Solo Bikepacking the Tuscany Trail: The Ride That Changed Everything!

What happens when an ultra racer slows down? I rode the Tuscany Trail solo, the biggest bikepacking event in the world and discovered it’s not about racing, but experiencing. From white gravel roads to coastal cliffs and ancient cities, this was a true solo bikepacking adventure that changed how I see cycling.

🎒 Route
📍 Tuscany Trail Official: https://www.tuscanytrail.it
📍 Full route with GPX:

🎥 Footage credits:
Drone shots & additional camera footage by @darimalessandrodaprato

🙏 Special thanks:
Huge thanks to Toscana Promozione Turistica, Regione Toscana for supporting this adventure and making it possible and Bike Adventure Series@tuscanytrail

Let’s ride slower. Look deeper. And feel more.

What if I told you the biggest bike packing event in the world has no winners, no clock, no pressure, 450 kilometers. But it’s not just white gravel roads. It’s coastlines, forest, ancient cities and food. I went solo, but I was never alone. A real adventure camping outside, messy, magical, totally unexpected. It made me slow down, look around, and it changed everything. This is the Tuskani trail. [Music] The official route this year is 440 km with 6,000 m of elevation, but I added a deviation to Voltera, making it 455 km. It starts at Campina Maritima. Then it follows the coastline, which is quite flat at the beginning until you reach the first base camp at Paganico. From there we continue on the rolling hills and wide gravel roads until Sienna, a historical city. On day three, then is up into the mountains towards Voltera. And the final day we cross some natural parks and then back to the beginning to Campilia Maritima. Okay, I’m at the airport on my way to Italy. So I’m flying from Shipo airport to Pisa and then I think I will take a train. Made it to Pisa and my bike too now to take the train and make it there. So in Pisa airport is great. They have a bike station and they have tools lifesaver and an amazing Allen key. They got everything. A pump. This is the best airport I’ve been for cyclists. Thanks to that, I kind of managed to assemble my bike. Now I have to go to Pisa station that is nearby 1.1 kilometers and take a train to the start of the Tuscanany trail tomorrow. Let’s see. The weather is a bit rainy. Okay, now I have to buy a train ticket. So you can go to the train Italia uh website and buy it online. They have a trains that they allow your your bike especially during the dates of the Tuscanany trail. We trying to get to Campilina de Maritima. Let’s see. Woo. Ah, 530 €9. So, you can purchase a bike ticket. We just did. And there’s bike compartments and you can just take your bike on the train. That’s super cool. Okay, made it to the train. [Music] This is my setup for the Tuscanany trail. I have my Rose back road bike. Then my Garm Computer Insta 360 Tailpin top tube back. The Telpin new cargo Aero pack is really nice with some pockets. And the Telpin Pier is really nice. Super stable in the desense. Let’s go. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Good morning. Day one of the Tuscanany trail. We are here at the start. A lot of people at the registration. It opens at 1. It’s sunny, so hopefully no more rain. It’s super cool. They have a fair around so you can find uh some help if you need like uh I had to repair my bike this morning. All the screws were loose and you also have some uh shops with local products and it’s super cool. The atmosphere is really nice. I really like that it’s a bike packing event, no racing. Our friends from Victoria suggested to change tires, but in any case to check the pressure. Oh yes, if you can help me with the pressure. I think it’s losing it’s losing the sealant is not sealing well uh if it’s not sealing well we have to choose a better sealant for example ours by the way we test together the pressure calculator so now we simulate what we are going to do so uh gravel I would say gravel uh endurance no backpacking in the front 130 and the rear 244 so I’m here with the pizza crew We are here at the start with Joel. He’s riding the Tuscanany 12 for the first time. It was super fun to meet other riders at the registration, but I was ready to roll. The registration is done in waves over several days to avoid overcrowding in the trail. I chose the first wave at 1:00 p.m. The start of the Tuskani trail, day one, leaving now. Super excited now. The weather is good and sunny. Can’t wait. On day one, I rode 137 kilometers. My objective was to make it to the first base camp in Paganico. The first part of the route was fairly flat with smooth gravel roads and some stretches of tarmac. There were some rough parts by the seaside, but it was okay. Then I continue more inland towards the first base camp where you can just pitch your tent there. And it’s a really nice place to regroup, meet people, and really soak in the atmosphere of the Tuscanany trail. [Music] [Applause] Wow. So far, the landscape is so amazing and it changes quite a lot. I thought would be all white gravel, but no. There’s trails, there’s gravel, and the soil changes a lot. [Music] So sweet. Some free water for riders. [Music] made some friends. Hey, now we are now by the seaside after 42k. So nice. I feel like jumping into the sea and we have tailwind. Pretty amazing. [Applause] [Music] So the views of the seaside, you have to stop photo [Music] Quick stop for a snack with views. This is life. What we can see there? The aisle of Elba. Elba. Ah, Elba. [Music] It was a beautiful sunny day and the landscape by the seaside was stunning. And I was having so much fun meeting all the riders along the way. I was riding solo, but I was never alone. I made a lot of friends along the way. This is very different from ultra cycling where you’re just competing against each other. Here is about sharing the experience and enjoying. Okay, so it’s 5:00 p.m. We are heading towards the mountains now from the coast. It’s so beautiful, very tuskanlike. I’m really excited. I think I will ride for a few hours and then pitch the tent. Okay, 130k in. So beautiful. Still sunlight is six. So I’ve been riding for 5 hours. 103k in. So let’s see when is the next village for resupplies. Is so nice. So beautiful. I cannot stop looking around and it smells so good. It’s like flowers all the time. A cool thing about the Tuscanany trail is that you have the privilege to ride through areas that are not normally accessible because they are privately owned, but special arrangements are made so you can cycle through it, which makes it really cool and allows the trail to be really nice and flowy, connecting the different parts as you roll through the hills. really cool area just before the sunset. Okay, making progress. Quite fast rolling. 121k I think 10 or 20 to the campsite. I hope. But of course, it’s uphill, so I hope to make it before the dark. Wow. But I love it. I just want to keep on riding all day. made it to the village uh of the campsite. It is called Paganiko. Ciao guys, good pizza. I got three slices of pizza takeaway. M look at that Italian way. [Music] Amazing. [Music] Now I have to figure out how to pitch my attent. I never slept outside by myself. [Music] After watching some YouTube videos and a good 40 minutes of trial and error with some help from other riders, I managed to pitch my tent. [Music] This was day one. Good night. See you tomorrow. [Music] It’s uh 5:30 in the morning. I think I slept like uh something like u 5 hours here in the tent. It gets quite cold and humid at night. So, it was good to have a sleeping mattress. And I had my sleeping bag and I put on the rain jacket to keep the warm. [Music] quite a few people staying on the camping ground. I think at least like a 20 or 30 people. So, it was good to be a bit farther. [Music] Okay, time for breakfast. [Music] All righty. So, it is 7:21 in the morning. I found a nice cafe. Need some caffing, some energy, and an Italian treat. I don’t know what it is, but for sure it’s good. Finding resupplies and a place to have breakfast was easy. And now it was time to keep on rolling on the trail. Wow, really nice views. Now it’s getting warm already. Super nice. Another day on the trail. As day two progressed, the landscape started to turn more Tuscan pictures like wine yards, white gravel roads and seessress trees along the way. The route today was 132 kilometers long. We started at the campsite in Paganiko and then into the rolling hills of Tuscanany and white gravel roads of Strrade Bianke as we make our way towards Sienna. There were two camp sites along the way base camps where you could stop, regroup, have a break camp. But I decided because there was a storm brewing in to continue towards Sienna. We stop here. Uh they have Wi-Fi. I have to do a business call. So that’s great. You have some local businesses and cafes that are associated with the Tuscanany trail and they are super nice and they have a lot of things for riders. I love it. [Music] [Applause] [Music] So, after some climbing, nice views. You have to earn it here, huh? Day one was rather flat and fast, but day two is a lot of climbing. Today was probably one of my favorite days. It was super beautiful with the white gravel roads, riding through the small villages. Felt like I was in a movie. And it was super fun with all the riders along the way. There was a bit more elevation than the previous day, but I really enjoyed this nice smooth descents and also the climbs as I made my way to the second base camp in Castion Diora. Quick break at Castillion Diors. You pass through all these uh beautiful small villages and it’s so nice and there’s so many nice cafes and the views are breathtaking. But uh wo these climbs made me sweat. [Music] But it was not just white gravel roads. There was also some forest and trail which made it really fun. As I continue my way towards PiA, we passed by Vald Deorsia, a UNESCO heritage site where Gladiator was filmed. I felt like in a movie and finally reach PiA for a welldeserved lunch break pasta pomodoro. Really good. Worth the climb here in PiA. [Music] And we all know the food in Italy is amazing, especially in Tuskani. Now, I was on a hunt for a gelato. It’s really hot today. Uh I think it might rain, so have to push it a bit, but couldn’t escape a good gelato. [Music] I’ve done like um 75K. Yeah. And I think I have another 40 to go. Uh-huh. [Music] Now in the Via Fragansina that’s part of the Eurobelloo that I’m follow later in my trip. It’s really nice. This gelato was energizing. Let’s continue. Wow, I love this landscape. Riding here is so much fun. It started to get a bit more windy in the afternoon and there was a forecast for a storm coming in at 5:00 p.m. So, I started to rush a little bit more riding fast through the Estra Deani white gravel roads. It was amazing. I felt like a pro cyclist trying to avoid the rain coming in the afternoon and I passed by another of the base camps along the way. We are Sienna booked a last minute hotel because it’s going to rain. So, let’s see how it goes. It’s been a bit of a sprint here to avoid the rain. Made it to Sienna. Just when I arrived, the storm started. Last minute, change of plan. I wanted to come but uh it’s a storm now. So I managed to find this super nice apartment. The owner was super nice and friendly. Even helped me with the bike. Totally recommend it. Life saver. This pizza looks amazing in Sienna. [Music] [Applause] Hey, so staying in a apartment in Sienna. Change of plans. I started uh a storm and pouring rain. So decided not to come tonight. Also, my tent was wet from yesterday. So I let it dry tonight, take a shower, and maybe tomorrow I will go to the campsite. Let’s see how it goes. Day three of the Tuscanany trail. Having breakfast, coffee, and pastries for 350. That’s really nice. energized for the day. Today is a shorter day. It was a slow start of the day in Siena, so I decided to do a shorter day, only 79 kilometers, and soaking in the landscape along the way. I made a small deviation up the climb to Voltera that was in my bucket list for a long time to enjoy nice views and food. I started riding at 1000 a.m. because my tire wasn’t holding air. I made a quick stop to a bike shop in Sienna. That was lifesaver. They managed to fix it and I was back on track. So, woke up in Sienna. Now it’s 10k away from Sienna. We get into gravel. It’s really nice. Today is sunny. So, I got lucky. Good weather. Really nice. Uh, I’m going to I think I’m going to make a little deviation and stay in Voltera. I always wanted to visit, but Oh, it’s amazing. I love it. It’s so much fun here. There’s a lot of hikers. Seems to be a popular area, I think. Sienna was super nice. I had an amazing pizza. I had espresso and pastries for breakfast for only 350. It was great. And then uh luckily they helped me in the bike shop because I’m a disaster to be honest. And now continuing towards Voltera. Let’s see how it goes. Another day in Bravo Paradise. [Music] Uh we are here. There’s a stand for riders and you can have a coffee and some sweets. Really nice. I think I need one. [Music] I met a group of Italian riders and we continue riding together. I love this from the Tuscanany trail. A strangers become friends. We reached this part of the old town that was quite steep. So I decided to walk and have a rest to enjoy the amazing views. Amazing views. Worth the climb. Sometimes you bike, sometimes you hike. [Music] [Applause] [Music] So, I just had a nice espresso. There’s so many volunteers and people along the way. Now making progress on the bike towards Voltera. It’s a bit more muddy than yesterday because it rained quite a lot during the night. Luckily, I escaped the rain, but it’s still super nice and fun. [Music] Working for the views, riding with my Italian friends for a while. I love it that there’s so many beautiful small towns and people are so friendly everywhere. [Music] Super beautiful town. I love it. So nice because you always find really nice people along the way. [Music] [Applause] River crossing, walking or cycling climbing today. I’m quite steep. Better bring good gears. [Music] Nice volunteers here at the Tuskani jail. We are at the base camp of Campilia. Campilia. Yeah. So you can sleep here. Right. On the second part of the route, there was much more elevation. There were some steep climbs. So, I was happy to have a mallet setup, especially with all the luggage, but then you are rewarded with really fun descents. I love that the descents are actually not very technical, so you can really enjoy it. And it’s a reward of all the climbing, perfect gravel. Ong the way you have historical medieval towns like Sanjimaniano which was a short deviation from the route and much more as you cycle along the trail. You have different kinds of terrain. I climb up all the way to Voltera and I was rewarded with amazing views of the Tuscan hills and of course an ice cream is supposed to be one of the best. Quick deviation to Voltera. Finishing with a great ice cream and great views. [Music] It’s a time to finish the day. [Music] So decided to stay in a monastery here in Boltera. I saw it and I couldn’t resist. It’s so nice and uh yeah, it was a great deviation. Great food and amazing views. Here we are, day four of the Tuscanany Trail, heading towards my first breakfast spot, but already so beautiful. Every day feels like a treat to me. Time to drop from Voltera back into the Tuskani trail route to head towards Montikati Vald Dichina. My first breakfast spot and also one of the base camps where you can sleep and have some amazing food to energize before the climbs at the natural reserve on Monty Puroli de Casselli before you drop down into Campilia Maritima and completing the route by the early afternoon. [Music] You have all kinds of terrain. You encounter white gravel, red gravel. So nice. It keeps it really interesting to ride. [Music] We are in the base camp at Monte Catini Valdesina. We have some Italian friends. Yeah. Italy. Italy. Yeah. Uh Colombia. [Music] I’m on the base camp in one of the villages and found a really nice place for breakfast. I love it because all the villages and towns in Tuscanany welcome all the riders. Is a super good vibe that you only get here. And got some kantoini of course and the coffee of the day to energize. [Music] That was a steep climb. Had to burn the canto, right? I’m used to racing and just rushing through places. But this time, I could take my time, look around, and appreciate the beauty around me. I didn’t want it to end. Instead of going fast, I try to go slow and extend it as much as possible. [Music] Okay. From around the world here, huh? Island locals at Quetto. Yes. Riders are welcome, right? [Music] black and white gravel. Riding through the natural reserve of Monte Puroli Caseli was one of my favorite parts. Changing gravel roads and forest made it really fun. The gravel changes a lot here. black, white, the colors of the Tuscanany trailer. [Music] Looking back, I was really happy with my bike choice, the Roser back road gravel bike with 40 mm tires and a mallet setup, which was fast rolling on the gravel, but also gave me some grip and gears for the climbs. I had plenty of capacity with my telephone bags to carry all my camping gear, clothes, and food. But everybody’s welcome. I saw people with mountain bikes, gravel bikes, and even egravel bikes. Last stretch to the finish line. [Music] finish line of the Tuscanany trail. Here we are. Made it. Oh, I wish it was longer. I don’t want it to finish. Uh, was amazing. I mean, I’m already looking forward to doing it again. Finish the Tuscanany trail. Definitely add it to your bucket list. I had so much fun. Best event ever. Now, some rest. Woo! [Applause] Don’t forget to check the video description for the pool route and information.