Sant'Anna di Camprena to Perugia

Not so many kilometres today but we've come to expect there are never any easy days on this ride. Despite being less than 100km, Dylan still managed to find some nastily steep climbs to make us suitably tired at the end of the day.

After breakfast at the former monastery of Sant'Anna di Camprena we were bound for a bit more Hannibalic history around the shores of Lake Trasimene. First however we headed for coffee at the delightful hilltop village of Montepulciano. A long slow climb ensured that we were ready for the recuperative powers of a cafe corretto sambucca.

On the climb up to Montepulciano

Lake Trasimene was the site of one of the major battles of the second punic wars but, to be honest we were more interested in food, specifically lunch, at the time. A delicious gorgonzola and walnut pasta at a restaurant overlooking the lake, oh and the preceding obligatory gelato, was followed by a climb into the hills above the lake where, it is said, Hannibal lay in wait for an unsuspecting Roman legion. As they, the Romans, were caught on a thin strip of land Hannibal's men descended and, with great gusto, despatched some 30,000 Roman soldiers. The name of a small village we passed through: Borgo Sanguinetto (Bloody Village), bears testament to the battle.

Looking back down on the Trasimene Lake and, presumably, the battleground where 30,000 Romans were killed.

Next followed some seriously steep climbs, which I might add it was possible to skirt around as at least one inadvertently managed to do. The climbs themselves are not so bad (although not everyone would agree) but the descents on the increasingly deteriorating road surfaces are just plain uncomfortable. My poor bike's front end has had the daylights shaken out of it (but it's still in one piece at least).
Mick, Richie, Chrissie and I ducked in for a beer at a bar with just 2km remaining as we knew we were going to be out of town and didn't know the situation at our overnight stay vis a vis the availability of liquid refreshments. We needn't have worried. Another fabulous destination: one of the best on the entire Hannibal ride I dare say. Craft beer, roasted almonds, tasty olives... a perfect end to a hard day's ride. Dinner was spectacular as well and I'm looking forward to breakfast.

Sir Rustalot standing guard outside my room in the 13th century castle

and the sun sets behind a cathedral on the ridge

Entrance to Castello di Monterone, our overnight home in Perugia

Frederika, Phillip and Christine arrive at Castello di Monterone

Caught this one peeking through the bushes

Looking out from one of the gardens at Castello di Monterone

Finally, for this episode at least, I should mention that Felix came good on his promise of a book for Mick and I after we both completed the challenge of the wickedly steep climb up to the marble mine. As there was only one book we had a guessing competition and I lost. Mick got the book and I got a consolation prize of a jersey designed by one of Felix' mates. How does black, pink and dark green go with red? We shall see tomorrow unless the fashion police are out in force. Aaron received a cycling motif keyring for generally being a nice guy as well as the strongest rider amongst us. Thanks Felix.