A two-day bike tour that will let you experience the atmosphere of Bologna’s hills and discover its history and natural features.

---

Description

The starting point of the tour is the central Piazza Maggiore and its Neptune Fountain. You’ll soon leave the city centre behind to head for the Parco dei Gessi Bolognesi e Calanchi dell'Abbadessa, a karstic park boasting marvellous landscapes.
Riding along the Gothic Line, a German defensive line built during World War II, you’ll cross the Flaminia Minor (or Flaminia Militare), an ancient Roman road that use to connect the Via Aemilia with Tuscany. At the end of your first day you’ll get to the Villaggio della Salute Più wellness centre, considered as the heart of the Emilia-Romagna “fitness valley”, where you can also taste some of the delicious local dishes served at the on-site restaurant. The wellness centre also includes a spa, the perfect place to recover your energy in view of the following day, and a water park with 24 pools and waterslides.

On your second day you’ll pedal along the Sillaro river valley up to the historic village of Dozza, that belongs to the Borghi più belli d’Italia network. Dozza owes its fame to the so-called Biennale del Muro Dipinto, a mural painting festival that takes place every second year, and to the Emilia-Romagna's Enoteca Regionale (a permanent wine exhibition and wine bar), housed inside the Rocca Sforzesca fortress.
Riding between hills and vineyards you’ll pass through the Bosco della Frattona nature reserve and finally get to the Enzo e Dino Ferrari race track in Imola, open to the public only on special days, and to the Acque Minerali park where the Ayrton Senna memorial stands.

1st stage: 50km; 1400m climb rise       
2nd stage: 50km; 800m climb rise

50% on tarmac and 50% gravel and dirt
The tour is available all year long

The tour doesn't include:

• Mountain bike rental
• Bike transport
• Bike cleaning
• Train tickets
• Anything not mentioned above

Mandatory equipment

• helmet
• cycling gloves
• wind-stopper or waterproof gilet or jacket (depending on
  the season)
• sunglasses 
• rucksack with hydration systems or water bottle
• Energetic bars or energy gels
• 2 spare inner tubes
• 2 Co2 Tire Inflator Cartridges or pumps

Notes and suggestions

Before starting, check the bicycle and be sure that the tires are in good condition and the brakes and shifter work correctly. Check and set the suspension too.
We suggest bringing an extra rucksack including a bathing suit, clothes for the evening and bike clothes for the following day that will be taken directly to the wellness centre or other meeting point by car. 

---

Highlights

The sequence and the number of visited highlights may be subject of last -minute changes

• 1
  

  Piazza Maggiore

  Square

• 2
  

  Castel San Pietro Terme

  City

• 3
  

  Autodromo di Imola

  Attraction