Tuscany Trail 2017: My Bikepacking Adventure Across Tuscany
After days of feverish anticipation, I finally found myself at the station, ready to set off on what would prove to be an unforgettable adventure: the Tuscany Trail 2017. The scorching summer heat only served to fuel my impatience.
Setting Off from Massa
I spent the first night in makeshift accommodation—the gym was too crowded and stifling, so we opted for an alternative. Along with my travel companions—all of whom were fifteen years my junior—I managed only four hours of sleep. Between noisy motorcyclists, blaring music, and oppressive humidity, adrenaline kept me wide awake. Yet, when we arrived at the square for the official start, all the hardship was forgotten.
I met Davide at the starting line; we were certain we would get lost on the route almost immediately and never see each other again. But that is the beauty of supported solo adventures: every encounter is chance, and every pedal stroke is a discovery.
Day One: Heading to Pistoia
The route tested us right from the start. The climb was tough, but the descent was absolutely worth it. Contrary to my expectations, the gear held up perfectly: the bike handled rough terrain without a hitch, and the Specialized tires proved to be an excellent choice. The Apuan Alps treated us to breathtaking views as we navigated narrow, technical trails.
We clocked up 2,800 meters of elevation gain instead of the planned 3,200—all the better for it, I’d say. The early afternoon heat was brutal, but we arrived in Pistoia with the satisfaction of having conquered the first real test. The tires took a real beating on that terrain; I came close to getting a pinch flat at least four or five times, yet they held up magnificently.
Day Two: From Florence to Siena
We left Florence at 7 a.m., hoping for milder temperatures, and headed toward Siena. The landscape shifted dramatically: olive groves and vineyards replaced the mountains, though the constant ups and downs of the Tuscan hills gave our legs no respite.
The heat atop the hills was stifling, though we could catch our breath in the shaded sections. The surrounding hills created an atmosphere of surreal, almost hypnotic calm. We tried to start at a steady pace that morning, letting our “diesel engines” warm up so we could reach Siena without overexerting ourselves.
Here, too, the tires rewarded me with exceptional rolling efficiency on the faster stretches. Three and a half hours of riding without seeing a single café—the kind of experience that makes you appreciate every little oasis of civilization when it finally appears.
Arrival in Siena
At 7:00 PM on the second day, we reached the outskirts of Siena—another 100 kilometers with 2,500 meters of elevation gain, all under scorching heat. New adventure companions had joined us along the way. After a quick meal, we were already ready to press on into the unknown.
The 2017 Tuscany Trail was far more than just a bikepacking race: it was a test of physical and mental endurance, a journey through some of Italy’s most stunning landscapes, and an opportunity to share the struggles and triumphs with people who shared the same passion. Every climb, every descent, and every kilometer pedaled left an indelible memory of this magnificent Tuscan adventure.
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