Cinqueterre/Pisa/livorno / follonica

Sunday, 28.5. (100 km/1600 m elevation gain)

After getting advice from Guiseppe and his companions, we are now taking the 'very beautiful, flat, and not closed route' through Cinqueterre instead of the originally planned shortest route to Livorno.

First, we climb for 15 km up to about 800 m elevation gain and then it's 'just downhill'.

Unfortunately, it's not like that and we struggle uphill from curve to curve in 39 degrees Celsius...

My water is empty, I have a headache, and I feel sick...

Patrick is holding up bravely!

After each curve, I hope that it's going downhill now, but unfortunately, that's not the case...

Finally, we find some shade and water and take a short break...

Then, finally, we reach the amazing panoramic road - fantastic and without much ups and downs. BUT at some point, the road is closed and we have to turn back.

As if that's not enough, I run over a screw and we have to (well, Patrick) change the tube...

Now we notice that my Schwalbe Marathon Tour Plus tire (the indestructible one) has 3 cracks of 1 cm each. Shit... (meanwhile, we have asked in 10 stores but none has Schwalbe, let alone a 26' tire)

Going further on the road, we are stopped due to a bicycle race...

We arrive at a campground completely exhausted... but - the gate is closed...

Just as we are about to turn around, an Arpe comes towards us and lets us in... There are only long-term campers and the toilets haven't been cleaned in ages, but whatever...

Finally arrived.

Monday, 29.5. (92 km)

We continue past Pisa (but at least we could take a photo).

It's always flat, but we are still exhausted...

We find a campground and are happy about very nice neighbors (Philipp and Susanne) with whom we cook and spend the evening together.

We also meet Rolf and 'red' Micha from Frankfurt - greetings to them at this point :)

Patrick: :III

Steffi: I

Tuesday, 30.5. (100.82 km/426 m elevation gain)

Off we go towards Follonica through Livorno... It's supposed to be flat and always along the sea, but it feels like it goes on forever - always straight on one road - our butts hurt - we are fed up!

Once again, 100 km... Today we have our first Warmshowers appointment with Roberta...

She cooks delicious pasta aigl et oilo for us and then we have buffalo mozzarella and ham from Tuscany... great...

Wednesday, 31.5.

REST DAY

Finally, a break to regenerate and go to the sea!!!