Dante - Rome to Bologna Gravel Adventure

Ride and Seek's first Gravel Epic reflects the operator's approach to cycle touring: taking the road less travelled and immersing riders in the landscapes, culture, food and history along the way. Riding from Rome to Bologna, the tour follows in the footsteps of Dante Alighieri, one of Italy's greatest literary figures. It passes through Florence, where Dante was born and became a prominent poet and politician before his exile in 1302. It then reaches Ravenna, where he completed The Divine Comedy and where his tomb remains today.

Guido, the operator's gravel specialist, designed the route using his deep knowledge of Italy's backroads and white roads. Each day mixes smooth champagne gravel with quiet sealed roads and the occasional technical section. Starting on the Lazio coast, the tour passes through Rome and heads north into Tuscany and its famous strade bianche. It crosses the UNESCO-listed Val d'Orcia and stops at the thermal village of Bagno Vignoni. Two-night stays in Siena and Florence give time to explore. The route then heads into Le Marche and climbs to San Marino, the world's oldest republic, before crossing the plains of Emilia-Romagna.

The operator rates the tour 3 Espresso Cups. It suits riders keen on gravel cycling who also value what awaits off the bike. Medieval cities, excellent regional food and wine, and some of Italy's most beautiful countryside make the time off the bike as rewarding as the riding. Tuscan pecorino and Brunello di Montalcino give way to Parmigiano Reggiano and handmade pasta, and the tour finishes in Bologna, Italy's culinary capital.

Highlights

• Ride champagne gravel linking Tuscany's strade bianche with hidden farm roads and forest tracks
• Explore the Val d'Orcia (UNESCO World Heritage listed) and the thermal village of Bagno Vignoni
• Spend two nights each in Siena and Florence, the birthplace of Dante and of the Renaissance
• Visit San Marino, the world's oldest republic, and Dante's tomb in Ravenna
• Taste Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile, Chianti Classico, Parmigiano Reggiano and fresh Emilian pasta
• Finish under the porticoes of Bologna, Italy's gastronomic capital

Surface and terrain:
A mix of gravel and sealed roads every day: smooth champagne gravel, white roads, farm and forest tracks and quiet backroads, with occasional technical sections. The operator describes none of its gravel routes as overly technical. It is consistently hilly, averaging about 860 m of climbing per riding day.

Weather:
Central and northern Italy in spring. Expect mild to warm days of around 15–24°C, cool mornings in the hills, and occasional showers that can make gravel sections muddy.

**Suitable for: **
Fit, experienced riders who are comfortable on mixed gravel surfaces and can ride back-to-back days of about 70 km with substantial climbing. The operator grades it 3 Espresso Cups. It suits riders who value food, wine and history as much as the cycling.