Tuscia, Italy - lakes, old towns, spring rides

Finally, spring is peeking through, and it's time for Rando Spring. Twice a year, we organize a small 3-day trip: the group always changes a bit, but the result is always memorable.

We attach the bags to our bikes, and it's time to set off towards Tuscia Viterbese. We reach Orvieto by train and start our two-wheeled journey from there. Arriving in the center of Orte, we immediately stop for a bite to eat (the tozzetti are a must). After taking a few photos in the town center, we set off again for Civita di Bagnoregio, the famous "dying city."

We leave our bikes at the ticket office and decide to explore it on foot. The village is truly beautiful, and we also take the opportunity for a quick toast.

The day is warm, and we can finally show off our short-sleeved jerseys. At sunset, we arrive at Lake Bolsena, which we cycle along, admiring it from different perspectives. Then we climb slightly up to Montefiascone, where we stop for the first night. After an excellent traditional dinner, we conclude the evening with some local amaro kindly offered by the B&B.

Saturday morning, the temperatures are significantly lower, and the sky is rather cloudy. We set off again, always with a view of Lake Bolsena, which we gradually leave behind. We pass through Marta and Capodimonte until we reach Tuscania. A few quick photos and then off to Viterbo, where Filippo has booked a quick lunch at a central osteria.

Viterbo is truly beautiful: historic, full of perfect views and corners for photos. Shortly after, we tackle the longest climb of the three days, the most challenging, but surrounded by greenery and therefore very pleasant to cycle while looking around. We thus arrive at San Martino al Cimino. We take a short exploratory tour of the village and then settle into our rooms.

Sunday morning is still cool, but the weather promises to improve. We warm up immediately with a challenging double-digit climb that takes us to Lake Vico. Here, the environment is much wilder than Lake Bolsena, and spring shows itself in all its forms. On this tour, we often rode along sections of the Via Francigena, which always adds a special charm to the journey.

Coffee in Ronciglione and then off to the Necropolis of Falerii Novi (Fabrica di Roma). The tour continues towards Corchiano where, after having lunch, we discover a small village full of surprises: a suggestive route through deep gorges carved into the tuff, ancient Etruscan-Faliscan sunken roads, and remains of rupestrian settlements.

Last few kilometers to Orte station, where the train takes us home. But to ensure a touch of adrenaline even on the return journey, we decide to organize a special delivery: pre-cut pizzas to be delivered directly to the platform where the Intercity stops for a few minutes in Firenze Rifredi...the exchange goes perfectly!

Once again, we discovered new places in our beautiful country, and the route prepared by our two "local" cyclists proved to be simply perfect.

Words: Marco Casadio (Mac)

Photos: Marco Casadio (Mac)