Bologna to Florence?

brad68

Has anyone ridden this and how hilly is it. Off on Friday, we start from Bologna, then head down for nine days, ending up in Sicily.

Bc

mercsport

The S65 is do'able , as all Italian roads are . The A1 runs parallel to the S65 , pretty much over the hill to the west and siphons off most of the traffic leaving the S65 in relative peace .
I've only driven this road but was thinking for most of the time how I wished I was on the bike . It's certainly hilly , but nothing that'll shred you , unless the temperature is silly .
My experience of Tuscan hills are a few crossings and a couple of east/wests . They can be surprisingly tough . If you really go for the scenic , quiet routes , far harder over the length of a day than any alpine pass of my experience , particularly if you're loaded up .
If you're off to Sicily afterwards down the middle , Appenines , Abruzzo , Terni , Rieti , Benevento and Potenza maybe , the only mild shock you may experience is if you elect to ride through the middle of Calabria in the vicinity of La Sila , exceptional beauty and rugged as heck .
I did all this , a top to toe and back home again , about 15 years ago now and managed , with full touring kit , to average over a 100 miles a day then .
Regardless of which way you do it , it'll be a great trip . Italy is the best place in the world to pedal .

Bruce