From Loreto to Rome by bike, driven by history

In the year of Jubilee and in the year of Walks a double blessing commands us to go, backpacking along the ancient routes of Italy.

Who loves to travel on foot or by bike through nature, history and holy places, is the protagonist of these projects in addition to the already existing 6,500 km of hiking trails, from the most to the less known.

The last one is the bike path that connects Loreto to Rome, the Marche’ shrine-town and the Holy City. In the middle, the green hills and the countryside, the 'jewel' villages, the art treasures.

From the basilica that guards the house of the family of Nazareth to the heart of the Jubilee - through Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis - there are 328 km that recall the journey of so many pilgrims of the past.

The Via Lauretana, once also known as the Sanctuaries Route, touches other spiritual centers such as San Nicola in Tolentino, and winds through the heart of Italy, among the hills undulations and medieval stones towns.

Conceived as "the first permanent pilgrimage bicycle route in Italy" it will be opened with a five-days cycle tour, from June 14th to 18th, departing from Loreto and arriving at the Pope’s general audience in St. Peter’s square.

The event is organized by the Italian Cycling Federation and by the Cycling Racing Organizers Association, in cooperation with the Roman Opera Pilgrimage. "It’s an initiative that arises spontaneously", says the president of the Italian Cycling Federation, Renato Di Rocco.

The initial idea was to organize a non-competitive bike race, on the occasion of the Jubilee, from October 2nd to 4th (the day dedicated to St. Francis), a sort of revival of the Rome-Assisi tour. Then "in a meeting with Monsignor Liberio Andreatta, administrator of the Roman Opera Pilgrimage - says Franco Constantine, president of the cycling races’ organizers - we have instead launched a project for a cycling tour from Loreto to Rome", following the trail of a pioneer of the cycle-pilgrimage: the theologian Giovanni Battista Mondin.

A great opportunity to reclaim the beauty of the ‘slow’ journey, and the value of our historical paths. The example is always Santiago de Compostela, the best known of modern travelers’ route: every year it attracts 200 thousand people and 30,000 (15%) choose to travel it by bike.

For the President of CONI Giovanni Malago “crossing the country and its symbolic places with a vehicle such as the bicycle is a great idea". Enough to promise: "If Rome 2024 will host the Olympics, I will be very happy to travel myself the bike route, and in just 3 stages!”.

Since for the cycle tour in mid-June not everyone will be as fit as the President Malagò bound by solemn vow, the 328 kilometers of the Via Lauretana will be divided into four stages.

"In this way - explains Constantine - participants will stop in Tolentino, Orte and Amelia, as well as Assisi and Rome, to admire the sights and meet the locals. In addition to the stops, there is the possibility of food and accommodation and we can count on technical support points, thanks to the collaboration of local retailers".

By June 14th there will be a dedicated signage along the roads, which have been chosen not only because secondary and walkable (other paths are possible only on foot) but also because they are closely tied to the historic routes of the pilgrims (Francigena and Lauretana primarily).

Keep in mind that part of the state road #77 of Colfiorito (touched by the path) from May is cut off from ordinary traffic for the opening of a new trunk road. "And this - the organizers explain - overly favors the movement of cycle-pilgrims that will be able to ride safely".

Another positive feature: you can get to Loreto in Marche also by train, thanks to the regional train that connects Loreto to Ancona.

Who then does not want to miss the debut of the Lauretana Cycle path can find the entire program on the dedicated website. Very useful also for those who, missing the appointment, want to plan by themselves the route with the stages and other information.

INFO:
www.camminilauretani.eu
e-mail: costantino_franco@tiscali.it (for the cycling tour)