5- Grand bicycle tour in Italy from 2011 (North Appenine Range)

In the evening I meet a nice girl with a lovely puppy and we have a good time and afterwards I will sleep near Case Grandi just at the southernmost point of Bologna.

Day 3) Bologna - Firenze I have a perfect day for cycling. It's a sunny day and I will cycle today in the North Appenine Range. The landscapes are quite pretty. I begin to climb.

I will have to cope with steep inclines.

I am cycling On SP65, strada del Marrone Biondo.

I am passing through traditional mountain villages where I come across interesting houses.

At Loiano I meet a splendid sculpture. Here I am lucky enough to get a donation from an old cyclist who was riding an expensive racer.

I cycle with him a few km and he is impressed by my courage and adventure. We enjoy fantastic vistas.

It seems in Italy the heroes are very appreciated. I encounter many monuments dedicated to their memory.

When I get to a statue of Holly Virgin, I stop and stand still thanking God for his generosity.

I carry on climbing and out of the blue I run into some pretty horses.

Soon I get to the top of the pass which is included in the BIG Challenge list. Hurrah!

On the descent I encounter plenty of flowers.

I simply love mother nature and I am fond of smelling flowers.

La Posta is the first locality from Toscana Region. I left Emilia-Romagna behind.

The cyclists, the champions, the sportsmen are quite appreciated in Tuscany.