Day 20 Pontremoli to Santa Maria del Giuduce via Pisa

A long day was planned in order for me to meet up with Luke in Pisa which is a slight detour from the Via Francigena as well. And the personal milestone for me is that somewhere today I crossed 1000 miles on this trip.

I left Pontremoli later than planned because of the puncture from yesterday. Hurrying to make up time I covered the 65 miles to Pisa at an average of 14.4 mph, not bad considering all the weight in my luggage. Of course it was mostly downhill or level as I followed the Fiume Magra to the coast.

Passing numerous towns looking down into the valley gave the whole journey a surreal feel. Beautiful towns with castles and impossibly large churches with fabulous names like Villa Franca Babarasco and Caprigilia proudly looking down at us in the busy valley below.

The SS62 was very busy but in good repair. I had to slow down for endless numbers of traffic lights and roundabouts. Italian drivers don't like people to know where they're going. They come up alongside you as you negotiate a roundabout and will have a good look at you before deciding they want to cut across you and turn off. No indicating or any other curtesy like being in a sensible lane.

Eventually at the somewhat grubby town of Aula I diverged from the Via Francigena and carried on the SS1 towards Pisa.

After two very brief stops for milk and pastry and a banana. I'd run out of anything substantial to eat and as I approached Pisa on the dual carriageway SS1 I was starving. Traffic was overtaking me quickly but at least there was less chance of being cut up.

Finally, I arrived in Pisa at 2.15pm and got an astonished look from Luke when I told him I'd pedalled 65 miles to meet him for lunch. Of course the hug was lacking in enthusiasm but that could have been due to my being soaked in sweat.

A pizza and an ice cream later it was time for us to go or separate ways, Luke back to Florence and me onwards towards Lucca.

When I looked at the map last night there was a section which looked very odd. Something like a straight road with a 30% climb which I knew was unlikely. A small Boxhill like zigzag later and I laughed with relief as i realised thecstraight section was a tunnel! Finally someone is on my side😆.

Total distance today 72 miles.