Day 9: Pienza - Rome

Like a balcony sits Pienza high above the Val d`Orcia. Beautiful views down into the typical Tuscan landscape. We have to leave this wonderful Convent which hosted us for 1 night. We are heading to Rome.

Good bye Mr. Steven - hopefully my ears will stop bleeding

Day 8: Siena - Pienza

At some point in Tuscany you are wondering if it can get any better...But it can!  Today  we are riding straight into the region of Tuscany which you know from the postcards and calendar pictures - rolling hills, cypress-lined roads, sunflowers and vineyards. We have reached the Crete Senesi a landscape formed by erosion.

The thermal spa region around Bagno Vignoni and the water of this health resorts have been well-known since the Etruscs.

And from here on the riding fun will not stop. Twisty roads will take us all the way to the southern border of Tuscany and around Monte Amiata, a sleeping vulcano. The Romanesque abbey of Sant`Antimo is absolutely worth a stop, so is Montalcino, where the famous Brunello is produced. Finally we`ll see the beautiful skyline of Pienza, high above the Orcia valley and our destination for tonight.

Just for you Charles

Day 7: San Gimignano - Siena

Today we will have the pleasure of riding the winding roads of the Chianti area. The region seems as if it were made for motorcyclists, with its small villages inviting us for a coffee break along the way. Many castles and fortresses, most of them privately owned, are scattered throughout the countryside. The area is also well known for its excellent wines, many of them produced in small wineries embedded in those same castles and fortresses. Once we have seen enough of the Chianti region, and after  a good lunch, we continue to Siena, Italy`s gothic metropolis. 

Day 6: Florence - Pisa - San Gimignano

Pisa is on the list in the morning. Whatever you have seen on postcards - nothing preprares you for reality! The leaning tower is really leaning!!

After comparing the leaning angle of the tower of Pisa to that of our bikes we continue through an area shaped by erosion, headed for San Gimignano, the small village with its high towers,"the Manhattan of Tuscany".  You will know where the name came from when you see the city from a distance. 

Steve - I can`t tell you what he said

Day 5: Restday Florence

the whole group appreciates a 2 night stay in the same hotel. Eveything is possible the nex morning: Riding, sightseeing, sleeping.....

Half the group went riding, half the group went on a guided tour in Florence.

there is one wrong person in that picture

Day 4: San Marino - Florence

Despite the rain yesterday everybody was happy in the evening. 4 brave riders took off by their own earlier and had fun exploring the area alone. 2 overslept and started later - they also arrived happy and smiling. Last not least Björns group was a bit more soaked than the rest - but also had a great day.

Today we visit Rossi`s hometown Tavullia. We ride the Strada Panaoramica Adriatica, a scenic road high above the Adriatic Sea.

Than we`ll have 50 km on the famous “Strada del Sole” Highway, which brought all the sun-hungry Germans in the late 60th to the Adriatic beaches in their VW Beatles. That is the reason, why this part of the Adriatic was called the "German Barbeque".

And than their is a riding highlight: Before the well-known race courses, like Mugello and Imola, were built, the passionated Italians closed public roads on Sundays and raced there.

80 km of this old "race track" will lead us up to Passo Muraglione. So a lot of things to do today - let`s go!

Day 3: Assis - San Marino

Because of the bad weather forecast for today we decided to start a little bit later and shorten the route a bit. Lunch at Il Grillo will be the culinary highlight today. The cultural ones are definitely Urbino and San Marino, the riding highlights today should be dry. 

Just the good stuff.

Day 2: Rome to Assisi

Mike is happy about a good warm italian capuccino, after riding in heavy rain.

Day 1: arrival & welcome briefing

Guided City Tour Rome

A walk through the "Eternal City" on a beautiful morning.

after a bus ride with all the locals we started at Piazza Venezia, at the foot of the Capitaline Hill next to the Trajans Forum. Here you can see the monument of Vittoro Emanuele II,first king fo Italy.