The churches in Italy are always very beautiful and often a focal point for our rides out here and because there are so many dotted about the countryside you can always find a place for a quiet resting spot and visitors are always welcome. The big day out for this tour is a visit to the majestic town of Assisi, birth place of St Francis in 1181, one of Italy’s most famous patron saints.
Total Distance |
Elev. Gain |
Days |
Rating |
Location |
105 KM |
1,490 M |
6 |
1/3 |
tuscany and umbria |
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ride 1 churches of anghiari
distance 20kms
elevation gain 350 metres
estimated moving time 1 hour and 30 minutes
estimated calories 500
road surface asphalt (not always in perfect condition)
elevation gain 350 metres
estimated moving time 1 hour and 30 minutes
estimated calories 500
road surface asphalt (not always in perfect condition)
ride 2 assisi (excursion day)
distance 32kms
elevation gain 480 metres
estimated moving time 2 hours
estimated calories 650
road surface asphalt (not always in perfect condition)
driving to destination time 1 hour 10 minutes each way
elevation gain 480 metres
estimated moving time 2 hours
estimated calories 650
road surface asphalt (not always in perfect condition)
driving to destination time 1 hour 10 minutes each way
ride 3 monte santa maria tiberina
distance 53kms
elevation gain 660 metres
estimated moving time 2 hours
estimated calories 1,650
road surface asphalt (not always in perfect condition)
elevation gain 660 metres
estimated moving time 2 hours
estimated calories 1,650
road surface asphalt (not always in perfect condition)
DAY 1
Arrival day in Italy
Collection from Italian airport
Transfer to your retreat
Collection from Italian airport
Transfer to your retreat
DAY 2
As we head away from Anghiari, we quickly make a steep descent towards Fossa before the road flattens for a gentle roll across the valley floor with its wide array of seasonal crops. We continue on the flat before making a U-turn at Il Bosco. The gentle roads continue as we pass our first church of the morning and the magnificent Romanesque architecture of the Pieve di Santa Maria alla Sovara. Our route continues to a gentle rise as we make our way through to the little hamlet of Tavernelle before turning towards Bagnolo. Onward through the fields as we head on to some little quiet back roads towards the tranquil little hamlet of Gualchiera and our second beautiful little church of the morning, Cappella del sacro cuore (Chapel of the Sacred Heart). The road continues to climb for the next 4 kms as we make our way to Carmine and the Santurario della Madonna del Carmine (The Sanctuary of the Madonna). It’s then a gentle downhill back to Anghiari and home to the villa for an afternoon of relaxation poolside, finished off with a home cooked dinner prepared by our local in house chef.
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DAY 3
Our day trip today begins with an early morning pick up from your accommodation. Once all the bikes are securely stowed, we will make the one hour journey by car to our starting point in the sleepy little town of Sant’Egidio in Umbria. Once on the road early refreshments can be taken at Locanda Paradiso as we skirt past the quaint little San Francesco International Airport. The gently rolling roads continue on our way to Petrignano as we pass over the Chiascio River making our way through Palazzo and San Martino Basso. At this point the road leads upwards for a steady 5 kms as we make our final approach to the majestic hill town of Assisi. Here we can rest up and explore the birthplace of St.Francis, one of Italy’s most famous patron saints. A must see is the Basilica, a massive 2-level church that was consecrated in 1253. Other highlights include the 13th-century frescoes portraying the life of St. Francis along with the crypt that houses the saint’s stone sarcophagus. After lunch we can begin our homeward leg of the ride with 7 kms of blissful downhill winding roads followed by around 6 kms of relatively flat roads as we make our way through Ospedalicchio. Our final kilometre is a short steady climb back to our starting point in Sant’Egidio. It's then back home to our Anghiari retreat for an afternoon of free time and home cooked dinner.
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DAY 4
A big last day in the saddle with nearly 1000 metres of climbing, it’s a great three hour round trip. A steady downhill start heading out of Anghiari we meander through fields crossing over the Torrente Sovara river. Onwards once more passing through the lush fields of seasonal crops (sunflowers, tobacco or corn) skirting Catigliano. It’s a quick 300 metre blast up the hill on the SS73 before heading off towards Monterchi and on to the Tuscany/Umbria border at Lippiano and our big climb of the day commences. The road to Monte Santa Maria Tiberina is a staggered route comprising of a couple of ups and downs before the final big push up to the summit, spread over 11 kms and rising to an elevation of 640 metres. It’s certainly a stiff test for even seasoned riders. Reward comes in the shape of fabulous 360 degree views across Tuscany and Umbria along with a quaint little bar/restaurant for an incredibly well deserved refreshment stop. Our riders will be pleased to hear that the vast majority of uphill struggles are behind us from this point on as we make our way homeward. Our descent retraces our climb up until the route takes a diversion gently downhill passing a golf course and equestrian centre in Lerchi and on through Mezzavia before turning towards Pistrino. Refreshments on hand once again in the little village of Fighille before our final uphill push home to Anghiari. A final well deserved afternoon of relaxation at our villa will be followed by a hearty send off dinner with your fellow riders.
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DAY 5
Departure day
Collection from your retreat
Transfer to your Italian airport
Collection from your retreat
Transfer to your Italian airport
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Photos used under Creative Commons from Graham of the Wheels Graham of the Wheels
