We took the train from Bologna to Riccione, where we were met by the hotel's driver. Got set up with our rental bikes (don't get us started on the relative merits of Campagnolo versus Shimano!) and started meeting our fellow cyclists. Turned out that the 5 ride levels (leisure, panorama, explorer, road, race) had not suffered from grade inflation: we were solidly in panorama, and even there had to work hard to keep up. These folks are serious cyclists, and compared to a point-to-point tour vacation, this was all about the biking and very little about the touring. Each morning just after 9am, after a wonderful, gourmet breakfast buffet, we left, rode up into the hills, stopped for coffee and a snack at some castle or village, then rode back down for a sumptuous lunch buffet. Then some excursion or a relaxing visit to the spa in the afternoon, followed by another fabulous buffet dinner. Tough life!
Highlights of the week included the ride up to San Marino, which involved 11km straight of moderately steep uphill climb. But we made it, and the views on the way up and at the top were spectacular! The street fair in Sant'arcangelo was also lots of fun, as well as the picnic at hotel owner Marina's villa. And we do have to mention the masseuses at the spa, who were excellent.
Our guides, Paolo, Mauro, and Danilo, were really great. And it was special fun to catch up with Tom and Michelle.
