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Wednesday
5 May 2004 - Pienza to Siena
Today's
ride to Siena was due to be one of the highlights of the ride. Siena
had been especially earmarked as an overnight stop.
Inconvenient
in a journey's sense in that it was only a 35-mile stage. Yes, I
know it's barely more than Jane can run but after two difficult
stages it seemed an appropriate opportunity to take a breather before
some arduous stages.
Jane's
vision had been to sip expressos in the Piazza del Campo before
climbing the 330ft belltower of the Palazzo Pubblico to take in
the views of the city.
All
was set, the 35 miles were rattled off in little over two hours
but on arrival a few technical problems ensured that Jane and Luke
missed eating dinner. A consistent and heavy downpour more reminiscent
of the Lake District settled in for the day so there was no opportunity
to see the city.
By
seven this evening due to media commitments Jane had still not eaten,
was completely drenched and was thouroughly miserable.
Amazing
how the weather can alter moods. Riding the leg is only one aspect
of Jane's day as the media work is vital to the fund-raising it
also plays a big part. For example tonight Jane did two live TV
interviews at 5.45pm and 6.25pm, this involved a two-hour trek as
the satellite van was some distance from Jane.
The
interviews were outside, so inevitably it meant getting drenched
four times in two hours. Hard to imagine doing all that and being
so unwell.
Still
tomorrow the sun may shine and she is cycling between two of the
world's most beautiful cities Siena and Florence. When Jane crosses
the Ponte Vecchio tomorrow afternoon it may seem all worthwhile...
See
the full diary and bike route.
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