 Many wishes for a beautiful day that will let you to cover a quite difficult distance, both for the length of the route and for the troubles to tackle. It is an undulate course, very difficult, through very historical and environmental interesting places and streets. You will meet many fortresses and castles, the most part belonging to the great Renaissance families of Montefeltro and Malatesta. They were princes, at the peak of their power, of Urbino and of Rimini; they were fighting for the possession of these wonderful lands.
From the port of Cattolica you go up to S.Giovanni in Marignano and Marciano, to face up the slope of Montefiore, dominated by the big fortress. Pay attention to the bends aong the downhill road, and again uphill towards Tavolato: you will see it at distance, with the Castle in the centre of the town.
Be careful at the descent to Casinina, it has rapid curves and bumpy road; Go up to Mercatale and Macerata Feltria. Wonderful landscapes and marvellous small villages everywhere, again with the slope of the Fagiola until enjoy a well-deserved rest at Monte Cerignone.
Its fortress (1200-1400) is fantastic and the old suburb very charming. You go down to Mercatino Conca and to Marciano. At the last stretch, unhurriedly covered crossing San Giovanni in Marignano you will arrive in Cattolica quite early. Almost 90 km., with at least 3 difficult slopes and a couple of descents to cover with the hands on the brakes. A difficult, but gratifying excursion. |
