ROOTS is a project that aims to create a collection of off-road bikepacking routes and to grow our network of wild camping spaces in nature for adventure. The Sibillini Mountains hosted the first edition of ROOTS. ROOTS is a unique trip offering a combination of adventure, nature, and community. Taking place on a challenging route, people cycled to a different base camp each day to spend the night. Three stages, two base camps, and 20 cyclists shared this experience, a journey of gravel, grit, and good times. From dawn to dusk, the sense of sharing and togetherness was at the heart of it all.
STAGE 1: 80km – 2,250m: The event started from the Agricampeggio il Collaccio in the locality of Preci. The day included one of the most breathtaking climbs in the Sibillini Mountains, leading to the crossing of the Fargno pass at 1,850m. To reach it, the cyclists first had to negotiate short but steep sections under the Val di Panico and the long dirt climb from the Fiastra lake to the Fargno refuge. Spirits were high when everyone reached the refreshment point on the Piani di Pao, but the mood took a serious turn when threatening clouds loomed over the mountains. The arrival and crossing of the pass proved more complicated than expected due to heavy rain that followed the cyclists all the way down to Pintura di Bolognola. The arrival at the base camp was a relief, waiting for them was a lit fire, a warm shelter, and a delicious dinner to repay the efforts of the first stage.
STAGE 2: 77km – 2,000m: Waking up early in the morning and after a hearty breakfast, the cyclists set off again, ready to face a new adventure. Steep climbs and technical, downhill, singletrack at the foot of Monte Vettore led the cyclists to the next refreshment point. After leaving there, a long asphalt climb to the Forca di Presta led the cyclists to a view of the Pian Grande di Castelluccio. The reward for the effort was crossing the plains at sunset before reaching the remains of the village of Castelluccio wounded by the 2016 earthquake. A handful of kilometres separated them from that night’s base camp, where there was a crackling fire, a hot drink, and other local delicacies awaited them before a well-deserved rest.
STAGE 3: 45km – 850m: Waking up early and setting off shrouded in thick fog. The day included reaching the Perugia hut and then the entrance to the singletrack of the Pian Grande ring to Colle Tosto, where the splendid landscape allows us to admire the entire view with the village of Castelluccio in the background. Short but steep hike-a-bike sections to the foot of Monte delle Rose followed and from here a long, steep descent into the valley and a final smooth section through the woods separated the cyclists from the final two kilometre ascent on asphalt to the Agricampeggio il Collaccio and the end of the event.
On arrival, the finishers shared one final meal together as a group. ROOTS is a journey full of challenges, discoveries, and togetherness. We’re sure that this first edition will stay with them long after they return home.
