57km Lariano to Subiaco
Many hundreds of year old Olive trees, Olevano Romano
Lariano to Subiaco
Ride overview
Day 2
After the excitement of yesterday, the first part of the ride today is gently pastoral, and you are lulled into a false sense of ease. However, as the morning glides past, you are shaken from your reveries with the first of several 30% climbs. Each hike-a-bike section on the rough concrete paths is through ancient olive groves and the pushing gives you time to enjoy the gnarly old trunks and the twisted forms of the trees, many of which were around when the Romans ruled. The views each time you crest a hill are stupendous and the atmospheric villages seem to have been left by time and tourists. Subiaco is the destination today and for those who tour with their bikes regularly, today’s distance might seem short for a day’s journey. For sure, you can press on into the the mountain wilderness, but accommodation especially out of season, becomes a challenge. Subiaco is a fascinating and atmospheric place and it well worth spending time wandering around the monasteries which are reputedly the oldest monasteries in Europe.
Ride practicalities
START/FINISH: Lariano/Subiaco. DISTANCE: 57KM. TOTAL ASCENT: 1387m TERRAIN AND SURFACES: rolling and then very hilly - mixing short sharp climbs with long grinds. Navigation can be tricky, especially the turn-offs onto farm tracks, so follow the downloaded map carefully. FOOD/STAY: Olevano Romano; Sora Maria e Arcangelo is reputed to be an excellent restaurant (Michelin listed), whilst opposite is Mastrongiacomo, an adequate sandwich bar, Subiaco; Civico 69, a bakery with cheap, simple rooms. Restaurant Aniene in the town centre is OK.