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Emerging into the warm sun we remount our bicycles and head further south into the countryside.  Our destination is the hill town known as San Casciano.  This little town boasts a medieval historic center surrounded by a 40-foot stone wall.  We stop in San Casciano's park for its fabulous panoramic views of the rolling countryside.  Monday's are special, as the park is the site of the weekly market.  Unlike the Florentine markets, the San Casciano market is for the locals.  One can buy everything from fresh produce to candles made from bee's wax.  After a few Kodak moments we pedal into the historic center for lunch.  We eat at the Cantinetta del Nonno, a small trattoria run by three partners who are respectively, cook, cashier, and head waiter.  Lunch includes a choice of what the Italians call "primi" (pastas or soup), a large salad, dessert, and unlimited water and wine.  The pasta dishes vary from the simple, gnocchi with fresh pesto, to the more complex, spaghetti con vongole (clams).  Dessert is always a tough choice between mousse al ciocolato, tiramisu, crem caramel, and other fabulously decadent treats.

     The ride after lunch takes us deeper into the countryside.  We often stop for pictures as we descend down into the valley below San Casciano.  From our high vantage point, the rolling hills of Tuscany seem like a giant quilt made up of vineyards, olive groves, and cypress trees.

     We pedal through the sleepy little villages of Cerbaia and Chiesanuova.  In the hours immediately following lunch there is an amazing calm in the countryside.  We are serenaded by the wind and crickets as we slowly make our way along.  We pass an apple grove and sunflower fields.  Some days we see small herds of sheep that are more interested in chewing wild grasses than cyclists.

     In Chiesanuova we stop at a bar and enjoy cool beverages under an umbrella.  The end of the ride offers beautiful views of the Arno river valley.  In mid-afternoon we come around a corner and see in the distance the huge red dome of the Cathedral of Florence.  Standing over a bicycle in the countryside, Florence seems more beautiful than ever.  Perhaps it is the absence of cars or the different visual perspective, but one can't help but feel at awe with the beauty of the city.

Tours are back in Florence by five o'clock.

The day tour costs 60 Euro and includes:

• Shuttle by private van in and out of Florence
• 21-speed hybrid bicycle (fitted to your measurement)
• Hearty lunch in a small trattoria (wine and dessert included)
• Visit to the house of Machiavelli (closed Monday and Tuesday)
• Visit to the hill town of San Casciano
• Bilingual tour guide
• Helmet and water bottle

For more information see www.bicycletuscany.com.  Reservations can be made on-line.

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