24 February 2023
Tuscany Trail 2023
Tuscany Trail 2023 changes route and Fulcrum will be there. For the third year we will be supporting the largest bikepacking event in the world: 500 km through the beautiful heart of Italy.
The 2023 Tuscany Trail is taking shape and what a shape: a new circular route. For some time the participants, who have grown to three thousand, have asked for a route that started and ended in the same place, to simplify the logistics of travelling back to the start point at the end of the event to collect cars or campers. The organisers undertook the challenge and with painstaking research created a new 480 kilometre route with 6,900 metres of climbing, through the Tuscan hills. The French style start will be in Donoratico, in the Livorno Maremma.
The event remains an unsupported bicycle adventure that the participants must complete by themselves, without technical nor mechanical assistance, pedalling through a route that includes white gravel roads, singletrack and paved roads. All that they can rely on is the GPS route. Every cyclist can choose how many stops to make, when and where to eat and whether to sleep and for how long. There are no time limits, nor results: everyone is free to decide their pace, whether to push ahead or pedal in the company of old and new friends.
Share, access and discover a unique land
Don’t be misled by the term unsupported. In actual fact the organisation behind the Tuscany Trail is first rate, as anyone who has taken part in past events can attest. The route, designed with great care, will be constantly monitored. The start village, in Donoratico, is a great place to meet the other participants, stroll through the stands of the sponsors and get into the Tuscan mood. It was the organisers’ intention to create an event to share, access and discover a unique landscape, through the pleasure and joy of pedalling peacefully and in harmony. Right from the outset the aim has been to offer the opportunity of visiting magical places, far from the crowds, that are best experienced at the slower pace of the bike. This is why the Tuscany Trail is the perfect off-road adventure for those who love challenges and adventure and, at the same time, want security and peace of mind.
What’s the best bike for the event: mountain bike or gravel bike? The choice is purely personal, based on your expectations. The important thing is that the bike is reliable and that it allows you to enjoy the route and the riding experience in full. We recommend fitting wheels that ensure low rolling resistance in the fast sections and stability in the technical off-road sections.
For gravel riders we have created the Rapid Red line with specific models for mixed paved and off-road use. The wheels, available in two sizes (700C and 650B), have wide inner channels that can seat wider tyres, thus ensuring stability and traction. The 2-Way Fit Ready system lets you choose whether to run the wheels tubeless or with traditional clinchers.
As we mentioned earlier we are not only sponsors of the Tuscany Trail, we will be taking part too, so this is a tip that we want to share. If it’s dry we recommend opting for a fast tyre and a setup that favours safety and comfort rather than out and out performance and speed. Such a long route will throw up multiple variables. Another essential aspect is the right mindset. Take time to look around you and admire the incredible landscapes that you can only find in Tuscany. Whatever happens smile, and have a chat with those you will share the journey with. It will be the best experience you can have on a bike, which will leave you with indelible memories.
