---
aliases: ["Long ride — 2025-01-18"]
Is A: Event
Date: "2025-01-18"
Belongs to: "[[2025-01]]"
Related to: ["[[person-luca-rossi]]"]
Tags: ["Health", "Sport"]
---
# Long ride — 2025-01-18
Solo long ride. 95km, 1556m elevation.

## Notes
- Climbed to Volterra from the south via Pomarance. A road less traveled — almost no traffic and beautiful views of the metalliferous hills.
- Geothermal steam vents near Larderello are visible from the road. The landscape looks otherworldly — pipes, steam, and the smell of sulfur.
- Felt sluggish for the first hour, then the engine warmed up. By km 40 the power was flowing naturally. Sometimes you just need patience.
- Stopped at a bar in Volterra for a quick espresso. The Etruscan museum was open — tempting but saved it for another day.
- Tried a new chamois cream — much better than the old one. No saddle discomfort at all despite 3.5 hours in the saddle.
- Descended via the main road toward Colle Val d'Elsa. Fast, sweeping bends through rolling farmland. Reached 72 km/h on the straight.
