ROME TO FLORENCE OFF ROAD

On demand

OVERVIEW

Discover the “Bel Paese”

Your ride starts next to the Colosseum in the heart of Rome and concludes in the Piazza della Signoria in Florence.

You will ride through several ancient trails like Via Francigena, the pilgrimage route from Canterbury to Rome. The ride will also include forest roads, mountain biking trails, low-traffic secondary and unpaved gravel roads.

One of the highlights of the tour are the Strade Bianche, which criss-crosses Tuscany and passes through the most breathtaking scenery in the region.

We have choose a mixture of local farm-stays and small hotels for your stays.

Tuscany is home to the Slow Food Movement: all of the food and wine provided is produced and prepared locally.

The most challenging aspect of this ride is the cumulative climbing with an average 1,500 meters of climbing per day.

This ride is designed to be challenging hence you should be comfortable with riding 4-7 hours per day. You will be able to ride at your own speed, but you should come to the tour in good shape.

Cancellation Policy

Refund and cancellation
Where, for whatever reason, one person is obliged to withdraw, the person must give written notice to Projecting Adventure Cyclism.
Refund will be calculated with this penalty:

Within 45 days from date of departure the penalty fare is 10% of the total cost of the trip. -
Within 30 days from departure the penalty fare is 30% of the total cost of the trip. -
Within 21 days from departure the penalty fare is 60% of the total cost of the trip. -
Within 14 days from departure the penalty fare is 75 % of the total cost of the trip. -
After this date no refund will be given.

No refunds for those who will not show at the start or withdraw during the course of the tour. No refunds for those who could not make the tour due to lack or inaccuracy of the personal travel documents (i.e Visa or Passport).

Traveler understands that some destinations pose more risk than other destinations due to weather conditions, political conditions and the geography of the region. Traveler acknowledges that factors such as, but not limited to, weather conditions, landslides, floods, flight cancelations or delays, strikes, labor troubles, failure of power, restrictive governmental laws or regulations, riots, insurrection, war or other reason of a like nature not the fault of Projecting Adventure Cyclism (hereinafter “Force Majeure Event”) can hinder, delay or even prevent the Traveler’s ability to make or complete the trip. Traveler acknowledges that the Projecting Adventure Cyclism shall not be liable to Traveler for any delay or cancelation of the trip due to a Force Majeure Event. Traveler shall not be entitled to a refund or any other payment for damages from the Projecting Adventure Cyclism in the event that the trip is cancelled or delayed due to a Force Majeure Event. Please note that we are never responsible for any airfare ticket expenses.

Included + Not included

The price includes

– Vehicles for the transport and assistance of luggage.
– Organizing and logistic team, including joker and mountain bike driver.
– 8 breakfasts, 8 lunches (en route) and 8 dinners.
– 8 overnight stays in hotels and rural houses in double or triple rooms, depending on the number of participants.

The price does not include

– Transport costs by plane and bicycle.
– Accommodation before and after the trip
– Lunch and dinner in Rome.
– Drinks and extra activities in hotels and rural houses.
– All services and extra transport before and after the trip.
– Transfer to the airport.
– Single room supplement.
– Everything not listed above PRICE INCLUDES.

THE TRACK

THE STAGES

DAY 01

Rome
Arrival of riders in Rome. Briefing of presentation. Overnight in Hotel.

DAY 02 – STAGE 01
Roma – Bracciano – 95 km | 1.000 m

We start in the center of Rome, with a view of some of its most famous monuments. After the inevitable group photo with the Colosseum in the background we take a bike path that follows the Tevere River and leads us out of the city. We enter the quiet Roman country-side, cycle through the beautiful Veio Regional Park with some interesting single-track sections.
After lunch we will continue toward Bracciano Lake facing the wind that always blows from the sea to the interior during the afternoon. When we will spot the Bracciano Castle it’s time for the last downhill that will lead us to our hotel, right on the shore of the lake.

DAY 03 – STAGE 02
Bracciano-Tarquinia – 76 km | 1.700 m

We leave the peaceful shores of the Bracciano Lake for a stage that will lead us north, with continuous climbs and descents through the Tolfa Mountains. We can have an espresso in Canale Monterano before entering the Natural Reserve that we will cross through on a nice gravel road. Here it will be possible to admire the Maremman Cows, with their big horns, grazing quietly.
After a fast descent in the forest we will cross the Mignone river on an old, unused road. After a pretty steep uphill and a brief section on the old railway we will enter into the Tarquinia area, full of historical Etruscan tombs and ruins.
On the last climb of the day we will enter Tarquinia through the old door “Porta Castello”, where our day ends.

DAY 04 – STAGE 03
Tarquinia-Lago di Mezzano – 80 km | 1.200 m

We start with an easy secondary road that will take us to Canino and the beginning of the Brigant Path, an old trail used until the 19th century by the outlaws that lived in this area. Near Castro we will experience our first Via Cava, old roads carved into the typical stone of this area named Tufo.
After lunch we will cross the Lamone Forest on one of its nice forest roads. This forest resembles the one mentioned by Dante in the first part of his Divine Comedy. The last part of the day is the most difficult, with steep uphill that will reward us with stunning views of the countryside and the sea – if we are lucky!
We will spend the night in the idyllic Mezzano Lake agritourism, tasting the fabulous food produced and cooked by the owner of the farm.

DAY 05 – STAGE 04
Lago di Mezzano-Saturnia – 70 km | 1.200 m

From Mezzano Lake we ride up to the little town of Latera. We are now riding in the Alta Tuscia, an area rich in Etruscan monuments. We visit the historical centers of Sorano, Pitigliano and Sovana before joining the nice winding road that will bring us to Saturnia.
The stage is mostly on wonderful country roads. After our lunch in Pitigliano we will ride into the spectacular ‘Vie Cave’: old roads built into the rocks by the Etruscan – the ancient inhabitants of Italy. We will spend the night near Saturnia, and have the chance to enjoy its famous hot springs.

DAY 06 – STAGE 05
Saturnia-Monte Amiata – 55 km | 2.200 m

Today is the day for the climbers. We have to reach the highest point of our tour on Mt. Amiata at 1,400 metres.
Mt. Amiata is an ancient volcano, now covered with a dense beech forest. We will reach the top following the Albegna River that we will cross several times during the day.
We start the ride from our agritourism and, after 3 kilometers, cross the Albegna River for the first time. We now have a steep, 5 kilometer climb to Rocchette di Fazio. After passing the river again on an old bridge, we follow a trail under the little town.
We take another difficult trail and cross the river once more. When we arrive in Roccalbegna, we fill our water bottles from one of its numerous fountains.
We then climb into the Natural Reserve of Monte Labbro at 1,000 metres, followed by a downhill ride to Aiole. Finally, we take the final forest road that brings us to Monta Amiata, first crossing a nice chestnut forest and then entering a shady beech forest that is interrupted only by a few nice meadows.

DAY 07 – STAGE 06
Monte Amiata-Pieve a Salti – 73 km | 1.500 m

We leave our cozy hotel near the top of Mt.Amiata and enter the forest to ride some fun single-track. After arriving at the Capo Vetra Shelter, we take a wide forest road until Vivo d’Orcia. It is a nice, long descent that will lead us in the Val d’Orcia Artistic, Nature and Cultural Park and the Province of Siena. At Castiglione D’Orcia, we take our first Strada Bianca or White Road.
We can visit the little town of Bagno Vignoni, famous for its main square that is actually a natural pool. After a technical uphill section we will stop for lunch near the beautiful Sant’Antimo Abbady. We then continue on white roads to Villa a Tolli, over Lume Spento Pass, and into Castiglione nel Bosco.
Our final destination is the farmhouse of Pieve a Salti, located just outside of the beautiful center of Buonconvento.

DAY 08 – STAGE 07
Pieve a Salti-Fonterutoli – 55 km | 1.000 m

From Pieve a Salti we ride to the historic center of Siena which has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is well known for its cuisine, art, museums, and medieval cityscapes.
In this stage we will ride part of the Eroica Route, a permanent bicycle route of about 200 kilometres, mostly on White Road. We will have lunch in Siena and stop to see the Piazza del Palio where the famous Horse Ride is held twice a year. After lunch we will enter the Chianti Hills where the famous wine of the same name is produced. Our final destination is the spectacular Fonterutoli Hamlet in the heart of the Chianti Classico region.

DAY 09 – STAGE 08
Fonterutoli-Firenze – 80 km | 1.700 m

The last stage brings us to the heart of our final destination: Florence.
From Fonterutoli we follow the Eroica route until Radda in Chianti. Here we start climbing to the beautiful town of Volpaia where we can stop for an espresso.
From here we enter the forest that will lead us to Monte San Michele, the highest point of the Chianti Hills. We will ride mostly on the ridge of the Chianti Hills until we reach Poggio alla Croce, where we have a beautiful view of the Valdarno. From here we follow secondary roads and a beautiful single-track that offers amazing views of Florence. We enter the city through a bike path that follows the Arno River and end our tour, after crossing Ponte Vecchio near The Duomo.
Our journey ends in a typical Osteria where we can taste the famous Fiorentina meat and the delicious cookies called Cantucci with a taste of Vin Santo.

End of tour and services. Participants can continue their travels in Italy or return to Rome on their own.

YOUR GUIDE

Roberto Gazzoli

Travel Logistic Coordinator & Guide

Lover of cyclotourism since the late 90s, over the years has always tried to move a little more further the limits of his biking adventures. After several solo bike tour including Sardinia, Sicily, Corsica and Iceland, in 2006, he came in contact with Projecting Adventure Cyclism, former Progetto Avventura, participating in the Atacama Desert and Mongolia bike tour. Passionate about winter ultramarathon and endurance, he has participated in several editions of the Iditarod Trail Invitational in Alaska. In 2017 he raced the Tour Divide, 4.500 km from Canada to Mexico on a singlespeed. Since 2009, he joined the Projecting Adventure Cyclism taking care of various aspect of the Travel Agency. It deals with the creation, management and guiding of bike tour, in addition to maintain relationships with customers. Much of the information that you will receive will have his signature.

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