Rapha Randonnée Appenini - September

The Randonnée Appennini gives you a unique chance to experience classic riding in the heart of cycling-obsessed Italy. This route is a very tough but beautiful journey through historical landscapes, from the rolling hills of Chianti to the bare rock faces of Abetone.

For the Randonnée Appennini Rapha have researched a new and exciting route, giving you a unique chance to experience the regions that constitute the heart of Italy. Our route is a very tough but incredibly scenic journey through historical landscapes, from the rolling hills of Chianti to the bare rock faces of Abetone. And in cycling obsessed Italy, it is only natural that the Apennines have come to host some of the great road racing events in the international calendar; the classic spring stage race Tirreno – Adriatico, the epic L’Eroica in Tuscany and of course the Giro d’Italia. A route which is soon to become a classic of its own on the Randonnée calendar.

Key Climbs:
San Pellegrino, Monte Petrano, Monte Nerone, Monte Catria, Passo di Gualdo and Passo di Meta

    * Distance: 810km
    * Elevation: 16520m
    * Price: £2,500

Day 1: Lucca – Poretta Terme

    * Distance: 153km
    * Elevation: 3250m
    * Key Climbs: Foce di Trebbio, San Pelligrino in Alpe

The adventure starts in the Tuscan town of Lucca, encircled by city walls dating from the Renaissance. As we head northwards, the first major obstacle is the climb of San Pelligrino in Alpe, scene of many battles in the Giro including a famous head to head between Stefano Garzelli and Francesco Casagrande, where Casagrande conquered the 22% slopes to take the Maglia Rosa. The route continues through the heart of the Appennino Settentrionale to finish the day in the thermal spa resort of Poretta Terme.
Day 2: Poretta Terme – Poppi

    * Distance: 138km
    * Elevation: 2580m
    * Key Climbs: Passo di Futa, Valico Croce a Mori

Day two takes us from Poretta Terme over two challenging climbs to Poppi, a town with Roman roots, founded on an economy of pastoral agriculture and local crafts. This stage is a hard but undulating glide through beautiful Tuscan scenery.
Day 3: Poppi – Urbino

    * Distance: 144km
    * Elevation: 2880m
    * Key Climbs: Valico di Spino, Monte Carpegna

Leaving Poppi on day three we cross the Montefeltro region with the stunning white limestone cliffs of Monte Carpegna as our backdrop for the day. Undulating hillsides and two tough climbs will take it out of the legs but make for a highly exhilarating ride. Our overnight stay is in Urbino, an UNESCO world heritage site notable for a remarkable legacy of Renaissance architecture and culture.
Day 4: Urbino - Gubbio

    * Distance: 115km
    * Elevation: 2610m
    * Key Climbs: Monte Petrano, Monte Nerone

Day four is set to be the toughest of the Randonnée taking in the fearsome climbs of Monte Petrano, Monte Nerone and Monte Catria, which left many of the current stars of pro cycling on their knees after stage 16 of the 2009 Giro d’Italia. Lance Armstrong afterwards called the stage one of the hardest days of bike racing he had ever ridden. Resting place for the night is Gubbio, a town famed for its gothic architecture and annual palio.
Day 5: Gubbio – Castelraimondo

    * Distance: 121km
    * Elevation: 1850m
    * Key Climbs: Valico di Scheggia, Monte Catria

The route for the penultimate day provides somewhat of a recovery from the previous stage but will still test the resolve. The route skirts around the Roman Via Flaminia and climbs up to the hometown of 17th century baroque artist Sassoferrato, acclaimed for his devotional paintings. The riding continues to be tough but highly rewarding as we end the day in the town of Castelraimondo in the Provincia di Macerata.
Day 6: Castelraimondo – Ascoli Piceno

    * Distance: 139km
    * Elevation: 3350m
    * Key Climbs: Passo di Gualdo, Passo di Meta

The final day crosses the Sibilini mountains to finish in the Roman town of Ascoli Piceno, taking in the Passo di Gualdo and Passo di Meta en route. Much of this final stage will traverse the area affected by an earthquake in 1997; and the Piano Grande, a picturesque limestone plain situated in the Monti Sibillini National Park. A truly beautiful finale to an incredible journey.

What’s Included?

Seven nights accommodation (Single occupancy double room)
All breakfasts and evening meals at the hotels and restaurants
Airport transfers
Lunches on riding days
Experienced guide and dedicated support car on each ride
Complimentary energy drink, bars and gels
Appearances from special VIP guests
Specially prepared Rapha Randonnée Guide Book

What’s Not?

Flights
Travel Insurance
Alcoholic Drinks
Incidental Expenses
Tips / gratuitie

The Knowledge

Rapha Randonnée Appenini - September

Rapha Randonnée Appenini - September