Who Says Two is better than One?

Since dreaming of a little apartment within the walls of Lucca, we have imagined the carefree moments bicycling around the wall.

The young and old ride round and round morning, noon and night. We scoped out the best bike rentals-nearby, least expensive, discounted for weekly rentals,etc.  We soon imagined weaving through the narrow ancient and medieval streets(Lucca has three walls… Roman B.C., Etruscan- Medieval, and Renaissance) with a stone tiles uneven and changing, twisting around bends to hidden courtyards or bright Piazzas.

We decided to find our way around on foot at first, get our bearings, assimilate to the unwritten rules of travel through the city.

The day has arrived to get the bikes.  After a couple of reversals of our thinking( rent for two weeks, 3 days, 1day….) we opt to try out a tandem bike for one hour.  We decide the city streets require much more agility and responsiveness so we will begin on the boulevard of the wall…Mura Urbane.

Riding a tandem bike, from a rental shop which mostly rents by the hour, is metaphorical experience to traveling for an extended time with your partner in a country where you are lingually challenged. You have to move in sync with each other, sensing the yin and yang, synergy of geese, leader and follower.. a veritable test of a marriage!  The bike shop owner adjusted the seats and off we go!  …  We soon discover, as with anything in life, there are barriers to be faced.  these barriers are perhaps more literal, yet  remind us of home!

Jersey Barriers Italian Style

Wobbling on, shifting weight to adjust ( and not fall off) we make our way to the wall. Nearly pitching ourselves up and over the handlebars we take a quick left up the hill to the top of the wall. Pushing harder -oops one person tried to coast while the other tried to pedal the gears slip tempers flash… are we having fun yet?

Deep breath, steady again, love you dear, ahh this is good… look out for the group of cyclers!

Deep breath, steady again, love you dear, ahh this is good… look out for the group of cyclers!

Switch places… okay let’s try again. Eventually we get our equilibrium … good thing we did not go with the 2 week rental!