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This
tour is designed for an easy approach to Abruzzo. You will ride all its
celebrated Natural Parks but the peaks will remain in due distance. The tour
spans from the sandy beaches of the Adriatic coast to
the foot of the Gran Sasso, the highest peak of the Appennini.
Day
1
Arrival at Silvi Marina
Silvi Marina is one of the most attractive beach resort of the Adriatic.
Your first inn is an Agriturismo on the hillside right behind the town. All around you a
green belt of hills dotted by villages, vineyards and olive trees. At one end
the towering massifs of Maiella and Gran Sasso,
at the
other the Adriatic Sea. Your host is a proud producer of many local
specialties so be prepared for a copious dinner!
Day
2
Silvi Marina (loop) 50 km – tot climb 400 mts
The quiet and scenic backroad from the Agriturismo makes a perfect start
for our ride. It’s an easy incline and the view grows wider as you proceed.
Here and there you will observe the spectacular erosions of the argil crust
called “calanchi”. At the top we enter the fortified citadel of Atri and tour
its old alleys up to a cafè table on the main square. After refreshment a long
downhill winding upon the sea takes us back to the coast right in the Marine
Park of Torre Cerrano. After the ride we will be back here with our
swimsuits!
Day 3
Silvi
Marina – Caramanico Terme 68 km – 600 mts
After the flat route
along the Saline river an easy climb takes up to Pianella. We are in the middle
of olive oil country so we stop at a farm for a few slices of fresh bread with
oil and a good glass of wine. Today we can't indulge with the generous
wine as, after descending in the Aterno river valley, we head towards the mountains of Maiella. The most challenging section of the
climb ends after 6 km in S.Valentino. Much easier is the rest of the hill. High
in the Orta Valley, surrounded by the Maiella and the Morrone mountain ranges,
Caramanico is the main spa town in Abruzzo.
Day
4
Caramanico Terme (loop) 48 km – 600 mts
This stage is entirely set in the Park of Maiella. This side of the Park
is marked by deep gorges and roaring creeks. The contrast between the wilderness
of the nature and the the calm beauty of the villages will be with you for all
your trip in Abruzzo. We start descending to Bolognano, a village that is an
open air museum. After a flat section on the Tiburtina road we tackle the brief
but steep climb to Tocco Casauria. This village is another trademark in olive
oil and wine production. From here there is more to climb but not too difficult
so it’s time to go for a new wine tasting…
Day 5 Caramanico Terme – Sulmona 40 km – 700
mts
Today’s ride starts
with a tough climb: the first 6 km are very demanding but once we reach S.Eufemia the worst part is behind us. The road goes up
now very gently. We stop for pictures in the enchanting hamlet of Roccacaramico.
The road sneaks up the mountain showing at every turn new angles of this
beautiful valley. The climb ends at Passo S.Leonardo (1280 mts), the highest
point of the entire trip. A long, thrilling descent brings quickly into sight
the medieval skyline of Pacentro. Its narrow alleys and circular towers well
deserve a visit. More descent down to Sulmona. Your hotel is right in the
historic downtown of this town rich of art.
Day
6
Sulmona (loop) 62 km – 700
mt
We start the light incline that takes us to the National Park of Abruzzo,
the oldest natural park in Italy. In Anversa degli Abruzzi, pierced upon an high
rock, we take our first break. From here the narrow and rugged Gorges of the
Sagittario river begin. Attached to the mountain the road goes slightly upward
across tunnels bored into the solid rock while the stream roars down beside. At
the top the quiet waters of the Lake of Scanno mirror the surrounding peaks.
Striken by the beauty of these places Dutch painter MC Escher and French
photographer Henry Cartier-Bresson stopped
to live here for many years. We get off our bikes for a walk in the alleys of
Scanno famous for the art of jewerly and lacing.
On the
way back we ride the same route now almost entirely downhill.
Day 7
Sulmona – L’Aquila 70 km – 400 mt
We leave Sulmona going
up the Valley of the Aterno, the major river in Abruzzo. We cross the Gorges of
S.Venanzio and a number of enchanting villages lost in the greenery. Here too
there is very little traffic and sometimes it feels like the time in this valley
has stopped a few centuries ago. We stop for refreshment in the magnificient
Fontecchio and continue almost effortlessly thru the fields, with castles,
churches and monastery watching us from the top of the surrounding mountains.
Only the last mile is challenging: to be faithful to its name, L’Aquila (The
Eagle) was built pretty high up. It’s a brief pain and soon we find ourselves
laying down on the green meadow in front of the Collemaggio Basilica, a
masterpiece of the Romanic style and a dramatic introduction to the treasures of
this town.
Day 8
L’Aquila (loop) 60 km – 500 mt
L’Aquila, the
capital of Abruzzo, makes a worthy ending for this trip. Not only rich of art
and history but also young college town with a great offer of music, pubs,
restaurants and night life. If last night you have privileged this side of town
then it will be hard to show up when the ride start this morning! For the others
we have planned a pleasant ride along the high Aterno valley. Only one climb,
short and easy, to Montereale. We are right at the entrance of National Park of
Gran Sasso and, from a little distance, the highest peaks in the Appennini bid
you their farewell. Arrivederci!
Day
9 Departure
from L’Aquila
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Difficulty: 2
TOUR NUMBERS:
8 nights, 7 stages,
tot km 398 km (57 k/day), tot climb
3900 mt
(560 mt/day)
DATES 2009:
May 15 - 23
July 5 - 13
PRICE:
Eur 950
(self-guided)
Eur 1100
(guided)
DEPOSIT:
Eur 300
(before March 1)
INCLUDES:
- 7 nights and
breakfasts in double room w/bath in Hotel 3 stars
- all
breakfasts and dinners
- daily maps & cue sheets
- full van support
- cycling guide (only guided tours)
EXTRAS:
Single suppl.:
Eur 150
Van transfer to/from Roma Airport:
Eur 50 pp/each way
Bikes for rent :
Eur 150
Bike cases have to be
stored at left luggage.
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In Abruzzo we
can organize custom tours, guided or self guided, for groups of at least
4 people.
For easier tours check:
ABRUZZO
EASY
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