Riding the rolling hills of Tuscany on the Gallo Nero Grand Fondo

John Walsh previews the route of an Italian Gran Fondo, taking in the rolling hills of Tuscany along with some delicious regional sustenance

Grapevines and Cipressa trees are typically Tuscan All photos: Chris Catchpole

Looking at the route profile confirmed what I had seen from the car window driving to the start — it was going to be a day of multiple ups and downs. The scenery around Radda in Chianti is typically Tuscan: rounded hills dotted with olive groves and lines of cypress trees. Stunning to the eye but hard on the legs.

Today’s ride is the route of the Grand Fondo Gallo Nero. It is a very hilly route with 3,384 metres of height gain in a little under 150 kilometres of riding and I am joined by some local expats.

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