Motorcycling through the rolling hills of Tuscany
Set your GPS to Taverne d’Arbia, Vescona, Asciano, Casabianca, Sinalunga ...
Just hearing the name of “Tuscany,” the collective imagination is already here, traveling along the gentle hillside, spying an isolated farmhouse along an extensive avenue of cypress trees lined up like toy soldiers. Simple images that tell the story of the Crete Senesi, in a magical hillside area southeast of Siena, whose clay composition is due to its past as a marine basin. This particular area includes: Asciano, Buonconvento, Monteroni d’Arbia, Rapolano Terme and San Giovanni d’Asso.
All areas where Tuscany struts its stuff, like on Via Lauretana, one of the region’s finest catwalks. Give it some gas as you leave the E78 road from Taverne d’Arbia to Arbia. The itinerary immediately captivates with authentic precious miles and reassuring stretches of asphalt. Geometries shyly introduce a Tuscany of excellence, navigating soft rolling hills. Deciding which is more pleasurable—the ride or the view—is not easy but either way, you win! At almost regular intervals, on both left and right, inviting gravel roads branch off, pointing to nearby farmhouses.
Just hearing the name of “Tuscany,” the collective imagination is already here, traveling along the gentle hillside, spying an isolated farmhouse along an extensive avenue of cypress trees lined up like toy soldiers. Simple images that tell the story of the Crete Senesi, in a magical hillside area southeast of Siena, whose clay composition is due to its past as a marine basin. This particular area includes: Asciano, Buonconvento, Monteroni d’Arbia, Rapolano Terme and San Giovanni d’Asso.
All areas where Tuscany struts its stuff, like on Via Lauretana, one of the region’s finest catwalks. Give it some gas as you leave the E78 road from Taverne d’Arbia to Arbia. The itinerary immediately captivates with authentic precious miles and reassuring stretches of asphalt. Geometries shyly introduce a Tuscany of excellence, navigating soft rolling hills. Deciding which is more pleasurable—the ride or the view—is not easy but either way, you win! At almost regular intervals, on both left and right, inviting gravel roads branch off, pointing to nearby farmhouses.
Near Staffoli, on the right is a scenic serpentine of cypress trees indicating the road to the Leonina Castle. What a watercolor! Adjectives are not enough to describe Lauretana—you need prefixes: super, archi, ultra, hyper ... bella! At Mezzavia, ride to the ridge to appreciate the views of the village of Mucigliani even more. Gripping the handlebars, almost like a rudder, glide over bitumen rapids waiting for a cascade of hairpin bends.
Once past Vescona (an old manor house), as of the Km 9 mark along the road comes the jump. Hit the brakes and prepare for a rush of adrenaline and descent. Once you reach Fontanelle, take the hill with its panoramic bench at the Km 11-IIX mark. Pievina, and its parish church in the agricultural hamlet, present a fork in the road to Badia a Rofeno, a poetic destination awaiting some TLC. Among vineyards and houses scattered throughout the scenery comes the bridge over the Ombrone River that anticipates Asciano.
Near Staffoli, on the right is a scenic serpentine of cypress trees indicating the road to the Leonina Castle. What a watercolor! Adjectives are not enough to describe Lauretana—you need prefixes: super, archi, ultra, hyper ... bella! At Mezzavia, ride to the ridge to appreciate the views of the village of Mucigliani even more. Gripping the handlebars, almost like a rudder, glide over bitumen rapids waiting for a cascade of hairpin bends.
Once past Vescona (an old manor house), as of the Km 9 mark along the road comes the jump. Hit the brakes and prepare for a rush of adrenaline and descent. Once you reach Fontanelle, take the hill with its panoramic bench at the Km 11-IIX mark. Pievina, and its parish church in the agricultural hamlet, present a fork in the road to Badia a Rofeno, a poetic destination awaiting some TLC. Among vineyards and houses scattered throughout the scenery comes the bridge over the Ombrone River that anticipates Asciano.
To the right, signs beckon to the grandiose architecture of the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore. To the left, give a nod to the epic dirt road of Monte Sante Marie (the Eroica, a historic bicycle race, passes through here). Across the river, you enter Asciano where you can pull up in front of the ancient village walls. The historic town is replete with outstanding churches and monuments, such as Palazzo Corboli with the Civic Museum of Archeology and Sacred Art.
To the right, signs beckon to the grandiose architecture of the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore. To the left, give a nod to the epic dirt road of Monte Sante Marie (the Eroica, a historic bicycle race, passes through here). Across the river, you enter Asciano where you can pull up in front of the ancient village walls. The historic town is replete with outstanding churches and monuments, such as Palazzo Corboli with the Civic Museum of Archeology and Sacred Art.
Back on the road, the first fork to the right is all for the delightful village of Trequanda. The route continues along the SP438, with all detours to the left beckoning you to Rapolano and its hot springs. Then the road changes names to the SP10/A. Keep riding even if the scenery doesn’t hold a candle to the magic of the Crete Senesi, now an exquisite memory in the mirror.
At Casabianca, find typical products, while the DOCG Vineyards produce a grand finale in an attempt to boost the dip in scenery. Sinalunga begs for you to stop and check out its churches and the Palazzo Pretorio, with its Tuscan terracotta façade and tower. Well? Is it or is it not an awesome adventure?!
Back on the road, the first fork to the right is all for the delightful village of Trequanda. The route continues along the SP438, with all detours to the left beckoning you to Rapolano and its hot springs. Then the road changes names to the SP10/A. Keep riding even if the scenery doesn’t hold a candle to the magic of the Crete Senesi, now an exquisite memory in the mirror.
At Casabianca, find typical products, while the DOCG Vineyards produce a grand finale in an attempt to boost the dip in scenery. Sinalunga begs for you to stop and check out its churches and the Palazzo Pretorio, with its Tuscan terracotta façade and tower. Well? Is it or is it not an awesome adventure?!