Scales @ Tuscany Trail 2022

Our Tuscany Trail 2022 starts long before the actual departure  The event begins with preparing the bikes, packing the bags, planning the bike trip, and above all, building a fantastic group of friends ready to share a new adventure.

In fact, what I'd really like to talk about isn't so much the journey itself, but the beauty of sharing unforgettable moments, the company, and, why not, the moments of crisis within a group, which is now like the crew of a boat docked in port, waiting to set sail on a new adventure.

I don't remember exactly who suggested participating in Tuscany, but within a short time, the classic WhatsApp group had already been created, where the excitement for the organization was palpable.

Some of us knew each other very well, having been riding together for many years, while others were taking part in their first bikepacking adventure, driven by the typical enthusiasm for new things.

Well, the brigade was formed!

From then on, every weekend was an excuse to ride together and start racking up the miles, not to mention the important, and crucial, "organization" evenings where, after a few minutes of serious work on organizational progress, we ended up drinking beer, laughing and recounting past adventures.

As amazing as the trip was, without everything that went into it, without making new friends and sharing all the planning, it wouldn't have been the same.

Everyone contributed to shape the group, with their own personality and experience, we learned to know each other and to make fun of each other right from the start for our manias and fixations.

Months after creating that WhatsApp group, here we are, the fateful day of departure.

Day Zero

It was transfer day: we left the cars upon arrival in Orbetello, so we could head straight home once the route was complete, and from there we took a train to the starting point in Donoratico. A relaxing day, punctuated by a seafood lunch by the sea, and concluded with nearly 1kg of Florentine steak each, the ideal preparation for an event of this kind.

Day One
Donoratico - San Gimignano
Km 150, altitude difference 2700m 

An early wake-up call, a hearty breakfast (Galvo (Luca Galvani) doesn't even get on the pedals until he's had four croissants and two cappuccinos) and at 6:00 we were already in the saddle ready to go.

After just a few kilometers, the first mechanical problems immediately stopped us. Fortunately, our secret weapon, Mattia (Bike Line), promptly resolved any unforeseen issues, limiting the time wasted. In this case, the decision to leave early proved to be a wise one.

We skirt the sea for a short stretch of flat land before heading inland where the real Tuscany Trail begins, with steep climbs and descents along the characteristic Tuscan dirt roads.

Once we arrived in San Gimignano, our only concern was finding a restaurant to eat, but Checco (Francesco Zoli) had already taken steps a few days earlier by reserving a table at a typical restaurant, where at the end of the evening both the other diners and the restaurateurs themselves complimented us on the amount of food we managed to gorge on.

Day Two
San Gimignano - Pienza
Km 124, altitude difference 2300m

Even though we were sore from the fatigue of the first day, our morale was so high that we didn't let ourselves be intimidated.

Personally, this stage's route was my favorite: the first part of the hike followed the stones of the Via Francigena, reaching Siena via fun trails through the woods, while the scorching afternoon weather made the final kilometers to Pienza truly challenging.

Luckily, a spectacular farmhouse perched in the hills was waiting for us, booked by Ago (Augusto Reati), who took care of all the logistics and accommodations.

Here too, the day ended with a typical Tuscan dinner, having previously informed the chef that he needed to prepare the kitchen for the abundance of dishes we would request.

Day Three
Pienza - Orbetello
Km 160, altitude difference 2450m

Departing with the sun rising over the hills of Pienza was nothing short of thrilling. The silence and tranquility surrounding us created a truly evocative atmosphere, making the journey to Radicofani incredible. This truly picturesque village, which particularly struck me, represents the highest point reached on this adventure.

Without any unforeseen events, we had already covered a great deal of ground, and as we approached Pitigliano, our planned lunch destination, we were convinced we had finally completed the stage.

We were wrong! However, analyzing the route, we realized that there were still a lot of kilometers and, above all , a lot of elevation gain to cover. We turned pale thinking about the high pace we'd maintained up to that point; perhaps we'd gotten caught up in the act, claiming victory too early.

Steep, sun-drenched walls and double-digit climbs awaited us—in short, a real treat if done under the scorching sun right after lunch.

Let's not let ourselves be discouraged, let's keep pedaling dreaming of a bar with fresh water and, finally, having completed the climb, we treat ourselves to a well-deserved break in Capalbio. 

Only a few kilometers separated us from our goal. We scanned the horizon, searching for the sea. The pine forest began to appear, and finally we were there! Arriving in Orbetello, we crossed the finish line and enjoyed a last beer before heading home.

Thus ended our adventure, a truly positive experience , in which everything went very well, perhaps even better than expected.

More stories about our partners and the technical aspects of this Tuscany will follow. Now let's rest and think back to those fantastic landscapes.