The beautiful Italian coast and mountain villages

Friday April 11, 2014, 166 miles (267 km) – Total so far: 1,795 miles (2,889 km)

April 9, 2014 46 miles We continued cycling out of Genova and it took another 1.5 hours to finally leave the city. In total it took about 3.5 hours to cycle the length. After that we turned south to explore more of the Italian Mediterranean coast. It was simply beautiful. After lunch we headed into the mountains as the coastal roads disappeared. The climbing was tedious but fun until we ran out of water. It was getting late and we were looking for water when we came upon a restaurant in the small village of Mattarana. I figured we would go in and have a quick beer, fill our containers, then head to a campground 12 miles away. Most of those that we have found are closed but I figured we could stealth camp somewhere. Jocelyn mentioned that there were rooms in this restaurant so I immediately inquired and it was also a hotel! What a score so late and after 4 big afternoon climbs. Also on the premises was an award winning restaurant where we enjoyed an excellent dinner. The room was very old fashioned and comfortable. What I really like about biking through Italy is the church bells (real bells clanging) that we always hear as we bike through the small towns.

April 10, 2014 58 miles We continued riding into the mountains on another beautiful day. Our goal for the day was another warmshowers host in the small village of Bargecchia, west of Pisa. We passed small town after small town until we reached the Mediterranean Coast once again. This coast of Massa consists of miles and miles of beach clubs preparing for the upcoming tourist season (May to September). Our host, Perla, said that she used to work there and families are charged up to $6,000 for the summer at their beach resort consisting of chairs, umbrella, showers, changing rooms, etc. They still have to pay for a hotel and food. Every once in a while there is a “free beach” that is clearly marked. It is incredible that these clubs own the beach in front of them. There are even sprinklers on the beach to give it the groomed look.

We found our way to Perla’s house high upon a hill. She was a great host and cooked us a delicious Italian meal that we enjoyed with two bottles of wine from a vineyard she used to work at. Plus she has two dogs that we thoroughly enjoyed as we are missing ours. Perla has traveled around the world, working and cycling and is planning for a 5 year world bicycle tour. What a great sleep we had.

April 11 2012 62 miles After a delicious Perla breakfast we left early for Pisa on a back route mapped out by her. In Pisa we visited the leaning tower then took off for Firenze (Florence). At first the riding was fairly flat but it soon turned hilly and we continued charging. We arrived in Florence on a busy Friday evening at 6:30 and soon found a nice hotel. We had though about taking a train to Rome but after cycling in busy, touristy, Florence we will travel north.

Genova (Genoa)
Genova (Genoa)
A pirate movie galleon.
A pirate movie galleon.
An interesting figurehead.
An interesting figurehead.
The Italian coastline is filled with villages like this.
The Italian coastline is filled with villages like this.

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What a cool house.
What a cool house.
The other side.
The other side.

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What a great place after climbing all afternoon and running out of water. The local house red wine was superb.
What a great place after climbing all afternoon and running out of water. The local house red wine was superb.
We stayed in the village of Mattarana on the high left. Every town no matter how small has a church. Reminds us of the mosques in Morocco.
We stayed in the village of Mattarana on the high left. Every town no matter how small has a church. Reminds us of the mosques in Morocco.

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A bicycle tree.
A bicycle tree.
Cool tunnel.
Cool tunnel.

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Another pretty Italian mountain village.
Another pretty Italian mountain village.
Our lunch spot on a free beach in Massa.
Our lunch spot on a free beach in Massa.

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Perla and her two beautiful dogs.
Perla and her two beautiful dogs.
Perla's home is to the right of the church steeple, left of the middle.
Perla’s home is to the right of the church steeple, left of the middle.
  Riding a road less traveled. Thanks Perla.

Riding a road less traveled. Thanks Perla.
Are we still in Italy? The first flat land we have ridden. Plus another working girl.
Are we still in Italy? The first flat land we have ridden. Plus another working girl.
We rode into this town called Pisa where there is a famous tower.
We rode into this town called Pisa where there is a famous tower.
No wonder the tower is leaning.
No wonder the tower is leaning.
Riding a bicycle to Pisa - a classic moment.
Riding a bicycle to Pisa – a classic moment.
Beautiful grounds.
Beautiful grounds.
A toast with an Italian beer.
A toast with an Italian beer.
Three days 166 miles.
Three days 166 miles.

One thought on “The beautiful Italian coast and mountain villages

  1. Ciao! La vie est belle!
    I think this is the way that we share the best of the tour…and I look forward to your updates daily. I realize that you are tired at the end of an interesting cycling day and appreciate these longer posts. The pictures are amazing, from Jocelyn’s phone? Thank you, merci, and love always, Andee

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