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     David organizes one-day bicycle tours in Chianti. For more information see www.bicycletuscany.com

     Just south of Florence there is a little known road called the Scopeti.  This road begins by traversing an ancient stone bridge over the tiny Greve river.  The road then climbs slowly into the beautiful Tuscan countryside.  A jumble of stone farmhouses surround the bridge.  Every morning at nine sharp, an 85-year old Italian steps out of his home and begins his daily walk up the Scopeti hill.  On the hottest days he is always impeccable in his blue cotton pants and print button down shirt.  No Reeboks or Walkman accompanies him on his two mile hike.  As he walks he swings his arms energetically to maintain his cadence.  If you pass him and say, "Buongiorno!" he will respond with his own, "Buongiorno" and nod as if it were a common occurrence to find an 85-year old man taking long walks along a country road.

     This gentlemen and I have gotten quite used to greeting each other.  I pass him when I lead my one-day bike tours in Chianti.  My company, Bicycle Tuscany, organizes single-day bicycle tours in the countryside south of Florence.

     Our tours begin with a shuttle by a private van out of Florence.  The shuttle takes us out of the city and away from the busy traffic.  We drive to a small town called Tavarnuzze where we begin our ride.  Our 21-speed bikes are hybrids with lightweight aluminum frames.  The bikes come in three different sizes to guarantee a good fit.

     The tour is an 18-mile loop in the countryside.  The route has been carefully designed to show the richness and beauty of the area.  The ride begins by crossing the Greve River and greeting our 85-year old walker.  We continue uphill until we reach an ancient property that once belonged to the Machiavelli family.  In the early 1500's Nicolò Machiavelli composed The Prince while residing at this farmhouse.  Today the villa is part of a winery/restaurant complex called the Albergaccio.  I have become friendly with the restaurant manager Claudio, and everyday (except Mondays and Tuesdays) he gives me the keys for our own private tour of the house and winery.  The house features beautiful antique furniture and prints of Machiavelli (no pun intended).  However, the best feature of the property is certainly the cavernous underground winery.  Descending stone stairs we enter a cool cavernous underground complex.  The strong bouquet of red wine and oak tells you exactly where you are.  Below we find oak barrels filled to the brim with Chianti's best red wines.  Following an underground passage we peer down an ancient well and see modern wine making equipment.  Wine tastings and purchases are available on request.

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