SPT24011La Toskana + El Moto GP San Marino
The first day of the tour is planned for sightseeing and shopping and as is the case with plans, we modify it according to our needs. After the morning briefing by Alan, we start the beautiful Ducatis and look at pass roads in the mountains around Bologna that are worth seeing. Of course, we also stop for a coffee or two and visit a memorial in the mountains, but riding is in the foreground today. We then implement the plan with shopping in the Ducati factory outlet before returning to the start hotel and so we have led the day to a complete success according to plan.
Today we start with the multi-day tour through Tuscany. We leave Bologna and observe the sky attentively on the way. Around us there are always some showers and thunderstorms, which makes the scenery unique and exciting. However, the Ducatis are fast and agile enough to avoid the rain and so only a few isolated drops hit us during the entire riding day. Finally, we have crossed the main ridge of the Apennines and reach the hotel in Lucca on the southern edge of the mountains, where we have an excellent evening meal before we fall contentedly into our pillows.
Today, the most famous cities and sights of Tuscany are on the map, but as is the case with plans, we adapt it to our needs. Everyone has already seen the leaning tower in Pisa and so we only greet it as we drive by. But now we have more time in the Manhattan of Tuscany, the picturesque medieval town of San Gimignano. After climbing the highest tower in the city, having a snack or two and enjoying a world championship ice cream, we ride through the unique landscape of Chianti past the Gallo Nero to Siena´s Campo, where we linger for some time and enjoy the Italian lifestyle. After we have reached the hotel in San Quirico, the majority of the group tests the beautiful pool area while a small group once again deals with the Italian riding style around Monte Amiata. Once again a successful day for everyone.
Another great day of riding is ahead of us and we first fortify ourselves with a hearty breakfast with a view of the pool and the Tuscan hilly landscape, which is still interspersed with veils of fog. Just in time for departure, the sky clears up and we enjoy the winding roads until the first coffee stop in the small town of Cortona. The ridving highlight of the day follows shortly after the leisurely lunch, when we join a group of locals who lead us over the Bocca Seriola. We then seek relaxation in the mighty scenery of the city of Urbino before we reach our destination on the mountain top in the Republic of San Marino. The plans for the next day are crystal clear this time and we are already full of anticipation at the more than sumptuous dinner.
The plan for today couldn't be simpler and better. We drive to the race track in Misano and watch a few motorcycle races. Since we are already used to the Italian traffic, we quickly arrive at our booked grandstand and experience the racing circus of the Moto 3 and Moto 2 until the main race begins. The weather gods are also kind to us and the tour guide's forecast turns out to be correct. Apart from a few drops, it remains dry on the race track, but the Moto GP teams relied on other forecasts and switched between rain and dry setup several times, which only made the race more exciting for us. So remember: Always listen to the tour guide. Due to the approaching fog and the omnipresent presence of the law enforcement agencies, we decide to spend some free time in San Marino and end the day off in a panoramic restaurant in the city. Once again an absolutely successful day of our tour
The last day of riding has begun and we go back to the starting point of the tour to Bologna. Shortly after we leave the Republic of San Marino, we take endless curves through remote areas. Since it is still a bit cool at the top of the pass at the planned coffee spot, we only stop briefly and move the break to the valley where we immediately have a sumptuous lunch. Another highlight is a visit to the race track in Mugello before we cross the Raticosa Pass, which is already known from the outward journey, back to Bologna. Here the bikes are handed over again to the care of the Edelweiss guides and we conclude the tour with a princely supper where we exchange experiences and highlights of the past tour. The tour guides Alan and Holger say thank you for a wonderful week and hope to meet everyone again on one of the next tours.