‘My God, where have you been? To Florence?’ says Stefano, the general manager of La Serena, a new hotel in the Tuscan resort of Forte dei Marmi (known locally as Forte).
He’s referring to my setting out after breakfast on one of the hotel’s complimentary electric bikes and it’s now past 6pm.
It’s time well-spent. The terrain is flat, the roads quiet and a scenic cycle lane hugs the seafront all the way to neighbouring Viareggio with its liberty-style architecture (Italy’s answer to Art Nouveau). I’ve clocked up 20 miles.
Mention Tuscany and images of medieval hamlets…