|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
The Forlì hinterland, between plain and hills. You need the right gear ratios because at a certain point the road stands up under your pedals and it isn’t so easy to make the chain turn. A 39x26 is suitable but you may also "exaggerate" and use 28, which would not be dishonourable.
Because these Romagna hills that suddenly leap out of the plain with brief but tough climbs deserve consideration. The whole trip is about 66 kilometres, with two critical points: Monte Trebbio and the climb towards Santa Maria in Castello.
On the Trebbio, a Monument to the Bike
From the departure point Castrocaro you head towards Dovadola, truffle country.
The first kilometres are fairly flat though with an uphill tendency. Two kilometres after Dovadola there is the fork for Monte Trebbio, and suddenly there are about two thousand metres at 10%; then the climb becomes irritating with an alternation of easy stretches and diabolical 12% gradients.
It is no coincidence that there is a monument to the bike at the crossing of the Trebbio.
The descent is easy going but the last stretch requires constant attention because you are going at extreme gradient (17%).
Technique and ability are called for, but also carefulness and brakes. |
|
Modigliana, in the footsteps of the Counts Guidi
At the end of the descent you arrive in Modigliana after a 23 kilometre stretch. This is where the Guidi family was born, one of the most powerful noble families of Romagna, capable of standing up to the most warlike families of the Middle Ages. There are still visible traces of their long rule over Modigliana. Leaving this town you proceed towards Tredozio.
In Tredozio, a century-old peace
The ascent is easy. With your muscles run-in by the ascent of the Trebbio you pedal the course rhythmically and with pleasure. Half way you come to Tredozio in the Tramazzo valley: stupendous views and age-old woodlands.
Leaving the village the cyclist realises at once that there’s some sweating to be done.
The road goes up towards Santa Maria in Castello and some stretches reach the terrible gradient of 16%. The ascent flattens out a bit but it’s a short truce because the last stretch is tough and you can use a 28 without feeling ashamed. At the fork of Santa Maria in Castello there are two alternatives: go down towards Rocca San Casciano or head farther south to Monte Busca (709 metres) and arrive at Portico di Romagna.
The deviation towards Portico is for those who still have surplus energy and legs ready to eat up the ascent. From Portico di Romagna you once more pick up the road to Rocca San Casciano until you link up with the main stretch that goes placidly down to Dovadola and returns, with no more treacherous or uphill runs, to Castrocaro Terme.
|
|
|
|
