GIVI Magazine - Novembre 2017

ENGLISH TEXT I made this journey with my inseparable KTM 990 Adventure, mounted with the GIVI 36ltr Dolomi- ti Trekker side cases (DLM36). The full aluminium body provides an added touch of “adventure” and the dimensions enable you to carry everything that might be needed for a mid-length trip, even for two people. The thermal bottle (STF500S) is both welcoming and useful, secured to one of the two side cases using the E162 support. Although the standard screen provides adequate protection, the addition of the GIVI S180T deflector made the ride even more enjoyable. The side stand extension (ES7703) with a soft support base, made life easy during photo stops. I placed small essentials inside the useful GRT706 tank bag. I also want to mention the universal S920L smartphone holder which ena- bled me to keep track of the route without distrac- ting me from the road ahead. THE MOTORCYCLE EQUIPMENT USED The city of Pesaro boasts two museums that, for history and curiosities, are worth a visit. The Benelli Museum and the Morbi- delli Museum, two jewels for all motorcycle enthusiasts. Museo Benelli is located in the premises of the former Benelli factory and covers 1,000 sq ft. The exhibition space is spread over two floors and there are 150 Benelli and MotoBi motorcycles to admire. In addition to the first vehicle that was gi- ven to Pesaro in 1897 (a De Dion Bouton tricycle), several Benelli models date back to before the Second World War. The mu- seum is also home to all Leoncino models. But the icing on the cake is located on the wooden mezzanine floor, which includes Motobi models, Benelli mopeds and ra- cing motors built in Pesaro between the 60’s and 80’s. (Www.officinebenelli.it/of- ficine/italiano / the-museum) Museum Morbidelli is an exhibition space of 3,000 square meters where, thanks to Giancarlo Morbidelli, you can admire 350 functioning motorcycles (50 of which are unique), built from the first decade to the 80’s and 90’s. Thanks to technical and innovative qualities, the Morbidelli triumphed on tracks around the world and resulted in four World Tit- les during the 1970’s. All the motorcycles in the museum have been personally restored by Giancarlo Morbidelli. (Www. museomorbidelli.it) captions 1) NIGHT PHOTO TAKEN ON TOP OF MOUNT PETRANO. ON THE SIDE, THE KTM 990 AD- VENTURE POSING FROM THE STAIRS OF THE HISTORICAL CENTRE OF SANSEPOLCRO. 2) PIT STOP AT FRONTINO, BETWEEN THE MARCHIGIAN HILLS, CONSIDERED TO BE ONE OF THEMOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES IN ITALY. ITS SQUARES ARE DESCRIBED AS “ELEGANT BOUDOIRS” VIEW OF THE ANCIENT ROAD THAT PASSES OVER THE BEAUTIFUL AURO CREEK, JOINING BORGO PACE TO PARACHIU- LE, A RURAL VILLAGE IN THE MOUNTAINS OF ALPE DELLA LUNA. 3) THE LARGE IMAGE AND THOSE ABOVE PROVIDE GLIMPSES OF THE HISTORICAL CENTRE OF GUBBIO. THE SPECTACULAR URBINO PALACE CAN BE SEEN IN THE BACKGROUND OF THE PHOTO ON THE LEFT. TODAY, IT IS THE HOME OF THE MARCHE NA- TIONAL GALLERY. 4) VIEW FROM THE TOP OF THE CATRIA MOUNTAIN WITH THE CROSS DATING BACK TO 1901. LOWER ON THE OTHER PAGE, THE BEAUTIFUL ROAD LEADING TO THE TOP OF MONTE NERONE. ON THE CAPE, IN THE SMALL VILLAGE OF FLORENZUOLA LOCATED IN THE NATURAL RESERVE OF MONTE SAN BARTOLO, DIRECT- LY FACING THE ADRIATIC SEA. 5 THE POINT OF ANCIENT VIA FLAMINIA WHICH RUNS ALONG THE CANDIGLIANO RI- VER AND THROUGH THE GOLA DEL FURLO. IN THE TOP RIGHT, A VIEW OF MARMITTE DEI GIGANTI (FOSSOMBRONE). AT THE SIDE, THE NATURAL FALLS OF THE BOSSO RIVER. time, I would highly recommend parking the motorcycle and discovering its histo- rical centre, enjoying a typical Crescia of Urbino at the Golden Spider (www.face- book.com/ragno.oro) . After leaving this beautiful town, return to the SS73 BIS and continue towards Fermignano. From here you will be heading towards the heart of the Umbrian-Marchigni Apennines and the discovery of Mount Nerone, between waterfalls, caves and ... still beer. Getting there is not easy: you should take SP4 and passing the hamlet of Cà L’Agostina, look for the exit sign for Frontino and from here take the SP257 which runs along the Candigliano River to Piobbico, the ideal destination for an overnight stay. Those arriving before dusk can climb to the top of the mountain to enjoy the sunset. The road rises to a height of 1,525m with a se- ries of curves and bends, some difficult and some not so challenging. If you are a trekking enthusiast, I recommend the area of ​Mount Nerone, the Grotto of Borghetto, the Gorge of the Infernaccio, the Balza Forata and the Grotto of Hams (but it is important to do your homework and find out about difficulty levels beforehand). I return to dinner and an overnight stay in Bacciardi, a village of six souls that is part of the municipality of Piobbico. Hidden in the midst of lush and mystical vegetation is the Slowcanda (http://win.slowcanda.it/ index. asp), a place I like to call fairyland, where it is possible to find absolute peace and relaxation. The inn was built in a stone house dating back to the late 19th century and you will feel like time has stood still. FROM BACCIARDI ... RETURNING TO THEADRIATICCOST (262 Km) Just the time to reassemble my KTM and in the pungent air of the early morning, I head towards the SP257 where I head in the direction of Apecchio. The village is part of the National Beer City Association and in June it plays host to an important festival dedicated to independent beer andnatural produce fromthe region (www. festivalalogastronomia.it ). From here, the road leads to another passageway fre- quented by motorcyclists, that of Bocca Seriola. In Palombara, village of Apecchio, you can visit the peace map, built in wood with a capacity to hold 600 people. Loca- ted in the central Apennines. Whilst nowa- days it gathers enthusiasts, in the past it was a testing ground for Benelli, Bimota and MV Augusta. A river of asphalt leads to Città di Castello, a succession of wide- ranging bends that can be taken in second or third, sometimes interrupted by bends that need to be taken in first gear. At the top of the valley (at 700m) is a rest area where there is a panoramic view of the Umbrian countryside. 18km of curves and bends along the SR257, separate you from Città di Castello, themain centre of the up- per Tiber valley. From here, there are two choices to reach Gubbio, the most beau- tiful medieval village in Italy. The quickest but less scenic solution is to take the SS73 up to the Gubbio-Umbertide exit. For this tour I have taken the alternative route. I rode the Soara stream along the SP106, to Pietralunga. This is a secondary road but very pretty and scenic and in my opinion, is much more enjoyable than a motorway. It all depends on the time available as to which route you choose. Once in Gubbio, you will see its beautiful historic centre perched on the slopes of Mount Ingino. If you have never been there, I suggest you take a stroll to Piazza Grande. In Ur- bino, we are in a city of art of inestimable historical and artistic value, so go for a walk along its streets and stop to enjoy a glass of wine in one of the many inns (but only if you are finished riding for the day. I enjoyed delicious truffle pastas at the San Martino trattoria. After Gubbio there is another stage waiting for you, that of Scheggia and Pascelupo, which provides a journey inside a stunning, narrow gor- ge. Once reaching the top, continue in the direction of Scheggia. If you have time, go up to Monte Cucco, frequented by para- gliding and hang-gliding enthusiasts and full of extraordinary caves. The Scheggia - Serra S. Abbondio connecting road has a very small track but, let me tell you, it is super scenic! It offers fabulous routes with the road passing through the middle of the rock gorges. Be aware of the hairpins and be sure to use your horn.Once you reach Serra S. Abbondio there is another stop for two-wheel enthusiasts, make your way to the hamlet of Buonconsiglio and from there follow the signs for Mon- te Catria. You can get there along a road which you will need to follow at low speed (it’s not a pass), which is usual for narrow or very uneven roadways. Monte Catria is the highest point in the province of Pesa- ro and the Apennine tract from Sibillini to themountains of Bologna. Two of themost prominent natural and cultural areas to be noted: Tecchie Wood, for the rich variety of flora and fauna and the Fonte Avellana monastery, which rises as a marvellous structure between rocks and woods. Dan- te Alighieri made this mountain famous in a passage of the Divine Comedy where he quotes: “Between two Italian litters, you cut stones, and not far away from your own country, asmuch as thrones aremuch lower, and they make a gibbo called Catria , beneath which it is consecrated, which can only be placed on the floor. ” Climbing to the summit continue in the direction of Chiaserna-Cantiano and the descent be- gins, with new glimpses and views of the valley. At the foot of the mountain, SP50 brings you to Cantiano, known for the excellent “Chiaserna” bread, mixed with fresh spring water and no salt. From here take the historic Via Flaminia, in the direc- tion of Cagli, an ancient Byzantine town that is reached by the river Burano, which creates suggestive natural pools and wa- terfalls (Le Pozze di Cagli). This area is crossed by numerous rivers and streams and there is an abundance of places of interest, such as the road crossed by the Bosso River that from Cagli leads to Pia- nello (SP29). From here you can get to the top of the plateau of Mount Petrano, at 1,100m, It is famous for the spectacular blooms that occur in the spring months with the famous narcissus, orchids, violets and forget-me-nots. If you are riding a motor- cycle with dotted wheels, take the scenic white road that climbs from the resort of Palcano. Returning to Via Flaminia you will reach the town of Acqualagna, the Truffle Capital, and then the visually stunning Furlo Gorge. We are almost at the end of this, hopefully, exciting motorcycle ride, but before returning to the salty air of the Adriatic coast, you can opt for a short stop at San Lazzaro, and the hamlet of Fos- sombrone, to admire the Giants’ Marbles, a divide crossed by the river Metauro. All that is left is to take the SS73 BIS in the direction of Fano, a town that in history was an important Roman centre, overlo- oking nearby Pesaro, on the Adriatic Sea. The full tour can be completed over a we- ekend but there are so many places along the way that are worthy of a visit for a few hours so if you can, extend your stay by a TWO-WHEEL MUSEUMS GIVI Magazine Novembre 2017 - Turismo 21