Wow, can't believe it is our last day with Backroads. In a few hours we will be dropped back off at the Florence train station, where 6 days ago we all started the journey. In those days we have made new friends, conquered fears of hills (both up and down), compared bruises, scrapes and other assorted ouches, enjoyed amazing views, local scenery, food, wine and experiences and most of all, loved our trip.   
 
While most of our riding mates headed out for their last ride in Tuscany, Ken and I relaxed at the hotel. I actually wanted to ride, but the knee wasn't going to cooperate so we packed, had more coffee and got caught up on emails and what was happening in the world.  
 
The riders returned and we went down to say our goodbye's to Lynn and Edoardo. They have been exceptional in the logistics of getting us all from point A to point B, giving us Italian history and facts, and just being wonderful hosts. We would go on a trip with them again any time!! The question is...which trip?? Morocco, Vietnam or at Lynn's urging...the Dolomite's....who's with us???
 
With the bags and the group loaded on the bus, we left Tuscany for the 1.5 hour ride back to Florence.  At the train station we said our goodbyes to our great ride mates...who were heading off in various directions:
 
Cinnamon and Jason - We really enjoyed their company both on and off the bikes..heading back over the weekend to Central California.
 
The Salz family - What an amazing family! They were also heading home over the weekend, but Alex (who's grad they were celebrating from Penn) was coming back next week to bike from Norway to Istanbul before heading to MIT for grad school. I really enjoyed getting to know Lauren, who is working for a start-up in NYC.  
 
Hilary and Vince- So glad Hilary was OK from her spill! They are heading to Rome and then Cinque Terre on the Italian coast for the next 2 weeks. Can't wait to hear how Hilary does in the Ironman in August...we will be rooting for you!  
 
We took a cab to our hotel for the weekend, Relais Calvacanti, right in the heart of Florence and recommended by my friend Debby. We got settled into the room, and I started feeling hungry and exhausted. Funny thing, is that of all days, this was the least active in all of our travels. We found a cafe right next to the hotel and had a quick lunch before heading back up to the room for a rest. We both totally crashed for 2 hours, and woke feeling much better.  
 
By the time we got ourselves motivated to leave the room, it was 730p and the we decided to get in a good walk before deciding on dinner. We walked past cool clothes shops, lots of gelatarias and even more people enjoying the evening. We found a little Enoteca, which is a casual wine bar, got two glasses of Chianti Classico and sat outside on a bench to watch the parade of people. Enoteca's have free little snacks at the bar, such as potato chips, peanuts and little pieces of sausage. So, it is kind of like an Italian happy hour...all day. 
 
For dinner, we went to another of Debby's recommendations, Ciro and Son's (she is 2 for 2 in success rates!). It was a happening place with cool seating inside and a nice outdoor patio. We had a great dinner, and enjoyed chatting with the couple at the next table from Virginia. They had just returned from a Greek cruise and were spending a week in Florence/Tuscany.  
 
We wandered back through the streets and stopped by a little cafe next to the hotel for a night cap of Limoncello. Now to bed....