Are you looking for a good challenge to keep you motivated in 2016? Like to ride mountain bikes? Then check out the new Romagna Bike Trail race that’s coming to Italy in August. In its inaugural year it already appears to be shaping up to be quite the event.
Located in the northern region of Italy, Romagna is rich in history and culture. It is known for its diverse terrain that ranges from flat, wide-open spaces, to rolling hills, and steep mountains that I’m told don’t rival the Dolomites, but will test the legs nonetheless. In modern times, Romagna is also renowned for its excellent food and wine too. In other words, it is a perfect place for a bike race.
The Romagna Bike Trail event is scheduled to begin on August 27 with participants setting out from the Piazza del Popolo in Ravenna, the most historically prominent city in the region. The course will cover more than 600 km (372 miles) with the route featuring everything from paved tracks, dirt roads, and mountain single track, with just about everything in between. Race organizers say it will also feature more than 12,000 meters (39,370 ft) of vertical gain, just in case you didn’t think there would be any climbing involved.
Once the race is underway, participants will have to be complete sell-supported out on the course. The event will run non-stop, so much like in adventure racing it’ll be up to them when they decide to stop for a rest or press on. They’ll also have to be able to deal with any mechanical issues that might arise as well, particularly since the trail will take them into remote areas.
Speaking of that trail, the route for the race is still being designed at this time. The entire 600 km path will eventually feature a series of interconnected roads and bike trails that will take participants across the entire Romagna region. Approximately a month before the race begins each of the racers will receive a GPS file in the GPX format that will provide them with the exact course details. They can then use that data to help them navigate their way through the race.
You can find out more about this event on the race’s official website. It is mostly in Italian however, so if you don’t speak the language be prepared to use Google Translate.
This looks like it’ll be quite an interesting event, and who wouldn’t want to take part in a bike race in cycling-mad Italy?
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