Aria Fresca

We did indeed ride 52 km with hundreds of cycling afficionados, departing from the walls of Lucca about 9 AM. The route followed the poplar tree lined fiume Serchio, past fishing shacks on stilts with nets hanging like draperies to the turn-around destination at Oasi Lipu on the shores of Lake Massaciuccoli. At several rest stops along the way, cyclists could pause for an espresso or snacks and be entertained by live opera music - a violinist, a soprano w/ keyboard accompaniment, and a trumpet-viola duet. The aria sung al fresco was stunning and a great reason to stop and walk one’s bike over the steep bridge across the canal. At the end point, we took a naturalist led tour (in Italian!) of the marsh reserve and learned about the wildlife that Puccini liked to hunt. Giacomo’s home at Torre del Lago across the lake was his composing sanctuary and hunting lodge.

We got back to Lucca just in time to catch the pomp and pagentry of the battling ballestrieri. Upon our arrival we got to see the last of the procession bedecked in medievel dress swinging flags and banging drums. Further along on Le Mura at one of the grassy baluardos, the cross-bow (ballestrieri) competition was just beginning. The teams were dressed in medieval clothing, embroidered badges identified their ‘quartiere’, their hand-made cross-bows identical to those used in the 1500-1600’s. Great skill is required to aim the heavy and cumbersome cross-bow and hit the target, one must also consider the wind factor.