a Tribute to il Pirata touching San Marino

August 16th, 2021

​

Having a sceduled meeting at a potential bicycle distributor for SP Connect in Italy in the afternoon i did an early bird that day. Not far from home of Marco Pantani i decided to drive by car to Cesenatico to do a loop and catch a new country for my list even i was in San Marino already years before but without tracking.

​

The day started with a nice sun rise and a start for the ride next to the famous channels in town. I followed a tracked tour on Komoot which was leading me on smaller roads hiding from traffic. It started flat  so i could rest my legs a bit after Monte Zoncolan the day before. Entering the area of Rimini also it started to go a bit uphill. I enjoyed the view onto fields ending in the Adriatic Sea and on the otherside hilly landscape coming closer. 

​

There are a few ways to reach the castle of San Marino on top of the mountain centered within the tiny country. I did choose a smaller road and had to pass San´t Andrea and Santo Marino in Italy to finally enter Dwarf State in Gualdicciolo. A climb not that long with 7-11% was enough that day as i felt my legs from the day before. But at the end it´s worth as always and the prize was a perfect view down to the sea. A good morning coffee with a croissant in front of the entrance of the castle was a nice break after sightseeing.

​

The ride down was quite bumpy as roads could be in better conditions. As it was mid of summer also temperatures picked up reaching during the day the 40ies. A differnt way down through Santarcangelo di Romagna brought me a little earlier onto the coast line and then along back to Cesenatico.

​

As a last stop it was a must to visit Monumento a Marco Pantani close to the beach and the Pantani museum at the train station. Riding the training hills of il Pirata and thinking about his role in Pro Cycling will always something special to remember.

​

​

bike: Pretty Betty Specialized Tarmac S-Works

starring: Gerry Samer