The views from San Leo are absolutely just that. If Romance ever dies then it's resting place could so easily be the rolling hills and vales surrounding San Leo ... or Mondaino ... or Italys oldest university town Urbino, or Tavoleto, Morciano DiRomagna, Fano, Santarcangelo, Tavullia etc etc etc.
There is however, a place in Italy that's alltogether NOT Italien. The tiny principality of San Marino.
Situated to the south-southwest of Rimini, cars from San Marino bear the sign RSM.
The ride out of Misano is fairly flat apart from one or two 10 percenters.
The main climb starts after 20kms at 100 meters above sealevel. The next 15kms are upward till you reach 700 meters. Ambitious cyclists will wind through tourists up the slippery redbricked flooring to the monastry at the top where they bump their frontwheel in to the large wooded door. A ritual that's been going on for years, and the only way you can claim to have cycled up San Marino.
I took a group up the steep slopes, reminding them of their technique for hill climbing; Sitting up straight and riding at your own pace, not the next persons. I don't bump my front wheel anymore, I did that in 2007 which was enough. Now I take a coffe, some icecream and perhaps a sandwich.
It took 2 hours and 20mins to make it to the top. The ride is then basically over. The way home is down hill, some parts are very down hill bringing the bike up to and just above 70km/h is pretty thrilling, and makes it all worth the effort of slogging your guts out up the hill.
Back at the hotel, a sauna waited, a shower and an evening meal.
Job well done
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