I start following the Velino river to Marmore, where my navigation wants to lead me down the local 150 m waterfall. I take a picture instead and ride around into the Nera rover valley. Here I follow the gravel bike path that in parts is more like a mountainbike trail that normal cycle path. But it’s smooth and fun and I cam recover at the end, when I take my lunch break next to a bridge over the Nera river and enjoy its cool water.
From Sant’Anatolia di Narco to Spoleto, I once again follow a repurposed railway line, this time on gravel. Except for the steep beginning, it winds peacefully along the mountainside, interspersed only by quite a few unlit tunnels, the longest of which is 2 km! A great reprieve from the midday heat. On the other side, long viaducts await me on the way down into the valley.
The route over the plains from Spoleto to Assisi leads along a canal and the light wind is the only thing keeping me from blowing up from the heat. Some of the route is thankfully on the shade.
On the way to Assisi, I pass through the small town of Bevagna, where either preparations for some kiind of medieval festival is taking place, or it’s just the normal state of the town. Medieval devices for every kind of handcraft is everywhere.
Assisi is much less crowded than I expected, even thoufh it’s a Saturday. The town is obviously full of old houses, little streets and churches.Still, the overall view is dominated by it’s large castle at the top of the hill.
I ride out into the hills behind Assisi as the sun sets.
140 km, 2700 m elevation