Over breakfast I got chatting to an English woman who lives in Orange - where I started this trip! Then checked out and cycled up the hill to the old city. The main route (through a tunnel) was blocked, so I got a bit lost. Finally I found my way via the university campus to the midaeval church at the top of the hill, with a great viewpoint. Then back down to the docks to head south, but it wasn't long before more steep hills had to be crossed to reach the coast road. I was getting a bit worried about time, as it was 11am by the time I left Ancona. My route followed mountain roads for some way, then at last I hit the coast at Sirolo. Now on flatter terrain, a headwind was slowing me down a lot. I had lunch in a 'self service' which wasn't, in Porto Potenza Picena. From there I used small quiet roads between the coast and the railway where possible, but there were long sections where there was no alternative to the main SS16. At about 20km to go I treated myself to 66ml of beer.

The hotel Ferrara in San Benedetto del Tronto was very friendly. The owner had studied at Edinburgh. He recommended a restaurant that turned out to be closed, but I found a good alternative and had a nice meal while watching bits of five international football games. Celtic lost, and so did Borussia Dortmund, so I texted Astrid who supports the latter!

107km