tastest

Hello, I am planning a trip riding from Rome Airport to Florence. I am considering some routes from Civitavecchia or Tarquinia up to Pienza, both routes going through Acquapendente.

One choice is west of the lake, through Valentano. This seems to have quieter roads, but fewer towns with hotels, and maybe hillier.

The second choice is east of the lake through Viterbo and Montefiascone. It has more towns, looks less hilly, but may be busier roads. Are the roads No1 b to Viterbo and SS 2 north of Viterbo okay for cycling? Wide shoulders and/or low traffic.

Any other suggestions appreciated.

Thanks

professorbob

I spent many summers in the area just to the west of Bolsena. The Via Cassia (SS2) can be narrow busy and fast in that area. No shoulders. Despite this, there are always tourists riding on the side of the road. But I would avoid it and do the western route. And it is hilly. All the small towns have some sort of restaurant or small (sometimes very small) hotel. You can then get back to the Cassia if you want at Acquapedente where the riding is more reasonable. There is a mile long tunnel after the first turnoff for Radicofani. Have bright red blinking tail lights! Or if you're adventurous enough, ride up the mountain to Radicofani and enjoy the view. There is another road back down to the Cassia on the other side of the tunnel.

Just know that the Via Auralia (A12?) on the coast is a superhighway from Fiumicino to Civatavecchia and probably not bikable. After that it isn't a great road to ride on either. There are routes through the hills and back country, but you'll have to plan well.

It sounds like a great adventure and I wish you well!

tastest

Hi Professorbob, thanks for the information. It is helpful to have some local knowledge. I decided to go on the west side of the lake, as you suggested. We will go inland at Tarquinia, up to Tuscania, then to Marta and around the lake probably stopping at Bolsema. We will then backtrack a little and head up to Acquapendente.

I will look on the map for the tunnel and maybe try to avoid. The tunnel does not show up on my map but I will look closer.

I have a question regarding the route along the coast to Civitavecchia. I was going to take the Via Aurelia, which is the SS1, based on someone else's ride, but it is a ride from several years ago. This is not the A12 which looks like the expressway. Are you saying that the SS1 is also not good? There are not many choices along the coast, but I can probably do some weaving and stay of the SS1 as much as possible.

Thanks again.

professorbob

Back in the olden days, I would just drive the A12 to Civitavecchia, then ss1 to Montalto di Castro. What you propose from Tarquinia should work. You would still néed to get from the airport to the Auralia. SS1 from Civitavecchia is a fast(ish) 4 lane highway. I'm not sure, but it might have a decent shoulder. Check it on Google Earth and zoom in close to see.

volosong

Sorry to highjack the thread. Are strobe tail lights and strobe front lights allowed on bicycles in Italy during the daytime?

tastest

Good suggestion. I checked several points along the road and it had decent shoulders. Also did for the tunnel you mentioned. At this point I am getting tired of route planning - all the routing sites are great but something to be said for just picking a route every day from a map. Thanks for the help