Randonnee Appenini

Randonnée Appennini

The Randonnée Appennini gives you the chance to experience classic riding in the heart of cycling-obsessed Italy. A tough but beautiful journey through historical landscapes; from the bare rock faces of Abetone to the rolling hills of Le Marche.

TRIP 1: 1st – 8th September 2012

In cycling obsessed Italy the Apennines have come to host some of the great road racing events in the international calendar; the classic spring stage race Tirreno – Adriatico, the epic L’Eroica in Tuscany and, of course, the Giro d’Italia.
For the Randonnée Appennini a new and exciting route has been created, one which is soon to become a classic of its own on the Randonnée calendar.

Key Climbs:
San Pellegrino, Monte Petrano, Monte Nerone, Monte Catria, Passo di Gualdo and Passo di Meta

  • Distance: 810km
  • Elevation: 16520m
  • Price: £2,600
  • Arrival hotel:
    San Luca Palace
    Via San Paolino 103
    55010 Lucca (LU)
    www.sanlucapalace.com

Day 1 LUCCA - MAGLIA ROSA
The adventure starts in the Tuscan town of Lucca, encircled by walls dating from the Renaissance. As we head northwards, the first major obstacle is the climb of San Pelligrino in Alpe, scene of many battles in the Giro including a famous head to head between Stefano Garzelli and Francesco Casagrande, where Casagrande conquered the 22% slopes to take the Maglia Rosa.

Day 2 PORETTA TERME - POPPI
Today’s stage is a hard but undulating glide through beautiful scenery, taking us from Poretta Terme over two challenging climbs to Poppi, a Tuscan town with Roman roots.

Day 3 POPPI - URBINO

“it’s on (Monte) Carpegna that I’ve prepared for all my victories – Carpegna is all I need”
– Marco Pantani

Today’s stage from Poppi to Urbino rides the training roads of the late Marco Pantani. The climb of Monte Carpegna is a hidden gem in the Appennini; a road closed to motor traffic, it was to Pantani what the Col de la Madone was to Armstrong. Before we tackle Carpegna’s seven kilometres of pain, half of which exceed a ten percent gradient, we’ll stop at Andrea’s cafe - a shrine to Pantani with memorabilia of all descriptions.

Day 4 URBINO - GUBBIO
Day four is set to be the toughest of the Randonnée taking in the fearsome climbs of Monte Petrano and Monte Nerone, which left many of the current stars of pro cycling on their knees after stage 16 of the 2009 Giro d’Italia. Michael Barry described the stage as…the hardest, most uncomfortable day I have spent on a bicycle.Resting place for the night is Gubbio, a town famed for its gothic architecture and annual palio.

Day 5 GUBBIO - CASTELRAIMONDO
The route for the penultimate day skirts around the Roman Via Flaminia and climbs up to the hometown of 17th century baroque artist Sassoferrato. The riding continues to be tough but highly rewarding as we head over the Monte Catria and end the day in the town of Castelraimondo.

Day 6 CASTELRAIMONDO - PIANO GRANDE
The final day crosses the Sibilini mountains to finish in the Roman town of Ascoli Piceno, taking in the Passo di Gualdo and Forca di Presta en route. Much of this final stage will traverse the area affected by the earthquake of 1997. Riding into the Piano Grande, situated in the Monti Sibillini National Park, will be a beautiful finale to an incredible journey.

Go to the La Fuga website »