaffolding in Umbertide, probably surrounding an eight-sided church, but who can say? |
taking a photo break in Umbertide |
first view of the Tiber River, in Umbertide |
bridge across the Tiber, in Umbertide |
Scott takes a look at the river |
looking back as we leave Umbertide |
Tom, approaching |
David, putting his camera away while riding |
David, approaching |
overgrown building by the roadside |
hexagonal window in a church we passed |
valley panorama |
view down the Tiber |
stream by the roadside |
looking across the valley |
David and Tom, approaching |
bikes (mine and Scott's) |
we saw these trees all over the place |
a field full of solar panels |
bare fields |
a roadside shrine |
the river again |
We were tired after riding on annoying high-traffic roads nearing Assisi, and stopped for gelato at this excellent place. I had lemon gelato, and espresso. |
clock tower next door to gelato place |
Scott and Tom at the gelato place |
Assisi! The city below, the Rocca Maggiore above |
getting closer to Assisi. The climb up was tiring, so i didn't take any pictures after this, in the interest of getting it done with. |
at the Porta Nuova gate |
view of the valley from outside Assisi's gate |
Tom, Scott, and David appreciate the view |
our room at Hotel Sole in Assisi |
our hotel room had a little balcony |
...which overlooked a narrow street with some shops |
St. Clare's basilica |
Assisi |
Assisi |
panorama of Assisi in the rain |
multicolored roof in Assisi |
street in Assisi, with another street below to the right |
Scott in front of a belltower in Assisi |
Scott, ascending a staircase |
World War II memorial, in a park in Assisi |
the Rocca |
street in Assisi, in the rain |
another window |
Later, for dinner, we got carryout pizza from this place and played board games back at the hotel. Not a successful experiment (though the pizza was fine) — after trying this once, we decided that we were on vacation to eat delicious 3-hour meals, and could play board games when we got home. |
another street in Assisi |
looking north from Assisi towards the mountains |
more mountains |
wall around the Rocca |
looking towards the Rocca and the mountains |
a closer look |
me, standing in a doorway in the rain |
Scott, standing in a doorway in the rain |
lion |