Forlimpopoli on MTB
La Romagna dello SpungoneItinerary: Forlimpopoli, San Donato, Forlimpopoli
This loop-route starts from Forlimpopoli, an urban centre in Romagna where it feels like you are journeying through time. It is here that in the 2nd century BC the Romans founded Forum Popili and it is here that you can visit the Fortress of Forlimpopoli, a residence that belonged to the Ordelaffi family, the lords of Forlì who ruled between the 12th and 16th centuries. Although the first 30 km of the route are almost all flat, don’t let it fool you. The climb that leads up to the town of Bertinoro will in fact make it hard for even the fittest cyclist; this does in fact extend for 3 km with gradients of up to 9%. Once you reach the town centre, recharge your batteries, fill your water bottles and look out from the terrace of the “Balcony onto Romagna” to enjoy a wonderful view over the entire valley. A couple of other short but sometimes very tough climbs await you before reaching Forlimpopoli.
Path taken from: www.laromagnadellospungone.it
Curiosities
Artusi Festival – A writer and gourmet, Pellegrino Artusi was not only the most illustrious citizen of Forlimpopoli, but can also be considered the founder of modern Italian cuisine. In order to pay tribute to the man and to the excellence of Romagna’s gastronomic tradition, in June every year the streets of the old-town centre of Forlimpopoli are transformed into a large osteria and a great cultural workshop.
