Simone Venturelli talks about his Tuscany Trail with Gravel Overland
An unmissable event for our super Simo, the Tuscany Trail is the most famous bikepacking event in Italy that passes through the most beautiful villages in Tuscany with a unique route of 440km with 5900 meters of altitude difference.
Simone Venturelli tells us about it in his three days on the Gravel Overland , the perfect bike for tackling long distances on mixed terrain in bike packing. Designed for 360° gravel, Overland has a lightweight and high-performance carbon frame that weighs just over a kilo, designed to ensure riding stability on uneven surfaces. The slightly elongated sloping geometry gives it a racing-comfort setting, and thanks to the 50mm wheel clearance, smoothness is ensured even on the muddiest terrain. The bike packing provisions allow you to set it up even for longer trips, for long-lasting fun.
Travel Stories: Day 1
Starting from the Agriturismo Le Rondini Di San Bartolo (San Vincenzo LI) after about ten km of transfer, I arrive at the Fiera di Venturina Terme where my Tuscany 2025 officially starts! This year, after last year's experience of doing it one shot in 40h, I decide to face it more calmly, enjoying the wonderful Tuscany and dividing the experience into 3 days.
We start by going up to Campiglia Marittima, then going down towards the sea, which was really rough due to the strong wind, but the suggestive locations win over everything; Follonica, Cala Violina and Castiglione della Pescaia where a stop was also organized with a tasting of local wine, a continuous succession of corners with breathtaking views.
The day continues by starting to tread the Tuscan hinterland, and the usual tough climb to Paganico presents itself, and with subsequent continuous ups and downs I arrive at San Angelo in Colle, where from there a few km away I arrive at the first host of the day: Podere il Cocco (Montalcino SI).
A first day that started with a bang, unique landscapes and climbs that immediately put you to the test, the first day is coming to an end and I already want to get back in the saddle…
Travel Stories: Day 2
It's time to leave Podere il Cocco (Montalcino SI); today I cross Tuscany towards the north, and my journey begins with the splendid Castiglione d'Orcia, to then continue and stop with a rigorous drone in Bagno Vignoni, a unique corner where you can not help but admire the charm of this natural area.
Lunchtime arrives and in Pienza I decide to stop in a grocery store on the city walls, a super good choice to enjoy a typical Tuscan sandwich.
I continue pedaling and reach another place that has marked me; Buonconvento, a place where last year I stopped to sleep on a bench, all the memories of that unforgettable night have passed through my head.
Continuing I begin to head towards Siena and its clays, white roads in excess for km and km, without taking anything away from the entire journey done in these days, but in my opinion it was the most fascinating and astonishing stretch, these roads fill your heart and make your mind travel.
Siena doesn't need to be described, its Piazza del Campo is always iconic and deserves a shot every time; dinner time is approaching and I leave again towards the host where I will be staying tonight: Sportland (Colle di Val d'Elsa SI).
Travel Stories: Day 3
Last day in Tuscany, after a rich breakfast I set off again with a nice climb to the top of Colle di Val d'Elsa and then continue towards San Gimignano which immediately reactivates all my emotions, having left this postcard behind today a rather wild route awaits me, between leg-breaking climbs and thick, fresh woods.
Volterra is not included in the route this year but the next destinations are all small, very characteristic and suggestive villages such as: Montecatini Val di Cecina, Caneto and Suvereto. Leaving Suvereto, a very fun descent begins, all to drive, which leads to the finish line.
Needless to say, it was an unforgettable experience for the second time, and I repeat, as always, travelling by bike in slow motion allows you to see things that you would normally miss!
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