L’Umbria si rimette in Moto
The first great event to relaunch tourism in Umbria
Tour Valnerina by motorbike – Let’s start over again from here. Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 March.
For further information: www.umbriamoto.it
The cities of Spoleto and Sant’Anatolia di Narco, the Spoleto Moto Club, in collaboration with Centro Rafting Gaia, il CEDRAV-Ecomusei della Valnerina, Spoleto Tourist Guides, Frantoio Il Poggiolo, propose for Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 March a charming itinerary, named Valnerina in Moto – Ripartiamo da qui (Italian for Valnerina by motorbike – Let’s start over again from here), to discover breath-taking landscapes and lesser-known burgs, yet rich in history and traditions. Hospitality services will be managed by ConSpoleto.
The event is included in the project L’Umbria si rimette in Moto, the first great event to relaunch tourism in Umbria. Many cities and local motorcycle clubs have joined in, answering to an invitation by the city of Assisi, to draw a number of motorbike itineraries for the enthusiasts and tourists, on the last weekend of March.
The meeting point for the registration of participants will be at the Former Spoleto-Norcia Railway Museum in via Fratelli Cervi 10, and will be open from 8.00 to 16.00. The City of Spoleto is developing a series of benefits for the participants: info at IAT Spoleto, 0743/218620 – email info@iat.spoleto.pg.it
Here’s the itinerary details, to be covered on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 March, while on Sunday 26 there will be a guided tour restricted to the first 60 teams that will register by calling 0039 348 7356565.
The tour La Valnerina in Moto – Ripartiamo da qui anticipates what you’ll enjoy along the route since its welcome point, inside the very interesting museum dedicated to one of the most beautiful railroads of the 20th century. The route starts on road SS395 and reaches Piedipaterno, then Castel San Felice with its very beautiful Abbey of St. Felice and Mauro, two Syrian hermits that evangelized the area in the 5th century. Sant’Anatolia di Narco comes next, where it is possible to visit the Hemp Museum (Museo della Canapa), open from 9.00 to 18.00; the museum displays working and weaving tools, a series of textile artifacts and the Textile Labs, restructured in hemp and lime. From Sant’Anatolia di Narco the itinerary goes on toward Gavelli, 1150 m above sea level, deep in the Coscerno/Aspra mountain areas, where eagles nest and where you can find an unexpected gem: a fresco by Giovanni di Pietro, a.k.a. Lo Spagna, portraying Madonna with St. Francis, St. Jerome and St. Anthony. Going on along roads SP 470 and SP 471, you reach Monteleone di Spoleto and its treasures, the farro (emmer, spelt or einkorn), and the Etruscan Chariot, a copy by the School of Manzù of the original, ancient parade chariot in golden bronze with ivory plaques, on display at the MET, NY. The Chariot’s Museum, hosted at the cellar of the Complex of St. Francis, will be opened on the two days of the event from 10.00 to 12.00 and from 14.00 to 18.00. In the afternoon of Saturday 25, from 14.00 to 18.00 it will be possible to taste local products in the square. The itinerary goes on then in the direction of Cascia, where hermitages, parish churches, votive aedicules, villas and castles are but the frame of the outstanding Sanctuary of St. Rita, the saint of impossible causes, and where you can taste the famous Roveja from Civita di Cascia. A historical motorbikes collection will be on display at the Leone XIII parking lot, on Saturday 25. The route goes on in the direction of Norcia, where life is slowly but steadily returning thanks to the will power of the population. As the bikers will leave Norcia toward the West, in Biselli they will be offered a special price by the Gaia Rafting Centre, to descend on rubber boat (nautical equipment will be provided by the Rafting Centre, bikers will only need to be provided with their own bathing suit, wool-cotton shirt, spare socks and towels). At the same centre it will be possible to access the suspended courses over river Corno, also with special prices for the bikers. For these activities, reservation is required, by calling 3487356565 or e-mailing to angelisa@asgaia.it. There is a restaurant in front of the Gaia Rafting Centre, called Ristorante dei Cacciatori, ready to prepare snacks based on the famous product of local charcuterie. Sunday 26, from 11.00 to 14.00, it will be possible to taste a delicious sandwich with pork meat cooked on the spot (please reserve by calling 0743822347). The route goes on then toward Borgo Cerreto, where you turn toward Sellano, whose production of files and rasps is documented since the 18th century: they are still produced following centuries-old methods, a tradition kept at the local museum. From Sellano you go on toward the Soglio Pass, to turn then toward Pié di Cammoro and Spina Nuova, along the old wayfarers’ route heading out to the Holy House of Loreto. Before returning to Spoleto, a visit can be dedicated to the small village of Eggi, a Medieval burg surrounded by centuries-old olive groves that produce a valuable olive oil. The village also stands along the Francis’ Way and the Olive Groves’ Trail, to be covered on foot or by mountain-bike if you wish to reach Assisi.
Guided tour, Sunday 26 March
(reserved to the first 60 teams that will register by calling 3487356565)
Approximate schedule
9.00 start from the Spoleto meeting point – Former Spoleto-Norcia Railway Station, via F.lli Cervi 10
11.00 stop in Biselli, Norcia, by the Gaia Rafting Centre, for a rubber boat descent or for the suspended courses at agreed-upon prices. At the Ristorante dei Cacciatori, in front of the Rafting Centre, sandwich and drink stop for 4,00 €
14.00 tour resumes
15.30, at Eggi, free tasting offered by Frantoio Il Poggiolo – Monini
18.30 aperitive-dinner at the Agriturismo Collelignani, via dei Pini 21, Eggi, Spoleto
Typical menu: local charcuterie, cheese, bruschetta, game and corn mush: 20,00 € per person, drinks included. Info and (required) reservation: 0743 49676 – 337 593930
