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Well, after adjusting saddle heights, pumping tyres, stocking up water bottles, and tweaking helmet straps, we finally made it along to the Leaning Tower…our starting point for the journey!

After our great team photos, police escorting and Italian journalist interviews we were on our way, zooming along the small painterly streets of the adorable Pisa! 25km in, one of the chaps whose bike went walkies, finally met us with a new set of wheels. Amir obviously was sponsored to cycle from Pisa to Rome, so as he had only joined us at this point, he very bravely cycled back to Pisa, then back along the route to meet us about 60km later! That’s what I call hardcore and true to the cause!

Cycled through some beautiful olive groves, vineyards mixed in with some nice hill climbs (the group thought I was nuts for enjoying them!). Pulled into our hotel in San Vincenzo which was ever so conveniently situated next to a beach! Trying to convince 27 people that this ice cold water is great for the muscles was no easy feat! Bit of a surprise shock was my jelly fish sting remedied with a very effective cream from the local pharmacy after no offers came in for a urine “donation”. Beautiful sunset eased the pain of the legs followed by some perfect food and a good eyeful of the cosmos above in this low light pollution haven. Buona notte!