Cycling the Apeninnes
We have an idea for a trip that has been brewing and stewing in our minds since summer 2019 when we visited the Sibillini National Park in central Italy. The Park is located in the Apeninnes Range, which is a 1200 km spine of tall mountains that run almost the length of Italy. It has some spectacular riding and scenery with its highest peak, the Corno Grande at 2912m, which is also the second highest peak in all of Italy.
However, sadly the area is known for something else, something very deadly. On October 30, 2016 and on April 29, 2017 two massive earthquakes hit parts of the Sibillini and entire villages were levelled and lives were lost. Many of the villages hit have started to re-build but they will never regain their former self, as the costs to remove thousands of tons of rubble prior to total reconstruction are prohibitive. But in some villages there are signs of economic life. Castelluccio for example still sees many tourists coming to not only look but also more importantly to spend their money. The locals that we spoke to definitely want the tourists to come back and visit. There are many residents that are absolutely refusing to leave their village and region.
Our idea is to run a bike trip in a stunning region that needs plenty of economic help. The cycling is fantastic, but this is a definitely a Gravel Bike Tour as the asphalt road surfaces are rough and therefore not really suitable for your lovely carbon frame. So we will include the bike rental in the price.
The accommodations are good but not 4 stars as we are staying in the middle of nowhere and many of the hotels have been destroyed. The food is some of the best that we have sampled in Italy; delicious, flavourful and so Italian!
Casteluccio, Sept ‘19. Yes, that is rubble. Zoom in.
The riding. In a word, “hilly” with plenty of climbing and descending on low-traffic roads. If this area had the same asphalt as the French or Swiss Alps it would be over-run with cyclists, as the riding and scenery are superb. But it doesn’t, which makes for a bit of an adventure. If you are up for something really different, we have something quite special for you.
… and yes we can do E-Bikes for this trip.
Send us a mail if this is something that you would fancy doing or would like more information. We know that it is not for everyone but we also know that we create some very Unique-Bike-Trips as well. Just click on the button below to get started.
Your programme would be a flight into (and out of) Rome or Firenze, then a train to Spoleto where the trip starts. Rome is closest. At the moment we are still working on the logistics so there is not a final price yet. Please click below for more information.
Even if you do not ride with us in the Apeninnes, you really should visit the beautiful area by car, foot or bike. We would be happy to provide you with more information.
Apeninnes Ride Difficulty: 7-10/10
Plenty of up! And of course plenty of down. The road surface is what makes this trip a little tough not to mention that you can climb to the Gran Sasso and add in Blockhaus if you wish. We can also tame down this week-long ride to accommodate “us mere mortals.”
A note on Blockhaus; it’s a ridiculously steep climb that has been in the Giro seven times since its first appearance in 1967. Ask Mr. Merckx. 2000m gained in 22k. Now, about that E-Bike …
Pretare central Piazza and Church or what is left of it.
Pretare before the earthquake. Image from Google Street View, August 2011.
Pretare, after the earthquake Sept 2019.
Pretare Sept. 2019