One especially Italian sign that the good weather has returned, albeit rather later than usual this year, is the number of  clutches (yes, that is the correct collective noun) of motorcyclists travelling in convoys along our often spectacularly beautiful roads.

The other day such a clutch was collecting at the bar at the end of Chifenti. They were mostly the Florence chapter of Harley-Davidsons. The beauty of these machines and the way they were kept in order was absolutely stunning. Italians love making ‘una bella figura’ and this extends to probably the best-kept Harleys I’ve ever seen anywhere!

Founded in 1903 Harley-Davidsons have a truly cult following as these photos show. I never owned one preferring more mundane but perhaps more reliable Hondas. (If you want to read my history as a biker see my post at https://longoio2.wordpress.com/2015/04/09/four-wheels-bad-two-wheels-good/)