City Sized Antique Market in Arezzo and Ride From Gualdo Tadino
Yesterday called for rain so we opted for a non bike day and to go somewhere we had never been. We hopped the train right here in Spello and headed to Arezzo in Tuscany. It was about one and a half hours on the train. It was a short walk from the station to the historic center and we came upon their one a month antique market. Supposedly the largest one in all of Italy. Every street was full of vendors and it was an amazing site to behold.
The city itself was a pleasant surprise. It was very charming full of grand palaces and gorgeous churches. It was Palm Sunday and several of the churches we peeped our heads in were having services. Many locals we encountered throughout the afternoon were carrying olive branches (not palms like my childhood palm Sunday’s).
Jim did not want to take advantage of the free haircut and shave services offered on the street.
The next day the rain chances were diminished but there were high winds and cool temperatures. We decided to take a chance and go for it. We had to leave Spello before seven am to catch the 7:42 train out of Foligno. Then the quick train ride to Gualdo Tadino with the plan of riding the 30 or so miles through the hills back to Spello.
We got off the train and it felt pretty chilly to me. We did have hats and gloves and a couple of layers but I had opted for shorts rather than long pants which I was deeply regretting and that wind was a blowing. I was thinking we would perhaps have to abort after awhile and turn around to catch the train home. However, as the norm, the serious climbing started pretty quick and it seemed the challenge was to stay just warm enough but not to get too sweaty.
The scenery was truly wonderful. We felt pretty comfortable throughout the ride just having to stop now and again to add or remove layers as necessary!
The moody cloudy skies were beautiful and the wind was at our backs almost the entire time. We even had a five mile plus downhill run which you didn’t even have to turn the pedals. All in all glorious.
We passed through Assisi and we were thinking of hitting a restaurant for lunch but it was too early for restaurants to be open yet and it was just a bit too cool to hang out and wait. So we opted to just do a quick pass through Assisi and head back to Spello and eat at home.
Wow! Looks beautiful. So cool to happen upon the antique event. 19 degrees here this morning. Stay warm.
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