Italy Coast to Coast by Gravel Bike

This tour is 9 days long, with 7 riding days.

This tour covers 495 km over 7 days of riding from Sirolo, on the east coast, to Porto Santo Stefano, on the west coast of Central Italy. You'll cover three regions – Marche, Umbria, and Tuscany – with a varied terrain ranging from rolling hills, vineyards, olive groves, the rugged Apennines, the beautiful Val D’Orcia, and the wild Maremma. This is Central Italy at its best, made possible by an exclusive and novel gravel biking route.

The trip is fully supported, and your guide’s expert knowledge of the area and terrain means that you always know what is coming up in terms of distance and difficulty. This makes a tremendous difference, as does the constant supply of water and refreshments along the way.

Suitability: The tour is suitable for cyclists possessing a good level of physical fitness as the average distance per day is more than 70 km and the average climb per day is more than 1000 m. Fitness will be a huge asset on those long days and challenging climbs. You should be comfortable on a gravel bike and have experience navigating on rocky roads for extended periods. There are some challenging technical sections. There are no rest days, though we have the afternoons free to relax and recharge. The tour is guided and fully supported, and a transfer is possible at certain points during each stage for any weary riders. As the tour visits many charming villages, towns, heritage sites and vineyards, riding is not the only focus and a fair amount of time will be spent off-saddle to explore these fascinating and picturesque places. If you are a fan of wine and gastronomy, then you will also love this tour.

Biking Conditions: This route has been designed specifically for gravel bikers and so you'll ride on a mix of gravel and secondary asphalt roads. The conditions of the roads vary widely, ranging from hard-packed and level to loose and bumpy. Throughout all days, the terrain is hilly and changeable with flat sections and a lot of climbs and descents. Some climbs can be gradual while others are short but steep. For the most part, you can expect very little traffic in the countryside but coming in and out towns, as well as near popular tourist attractions, you will share the roads with cars and buses and rules of traffic must be observed. While rainfall is uncommon during the months the tours are scheduled, showers can occur at any time – you'll generally ride rain or shine though, based on the guide’s discretion or your level of comfort, modifications to the planned route can be made. It’s all part of the adventure!

You are not required to pay a surcharge for travelling alone. The tour operator will arrange for you to share accommodation with another traveller of the same gender. If you cannot be matched, they will provide a single room at no extra charge. If you prefer not to share, a single supplement is payable to guarantee your own room.

Italy has a Mediterranean climate: mild springs from March to May, with temperatures ranging from 10-20°C (50-68°F), warm summers span from June to August, with temperatures typically between 20-30°C (68-86°F), and fall extends from September to November, with temperatures ranging from 10-20°C (50-68°F). Winter lasts from December to February, with temperatures from 0-10°C (32-50°F). The best time for cycling is late spring/early summer and late summer/early fall, when temperatures are pleasant and you can avoid the peak rush of the summer tourism season.

Meals are included as per the itinerary where B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner. Italian food is loved all over the world, but nothing beats a deep-dive into traditionally prepared regional delicacies straight from the source. Paired with world-class wine, of course. You'll eat most dinners family-style with generous spreads meant for sharing. On the road, you'll either stop for a light lunch at a farm or restaurant or have a packed meal at a quiet location. Breakfasts are at the hotels/agriturismi.

Drink

Keeping you completely hydrated is a job we take very seriously. Water and a regular supply of refreshments are included in the tour price while riding. Soft drinks and other beverages during meals are not included. But you may also want to bring electrolyte in powder or tablet form. Alcoholic drinks (ahem, some of the world's best fine) are available everywhere, but are NOT included in the price. Occasional wine pairings may be included as a part of dinner - your guide will let you know when they are.

Yes, if you're hiring a bike from the operator, a complimentary helmet is provided, although you are welcome to bring your own if you wish.