a cycling expedition 2200 years in the making. hannibal · 2019. 12. 5. · roman aqueducts, cathar...

A Cycling

Expedition

2200 years in the

making.

HANNIBAL

ContEnts

A Historical Adventure 3

Stage 1 The Road less Travelled 11

Stage 2 Across the Alps 21

Stage 3 The Italian’s Italy 33

Stage 4 Classic Italy 44

Essentials 55

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Hannibal crossing the Rhone river with his elephants 218 BC

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n th

ese

symbols for online content

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PrEsEnting thE world’s most insPiring CyCling journEys.

Join us on a ride of historical proportions as we ride in the footsteps of Hannibal from Barcelona to Rome. Cycling on some of Europe’s most iconic and picturesque bike touring routes through Spain, France and Italy; this epic journey has it all.

Divided into 4 stages the Hannibal tour takes in some of the finest cycling you could ever wish to find. Picture postcard views abound as we traverse some of the iconic climbs of the Grand Tours, roll through the vineyards of the Languedoc, Provence, Piedmont and Tuscany, and sample the delights of the diverse gastronomy to be found along the route.

Experience total immersion into the landscape, history and culture of the places we visit as we ride this inspirational iconic trail on the road less travelled.

Discover from the saddle why Hannibal’s invasion of Rome in 218 BC was a major turning point in history. This was the clash of the ancient superpowers. If Hannibal had been victorious against Rome our world today would be completely different. The Western world wouldn’t have Rome at its origins, rather a Middle Eastern colony based in North Africa!

A historiCAl AdVEnturE

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The Hannibal expedition is one of our Epic Adventures. These are grand multi region journeys with a clear start and finish.

Imagine riding where Napoleon, Caesar or Marco Polo travelled before you, or in this case where Hannibal made his epic march in 218 BC and brought Rome to its knees!

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me ride with us

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A historiCAl AdVEnturE

Felix Lowe - Blazin’ Saddles Eurosport, Cyclist and Guardian journalist comments on his experience on the Hannibal Epic Adventure 2013.

“The Hannibal ride was the greatest thing I’ve done in my life - and certainly my biggest sporting achievement. Impeccably, energetically and passionately organised, it opened my eyes to so much and was a real test of character. Honestly, I cannot think of a better way to spend a month - what’s not to love about riding through unknown lands and over some of cycling’s most fabled climbs, fuelled by gastronomic delights and historical intrigue, with an ever-changing and varied bunch of wonderful people? I just wish I could do it all over again.”

The Hannibal Expedition was first ridden by Ride and Seek’s Sam Wood for the BBC documentary ‘On Hannibal’s Trail’ currently showing on National Geographic and Viasat worldwide.

BBC’

s On Hannibal’s Trail Trailer

Testimonials

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http://www.rideandseek.com/cyclists

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this modErn dAy ExPEdition tAkEs uP hAnnibAl’s trAil in bArCElonA And

Ends in romE.

The Hannibal Expedition passes through some of the most beautiful cycling areas in Europe - Catalonia, Languedoc, Provence, Piedmont, Tuscany and Umbria among others. It takes us over the Pyrenees, Alps and Apennines. We will ride where Hannibal marched, cross mountain chains and rivers he traversed, visit sites where he encountered Gallic tribes and his eternal enemy Rome. Choose any of the 4 stages or take on the Epic!

Stage 1 - The Road less Travelled

> The road less travelled in Northern Spain & Southern France. History through the ages – Hannibal, Roman aqueducts, Cathar castles & medieval villages.

8 days / 7 nights 635km / 397miles$2295 Euros

Stage 2 - Across the Alps

> Across the Alps and into Italy on the trail of Hannibal & his 37 elephants. Classic climbs – Col Agnel, Col d’Izoard, Alpe d’Huez, Col du Galibier & Mont Ventoux.


*for an explanation of the espressos please see grading in the Essentials section.

Stage 3 - The Italian’s Italy

> Italy’s gastronomic heartlands, Hanniballic battle sites and the challenge of crossing the Appenines to finish the stage off.

8 days / 7 nights 610km / 381miles $2295 Euros

Stage 4 - Classic Italy

> Taste, explore and discover the very best that Italy has to offer. Renaissance Italy, battle sites and classic heritage on Hannibal’s road to Rome.


The Epic! - Barcelona to Rome

> The best of Europe and one of the world’s most inspiring journeys!

29 days / 28 nights 2440km / 1525miles $8395 Euros

mAkE history with history

Wha

t is a

Ride and Seek tour all about?

Want t

o kn

ow

this years dates? Click here

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Montseny NP

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hAnnibAl bArCA is onE oF thE grEAtEst militAry CommAndErs oF All timE.

As a leader of the ancient superpower, Carthage, he waged a lifelong war against the Romans and nearly destroyed them. And yet, today we know very little about Hannibal or his people: the Carthaginians. What we do remember is one of his amazing feats fighting the Romans on their own turf. Hannibal led an army that included nearly forty elephants, over the frozen mountain tops of the Alps and into Italy.

That achievement, leading the largest land animal over one of the biggest mountain chains, was just part of an incredible journey that took Hannibal and his force of sixty thousand men from southern Spain, through France, into Italy via the Alps and finally, over the sea and back to the now Tunisian city of Carthage. For Hannibal Barca this was a very personal conflict – a family affair. As a boy he’d sworn to his father Hamilcar that he would fight Rome to the death and his top generals were his two brothers, Hasdrubal and Mago. Their struggle was the main event during the biggest and bloodiest conflict of ancient times, the century long Punic Wars (264-146 BC). With Hannibal as commander, it really looked as if Carthage was going to win. European civilisation came so close to being something very different – Rome-free, and yet Rome totally dominates our imagination when we think about the ancient world. When Hannibal lived, things were very different.

hAnnibAlliC history

hAnnibAl lEd An Army

thAt inCludEd nEArly

Forty ElEPhAnts, oVEr

thE FrozEn mountAin

toPs oF thE AlPs And

into itAly.

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wE FoCus on uniquE mEmorAblE

ProPErtiEs - itAliAn CAstlEs,

bEnEdiCtinE monEstAriEs And

historiC trEAsurEs.

We have carefully selected the places where we stay based on their ‘personality’ and the hospitality of our hosts. Be it Parador’s in Spain, Manoir’s in France or Agriturismi in Italy, we seek to connect you with the places we travel in, through the accommodations we choose.

bEdtimE ( a selection )

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Chateau de Mazan – In the heart of Provence near the base of Mont Ventoux. This fantastic chateau was previously the home of the Marquis de Sade.

Husa Sant Bernat – Immersed in the heart of the Montseny National Park the Hannibal Expedition sets off from this stunning setting.

Agriturismo Sant’Anna in Camprena - Situated close to Pienza in the Val d’Orcia. A former Olivetan Benedictine monastery from the 15th century, and the set for the movie ‘The English Patient’.

Villa Sparina – One of Piedmont’s best hotels and the producer of the renowned Gavi di Gavi wine.

Antico Borgo di Tabiano – 11th century castle in the hills of Emilia Romagna built on the ruins of a Roman settlement.

wE ChoosE our rEstAurAnts

bECAusE thEy ArE ExCEPtionAl

And uniquE. whEthEr thEy

ArE hAutE CuisinE, A mEAl

At A loCAl FArm, FinE itAliAn

4 CoursE dining or loCAl

boAr stEw, EVEry mEAl is

guArAntEEd to bE mEmorAblE.

dinnEr timE ( a selection )

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We pride ourselves on providing the best picnics. These are always in spectacular spots, be it the top of Col Agnel between France and Italy or the quiet hills of Languedoc overlooking a unknown Roman aqueduct. The produce will always be local, fresh and exceptional.

In Can Bassa, Madremanya we delve into authentic Catalan cuisine - gazpacho soup Salmorejo; meatball and squid stew as we dine alfresco in the barrel vaults of our country estate.

In Olargues we enjoy an exceptional ‘haute cuisine’ experience. Travellers come from far and wide to dine at this wonderful restaurant which overlooks an 11th century medieval Devil’s bridge.

In Sommieres we are joined by Katrina Botti, sommelier and consultant to many of the local vineyards. She takes us through the local drops before we enjoy a high class meal at the Pont Romain, on of the best restaurants in the Languedoc region.

In Cavazzone we stay at a Balsamic Vinegar producing Agriturismo. From Roast Pork to Souffle, every course of our dinner is based on Balsamic vinegar and you will be amazed how well it goes with everything!

wE undErstAnd thE imPortAnCE oF A good bikE bEnEAth you

We offer a full range of top of the line Specialized carbon, the comfort of the best of Lynskey titanium or even a flat bar or fold up - the choice is yours. Or, if you ‘d prefer, you are always welcome to bring your own.

We ensure that our bikes are fit for purpose. We have female specific geometry in the Specialized Ruby Elite and we have the option of triple chainsets for those long days in the hills.

These bikes are a small selection of our range. For details on the Specialized Sirrus flat bar and fold ups please get in touch. We also offer the opportunity to buy a full range of Lynskey bikes. So if you fancy riding and then taking home the best in titanium, we can help you out.

ridE timE

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Lynskey Viale

Frame Type: TitaniumFork: CarbonWheel Size: 700cGroupset: Full Shimano 105Chainrings: Triple 50-42-30Cassette: 11-28TWheelset: Mavic AksiumApprox. Weight: 8.5 kg

Specialized Roubaix / Ruby Elite Comp

Frame Type: CarbonFork: CarbonGroupset: Full Shimano UltegraChainrings: Triple - 52 x 39 x 30Cassette: 11-28TWheelset: Fulcrum Racing 6Approx. Weight: 8.2 kg

Specialized Roubaix Expert Di2 DISC Ultegra

Frame Type: Fact 10r CarbonFork: Fact 10r CarbonGroupset: Ultegra di2 11 SpeedChainrings: Compact 50 x 34Cassette: 11-32TWheelset: Dt Swiss Axis 4.0 DiscApprox. Weight: 7.2 kg

Guides Dylan, Steve and Sam riding their Lynskey Helixes

Hannibal Stage 1

The Road less Travelled

stAgE 1 oF our hAnnibAl

ExPEdition bEgins in

bArCElonA And ConCludEs

in sommiErEs.

The meeting point for our Hannibal Expedition is in the stunning city of Barcelona. However, rather than cycle out of Barcelona among the heavy city traffic we shuttle you to Montseny National Park just to the north to start our tour. From there we cycle up through Catalunya and over the Pyrenees mountain range. We then continue through the beautiful French countryside of the Languedoc-Roussillon to the heart of it’s wine region at Sommieres.

After the first day when we will find our legs and test our bikes in the hills around the Montseny National Park we will average around 95km (59 miles) per day. The crossing of the Pyrenees is obviously a tough undertaking but our route doesn’t take in the highest peaks. We think Stage 1 serves as a great introduction to the tour.

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oVErViEw

CAtAlunyA is rEnownEd

For its AmAzing CyClng

And is homE to thE

highEst numbEr oF uCi

rEgistErEd CyClists in

thE world.

Montseny NP

"ARCELONA

Empúries

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Duilhac Peyrepertuse sous P

Carcassonne

Olargues

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stAgE 1 - the road less travelled

rEgions: #ATALUNYA�AND�,ANGUEDOC

lEngth: 8 days / 7 nights

distAnCE: 663 km (414 miles)

our routE

dAy 1 wArm uP ridE in thE hills oF montsEny nAtionAl PArk

25km (15 miles)

We meet in Barcelona and rather than ride out of one of the busiest cities in Europe we shuttle everyone to our hotel in the stunning Montseny National Park for lunch. Our Hotel Sant Bernat is a converted monastery high in the hills. Here we will test our bikes and warm up our legs for the expedition ahead.

dAy 2 sAnt bErnAt to mAdrEmAnyA

115km (72 miles)

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dAy by dAy

ExPEdition notEs: Barcelona – Spain’s favourite city. Few visitors would know that according to legend, the name Barcelona comes from Hannibal’s family: the Barca’s. Hamilcar, Hannibal’s father is thought to have founded the settlement. Barca in Hannibal’s language, Punic, means lightning which is a great omen for our upcoming ride!

ExPEdition notEs: Historically Empuries (Greek) or Ampurias (Roman) is important because it was a major Greek colony when Hannibal passed in 218 BC. Some scholars say he visited here and restocked but archaeology points to the opposite – the walls were reinforced during this period - a true sign of fear as Hannibal’s 100,000 men marched towards them. Luckily for them Hannibal had a much bigger target in mind.

The tour’s first full day is a great start to the Hannibal Expedition. We ride from mountains towards the coast via some of the best cycle touring country in Catalunya. Starting the day 1100m above sea level we cruise 60km through beautiful hills virtually all downhill to Girona. We finish the day with a climb up to Angels lookout with views of the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees before heading down to Madremanya.

Daily Map Sheet elevation profile extra

loop

cue

s

Click below for the details of this day. This sheet is what we hand out in the morning when we talk through the day and load the route into our Garmins.

dAy 3 mAdrEmAnyA to CErEt

102km (63 Miles)

The Expedition will feel very real today as we leave Madremanya and head for the Mediterranean. After a coffee and a wander around the beautiful ruins of Empuries we head up towards the imposing Pyrenees mountains. Whilst we don’t by any means take these mountains on at their highest point we do still experience some great climbing as we leave Spain and head into France. Our destination is the quaint town of Ceret which has a proud artistic heritage with Picasso, among others, having once called it home.

dAy by dAy ( continued )

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ExPEdition notEs: No one is sure where Hannibal crossed this mountain chain. Most feel it was either via the coast or slightly inland. We know it was uneventful and it is even possible he split his army up as it was so large to make the best use of resources so he could have travelled over a few of the passes in this area.

ExPEdition notEs: When Hannibal crossed the Pyrenees he was greeted by Gallic tribes eager to test his mettle. Hannibal convinced the tribes to let him pass and his tactic was to stay away from the coast to ensure the Romans didn’t hear of his coming so he could maintain the element of surprise. We are heading into the hills of Languedoc and classic wine country.

dAy 4 CErEt to duillAC sous PEyrEPErtusE

90km (56 miles)

We awake to a French breakfast and beautiful rolling hills as we continue north staying away from the busy coast. Our first full day in France takes us deep into the beguiling region of the Languedoc as we truly find the road less travelled. With medieval hilltop villages, rolling vines and the immense splendour of the Cevennes this region is a cyclist’s delight. It was also an area in which the Cathar religion took root in the 12th century and where a number of their fortresses survive to this day. Indeed, our hotel for the night is situated directly below the striking Peyrepertuse castle, a Cathar fortress built on an imposing 1000m defensive crag.

dAy 5 duillAC sous PEyrEPErtusE to

CArCAssonnE

95km (59 miles)

We continue to explore the beautiful region of Languedoc as we head towards the fairytale city of Carcassonne. For most of the day we are still in the foothills of the Pyrenees so the ride has a fair few undulations but as is the case with most of the riding in this region we pretty much have roads to ourselves. Our hotel is situated in the fortified Cite de Carcassonne which was granted UNESCO status in 1997 and acts as a beacon as we descend into the Aude lowlands.

ExPEdition notEs: Hannibal would have kept inland in his desire to keep the news of his rapidly marching army descending on Italy a secret. In Hannibal’s day there were few ‘large’ towns – most places he would have passed would have been Gallic villages, most of whom would never have heard of Hannibal or Rome.

dAy 6 CArCAssonnE to olArguEs

102km (63 miles)

We meander our way out of Carcassonne and for the first 20km we spin our way across the flatlands to the north of the city before heading up in to the rugged hills of the Parc Naturel du Haut Languedoc – the high Languedoc. Once again we find ourselves on awesome cycling roads which are inexplicably free of tourists. The last part of the day takes us on the impressive Voie Verte which is a converted railway track that takes us to our picturesque destination in Olargues – voted one of France’s most beautiful villages and site of the historic Devils Bridge.


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Carcassonne

dAy 7 olArguEs to sommiErEs

134km (83 miles)

This is the longest and final riding day of the Stage 1 as we leave Herault and enter into Languedoc’s most eastern department Gard. With fewer undulations though, we feel that the day should be no harder than those that have come before. We pass by the incredible Clamouse cave on the way and take in the Gorges d’Herault and the majestic Pic Loup cliffs. Our destination is the quaint town of Sommieres which has a rich Roman history and an impressive medieval centre.

ExPEdition notEs: Hannibal was relatively unmolested at this stage in his march. He was continually on guard, but the Gallic tribes were so in awe of his huge army that they never attacked. However it would not be long before the tempatation would grow too much and they would try their luck against Hannibal’s mobile army..

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dAy 8 sommiErEs rEst dAy

On our final day we take a leisurely breakfast together before our shuttle transfers those finishing here to the train station. If you are riding on with us there are optional riding loops to the local vineyards on this day off or just enjoy the town and a well earned rest before the Alps of stage 2 ahead.

lAnguEdoC CuisinE rEliEs

hEAVily on loCAl ProduCE:

oliVE oil, tomAto sAuCEs

& hErbs From thE wild

gArriguE lAndsCAPEs oF

thE rEgion suCh As thymE,

rosEmAry And sorrEl.

Food

We take in three different regions as we travel from Barcelona in Spain to the Papal city of Avignon in France. Barcelona is the capital city of the fiercely independent state of Catalunya that has become increasingly associated with fine gastronomy in recent years. The world famous El Bulli restaurant (chef Ferran Adrià ), rated by the Michelin guide as the world’s best a record 5 times, bears testament to this.

The next region we pass through is the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France. A strong Spanish influence can be found in this region and you will see a lighter style of eating (less creamy rich sauces) than in the north of France. Languedoc cuisine relies heavily on local produce: olive oil, tomato sauces and herbs from the wild garrigue landscapes of the region such as thyme, rosemary and sorrel. Locals take eating seriously with meals often taking hours and including several courses.

Food & winE

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winE

The region of Catalonia, where we start our tour, is home to an array of fabulous wines. As the first region in Spain to use stainless steel tanks in the fermentation process it has long been at the forefront of country’s quality wine production. Renowned wines areas such as Priorat and Penedes – which is the heartland of Cava production - bear testament to this quality.

Heading over the Pyrenees we enter the Languedoc region of France which is considered to be one of the most interesting emerging quality wine regions. Once derided as a mass producer of cheap plonk it has in recent years established itself as a pioneer in terms of the quality of wines it produces. This pioneering spirit is quite apt given that it was in this region that the Romans planted the first vines in France.

Food & winE ( continued )

this PionEEring sPirit is

quitE APt giVEn thAt it

wAs in this rEgion thAt

thE romAns PlAntEd thE

First VinEs in FrAnCE.

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According to the ancient sources, crossing the Pyrenees wasn’t difficult for Hannibal thanks to good passes near the coast that avoid the peaks, but it was a critical psychological point in his journey to Italy. Thousands of Spanish mercenaries abandoned his army here and rather than risk mutiny from other unhappy troops, Hannibal wisely dismissed thousands of others.

Hannibal knew that his arrival in what is now modern day France would alarm many Gauls - and they gathered to resist him near present day Perpignan. The Carthaginian requested a friendly meeting and lavished so many gifts on the Gallic leaders that they let him pass by unmolested. That’s according to Livy and Polybius. According to other scholars, this meeting coincided with the arrival of a delegation of Roman politicians. The tribal assembly that gathered to hear the Roman ambassadors was reportedly hosted by Hannibal himself! The Gauls were so unimpressed by Roman requests that they resist the Carthaginians – in fact they burst out laughing! Instead the Gauls were won over by Hannibal because he offered to allow the wives of the Gallic soldiers the position of judge for any complaints which were made against the Carthaginian solders.

Hannibal is best known for crossing Europe’s biggest mountain chain, the Alps, into Italy with about fifty thousand men and forty elephants. More than two thousand years later we still don’t know which path he took and this mystery continues to puzzle scholars and

hAnnibAl history

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thousAnds oF

sPAnish mErCEnAriEs

AbAndonEd his Army

hErE And rAthEr thAn

risk mutiny From

othEr unhAPPy trooPs,

hAnnibAl wisEly

dismissEd thousAnds

Hannibal - Stage 2

Across the Alps

stAgE 2 oF our journEy

in thE FootstEPs oF

hAnnibAl tAkEs us on

PErhAPs thE most iConiC

lEg oF his journEy –

ACross thE AlPs.

We won’t have 39 war elephants to provide us support but we will have our support vehicles to lend us a hand if you need it. Highlights of this journey include:

Crossing the Rhone into Provence. Riding the fantastic Gorges de la Nesque. The chance to climb Mont Ventoux, Alpe d’Huez, Col Agnel, Col du Galibier and/or Col d’Izoard – classic climbs of the Tour de France ridden by Tour winners such as Miguel Indurain and Cadel Evans, skirted by legends such as Hannibal!

Classic Alpine pass riding – following Hannibal’s most likely route will not take us in a straight line but it will take us through some of the most spectacular areas of the French Alps.

A chance to follow Hannibal’s most likely route – one of the most debated parts of Hannibal’s journey is where he crossed the Alps – Italy is the destination!

Piedmont - arguably the Italy’s finest region for cycling and gastronomy.

After the first day when we have a warm up ride around Sommieres we will average 95km a day. Stage 2 is the most difficult of the Hannibal Expedition. It does average slightly less kilometres a day than Stage 3 but involves tougher climbing. Not all of these climbs are on Hannibal’s trail but since we go past Mont Ventoux and Alpe D’Huez you’ll have the opportunity to climb them if wish.

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oVErViEw

"ARCELONA

3OMMIÒRES

AAvignonnAA

La Motte Chalana çon

Mens

Bourg D'OisansanBourg D

ArvieuxArvieux


our routE

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stAgE 2 - Across the Alps

rEgions: Provence and Piedmont



dAy 1 wArm uP ridE Around sommiErEs

20km (12.5 miles)

We meet in Sommieres, a beautiful town in the heart of the Languedoc wine region. If you need advice on a hotel to stay in prior please get in touch as we have a few we recommend and we will be at one of those with the stage 1 cyclists.

Our warm up ride is a gentle loop around the local vineyards. Be sure to take note of the local wineries as a Sommelier is joining us on this our first night of Stage 2 for wine tasting!

dAy 2 sommiErEs to mAzAn

124km (77 miles)

The first day of stage 2 takes us across the Rhone river and into a new region – Provence. On the way we visit the Pont du Gard which bears testament to the engineering genius of the Romans and provides an emotive backdrop for our picnic lunch today. We then cycle through vineyards and the Mediterranean landscape known as garrigue as we skirt Avignon. This UNESCO listed city was home to the Popes from 1309 -1429 during the Catholic schism and we highly recomend a visit if you are joining us for Stage 2.

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dAy by dAy

ExPEdition notEs: Hannibal wanted to meet the Romans on their own turf so he headed north at this stage following the Rhone looking for the best place to turn west into the Alps. Stage 2 follows this quest to cross the mountain chain and invade Italy.

ExPEdition notEs: For Hannibal crossing the Rhone was a huge obstacle and a Gallic army waited on the banks opposite. He outfoxed them and sent them scurrying. However a Roman army was not far away having landed at Marseille on their way to Spain to deal with Hannibal. There was brief skirmish between the cavalry of each army. Hannibal had to make a decision. Stand and fight or advance over the Alps and into Italy to fight Rome on her own soil.

dAy 4 mottE-ChAlAnCon to mEns

93km (58 Miles)

Riding north up through the foothills of the Alps we ride through the Glandage and Gorges des Gats, a site where Hannibal was possibly ambushed. The mountains loom all around us as we aim for Mens, a tiny French town nestled in a valley between the Vercors and Ecrins National Parks. The cycling today is spectacular with picture postcard Alpine scenery and a nice balance of climbing and descending.

ExPEdition notEs: No one is sure where Hannibal crossed the Alps. However, many believe he was ambushed at the Gorge du Gats. We will cycle through this area which has looming cliffs and certainly looks the perfect site for an ambush. Hannibal defeated the Gauls here, taking the camps in the night but his losses were heavy and he was only just starting the epic Alpine traverse.

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dAy 3 mAzAn to mottE-ChAlAnCon

118km (73 miles)

Today’s riding is spectacular. We meander our way up the Gorges de la Nesque, one of the best cycling roads in France. In the afternoon we head north towards the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence leaving the crowds behind as we head into the foothills of the Alps. The day is special and a beautiful introduction to riding in Provence and the Alps region.

ExPEdition notEs: Having just crossed the Rhone and encountered Rome for the first time Hannibal made the decision to move towards Italy as fast as possible to fight Rome on their own turf. He headed north along the Rhone looking for a passage east through the Alps. It is highly likely he passed through the Avignon area.

We skirt by Vaison La Romaine, a town full of history. For Hannibal it was possibly the site where he settled a dispute between two Gallic brothers. He sided with the older brother Brancus who gave him supplies for the long trek ahead over the Alps.

dAy 5 mEns to bourg d’oisAns

60km + 30km optional climb (37 miles + 19 miles optional climb)

Today’s ride is on beautiful quiet Alpine roads – it is great riding. We are heading to Bourg d’Oisans which provides a gateway into the heart of the French Alps, and sits at the base of Alpe d’Huez. The regular ride is a relatively short one and provides a degree of respite for those wishing to preserve energy for the climbing ahead. For those who laugh in the face of relaxation though the 21 switchbacks of the iconic Alpe d’Huez climb await in the afternoon.

ExPEdition notEs: Hannibal was now being trailed and watched by Gallic tribes eager to pick off stragglers and steal anything from the vast but cumbersome army. However the tribes would only attack where there were no Elephants – they had never seen such beasts and were understandably petrified of them!

dAy 6 bourg d’oisAns to lE ChAlP

100km (62 miles)

A serious climbing day as we head into the heart of the Alps with Col du Galibier as a mid-morning optional loop for the adventurous. After climbing up into the Haute Alpes Isere we then descend for 30km into the pleasant town of Briancon for lunch. After lunch we take on Col d’Izoard, a Tour de France regular and a beautiful climb. We descend to the quiet village Le Chalp, surrounded by 3000 metre peaks, where our Alpine lodge awaits.

ExPEdition notEs: Hannibal would have been starting to worry by now – the trip over the Alps took him 16 days, he lost thousands of men to the enemy, desertion, starvation and the cold. These men were from southern Spain and north Africa – they had never seen mountains like these before.

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27


dAy 7 lE ChAlP to to CostigliolE sAluzzo

91km (56 miles)

We head south towards Col Agnel – it is a long gradual climb but the descent is worth every minute of pain. This is probably the longest descent in Europe! It is again beautiful mountain scenery –quiet villages, beautiful autumnal trees changing colour, and of course the peaks which surround us. We get to Italy at 2600 metres and descend for 50 km to our castle hotel in Costigliole Saluzzo. We are in Italy and will enjoy our pasta tonight!

ExPEdition notEs: The question of where Hannibal crossed the Alps has been debated for centuries, even Napoleon put a vote in for Col Cenis (to the north of our route). Col Agnel is a favourite and even has a plaque claiming it is the route of Hannibal. Whilst we may never definitively know which route he took Col Agnel is certainly one of the most spectacular.

dAy 8 CostigliolE sAluzzo rEst dAy

On the final day of Stage 2 we take a leisurely breakfast together before departure. If you are riding on with us you are welcome to ride one of our loops around the area. There are serious ramps for those in need of more climbing!

Click below for the details of this day. This sheet is what we hand out in the morning when we talk through the day and load the route


loop

cue

s

blEssEd with An AbundAnCE

oF nAturAl ingrEdiEnts

thAt Flourish in thE rEgion,

ProVEnCE is unsurPAssEd

For thE FrEshnEss oF its

ProduCE And VAriEty oF its

dishEs.

Food

Provence has a wealth of seafood based dishes and local specialties. Olives are grown in the area and some high quality olive oil is produced in this region. With a strong Italian and Spanish influence the cuisine of Provence has a distinctive flair that sets it apart from more classic French fare. Blessed with an abundance of natural ingredients that flourish in the region, Provence is unsurpassed for the freshness of its produce and variety of its dishes.

We continue our journey north as we head up towards the Alps in the north of the region – Alpes de Haute Provence. This sprawling area is crossed by the River Durance which is a fruit growing region, however, the cuisine in general is far more filling and heavy which will give you more fuel for the climbing ahead. Based on butter rather than olive oil it is characterized by wild herbs, spelt and goat produce. Perhaps the best known product of the area though is the lamb from Sisteron which features in many local recipes.

After climbing the Alps we descend into Italy and some great new culinary experiences. We enter Italy through the Piedmont region to discover the home of the “Slow Food” movement, the Old World’s answer to the fast food revolution.

Food & winE

28

winE

Provence, one of France’s serious fine wine regions, on a par with Bordeaux and Burgundy. The area has been known for fine wines since ancient times; indeed Caesar was noted to have warmed to the wines as much as the weather of Provence. In contrast to the cultured power of Bordeaux and the elegance of Burgundy, Provencal red wines are earthier with an almost rustic flavour. In this respect they are really interesting since quality commercial wine making is balanced by a real sense of identity.

Heading north from Avignon we continue our appreciation of the wines of Provence. We visit the village of Chateauneuf-du-Pape that lends its name to one of France’s most esteemed wines. With 13 grape varieties permitted in the blend – of which Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Mourvedre usually dominate – it is tough to generalise about their style but we will have a wine tasting that will help you to identify your own personal favourites. Passing by, or for some us over, Mont Ventoux we will also sample some of the fine wines from the Cote de Ventoux appellation.

The Alps are for obvious reasons not renowned for their wines but we promise that the effort involved in getting over them will be worth it. We enter the region of Piedmont in Italy which is one of country’s premier wine producing regions.


indEEd CAEsAr wAs

notEd to hAVE wArmEd

to thE winEs As muCh

As thE wEAthEr oF

ProVEnCE.

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Where exactly Hannibal crossed the Rhone river isn’t known, but Polybius says it was four days march north of the mouth of the river. What we do know with more certainty is that his crossing was opposed by the Volcae – an aggressive local Gallic tribe. Hannibal’s strategy was to send his nephew Hanno with a detachment of troops north to surprise the Volcae.

When Hannibal landed on the opposite bank, Hanno sprung his ambush. The Volcae’s raucous howling turned to panic as they were caught in a classic pincer movement. Hannibal then had to get the rest of his army across including his Elephants. Polybius says that Hannibal built rafts, covered them with soil and urged a female elephant onto these floating islands and the rest of the herd followed. However, once the rafts were detached from the bank, the elephants panicked and were forced to make their own way across to the other side – Polybius believes the elephants walked across the bottom of the river using their trunks as snorkels!

history

liVy, our othEr mAin AnCiEnt

sourCE, writEs thAt thE

ElEPhAnts swAm From thE

bEginning Following thE lEAd

mAlE, who wAs driVEn into A

rAgE by his driVEr. this brAVE

mAn thEn jumPEd into thE riVEr

himsElF, with thE ElEPhAnt hErd

Following thE lEAd mAlE who, in

turn, wAs intEnt on CAtChing thE

driVEr – who would hAVE swum

dEsPErAtEly FAst to thE othEr

sidE!

30

hAnnibAl is bEst

known For Crossing

EuroPE’s biggEst

mountAin ChAin,

thE AlPs, into itAly

with About FiFty

thousAnd mEn And

Forty ElEPhAnts

Hannibal is best known for crossing Europe’s biggest mountain chain, the Alps, into Italy with about fifty thousand men and forty elephants. More than two thousand years later we still don’t know which path he took and this mystery continues to puzzle scholars and amateur adventurers. History’s heavyweights like Julius Caesar and Napoleon Bonaparte had opinions on Hannibal’s route and over the years more than half a dozen possible mountain crossings, or Cols, have been proposed.

There are no archaeological remains of the crossing so our guides for our test are literary: Polybius and Livy. Hannibal scholars have come up with these criteria lifted directly out of the descriptions of Hannibal’s crossing in Polybius and Livy - see overleaf.

history ( continued )

31

Hannibal crossing the Alps 218 BC

CritEriA

CritEriA For whErE hAnnibAl PAssEd through thE AlPs

A big bare or white rock where Hannibal sought refuge with part of his army when he was ambushed by hill tribes

A site suitable for an army to camp, on or near the summit

A spectacular view of Italy from the summit

A descent that is steeper than the ascent

At a high enough altitude to be cover snow and ice on it all year round

Evidence of a landslide on the descent and burnt rocks where Hannibal forced his way through using fire and vinegar to crack open the rocks blocking his path

Pasture on the Italian side after the steep descent


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Memorial to the battle of Trebbia 218BC- one of Hannibal’s elephants with ‘Indian’ driver

Hannibal - Stage 3

The Italian’s Italy

oVErViEw

stAgE 3 tAkEs us on ACross thE sPinE oF itAly - thE

APEnninEs. A lAndsCAPE oF VinEs, CAstlEs, AgriCulturE

And bEAutiFul hill towns.

Starting in Piedmont, the area known as the Italian’s Italy, we traverse the spectacular Oltrepo Pavese and head into Emila Romagna where our route over the Apennines awaits us. A number of Italy’s culinary jewels - Reggio Emilia, Modena, Parma and Piacenza - are found in this region so gastronomic delights abound.

The Apennines may not be the Pyrenees’ or Alps but they are a challenge none the less with regular climbs and steep ascents which the Giro has become famed for.

We ride past the Scipione family estates and to the bloody battle site of Trebbia and stay in a castle on its banks. The area is full of history with fortifications on many of the hills we climb.

After a warm up ride around the hills of Piedmont we average just over 100km a day on our ride to Rome. Stage 3 takes in the Italian’s Italy - Piedmont and Emilia Romagna, both famed for food, wine and fantastic cycling.

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Alba Gavi Cavazzone


2OMA

PôPP

Tibrii err

LakekkTrTT

Trebbiarebb

Tabiano

our routE

35

stAgE 3 - the italian’s italy

rEgions: Piedmont and Emilia romagna



dAy 1 CostigliolE sAluzzo wArm uP

20km (13 miles)

Our warm up loop for riders joing us on Stage 3 takes us back towards the Alps, but this time only for a viewing as our final destination lies far to the south from here. After preparing ourselves for the riding ahead we join the ongoing group for an Italian feast in the Red Castle of Costigliole Saluzzo!

36

dAy by dAy

dAy 2 CostigliolE sAluzzo to AlbA

89km (56 miles)

Our ride today takes us into the heart of the Piedmont region along some of the most stunning ridge lines a cyclist can find. We head into the region of Monferrato and cross the Tannaro river on our way to the famed Langhe hills. Considered the spiritual home of the nebbiolo grape this area is home to a number of Italy’s most esteemed wines including the ‘King of wines’ – Barolo – and the renowned Barbaresco. Our destination is the beautiful town of Alba which is famed both for its truffle fair and the heady scent of nutella that permeates the air.

ExPEdition notEs: Hannibal’s troops entered Italy into the famed Po valley. Hannibal had given them a rousing speech in the Alps as they looked down on the fertile region. They now took stock and attempted to gather themselves for the coming war. He had lost over 10,000 men crossing the Alps. In October 218BC with 38,000 soldiers and 8,000 cavalry he began the war with Rome on their soil.

dAy 3 AlbA to gAVi

107kms (67 miles)

Leaving Alba we once more enjoy the stunning ridge lines afforded by the Langhe hills as we head back into the Monferrato on our way to the attractive Roman spa town of Acqui Terme. From there we cross the Bormida River as we meander our way towards our final destination near the town of Gavi. In doing so we follow in the tracks of some of the greats of Italian cycling who hail from this part of the world including the ‘campionissimo’ Fausto Coppi. For those wishing to do a few extra miles at the end of the day there is an option to visit Libarna, site of an impressive Roman amphitheatre on the Via Postumia. On arrival at this great hotel you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy one of the regions finest white wines – Gavi di Gavi – whilst overlooking the vines from which they were produced.

dAy 4 gAVi to trEbbiA

86km (53 miles)

We leave Piedmont today as we head up into the hills of an area known as the Oltrepo Pavese. This name refers to its geographic position to the south of the mighty Po River and in the proximity of the university city of Pavia. Today’s ride takes us away from the manicured vineyards of the Langhe and into a far more rustic and rugged area of Italy. Untouched by tourism we get away from the traffic as we roll our way through southern Lombardy and into Emilia Romagna. For the next 3 days we will traverse the northern edge of the Apennines. The riding is fantastic, remote and beautiful.

37

dAy by dAy( continued )

ExPEdition notEs: Not far north of here at the river Ticinus Hannibal’s cavalry skirmished with their Roman counterparts. The battle was fairly even before Scipio, consul of the Roman army was wounded. Hannibal chased the Roman army after this conflict across Piedmont to the Trebbia where our first days cycling will take us.

Heading towards the first major battle with the Romans at a river near Piacenza - the battle of Trebbia, Hannibal must have been questioning his chances. His men had hardly recovered from the alpine pass –his army was a third of the size of when it was at Barcelona and no local tribes had come over to his side as he hoped they would. He made some Gallic prisoners draw lots to fight to the death here. The winners of the draw lined up to fight – the winners would go free with horse, food and money, the losers would die and be forgotten. When the contests were done and the winners on their way he turned to his men and told them they faced the same contest –win and prosper or die and be forgotten.


38


ExPEdition notEs: Trebbia was to be Hannibal’s first great victory over Rome. Using psychological tactics and his armies strengths Hannibal defeated a numerically superior force. Hannibal goaded the Roman commander Sempronius into crossing a freezing river Trebbia. His men frozen to the core walked straight into a trap. Hannibal’s army slaughtered almost 32,000 Romans.

ExPEdition notEs: Unfortunately for Hannibal all but one of his elephants died soon after the battle of Trebbia from the intense cold. However the psychological blow to the Roman people losing on their own soil sent Rome and its people into a panic.

dAy 5 trEbbiA to tAbiAno

100km (60 Miles)

Early on we will pass a monument to the battle of Trebbia, Hannibal’s first big victory, as we cross the river of the same name. We then remain in the foothills of the Apennines in order to avoid the heavier traffic that lies just to the north. In doing we will explore a remote and beautiful part of Italy that few tourists ever see – the occasional steep ramp is part of the charm. We will pass the classic medieval town of Castell’Arquato and head past the Castello di Scipione, supposedly the site of the family home of the Roman Scipio , Hannibal’s great nemesis.

dAy 6 tAbiAno to CAVAzzonE

114km (71 Miles)

We continue in the Apennine foothills skirting east for much of the day as we head towards our chosen pass over this mountain chain that is more than deserving of our respect. Just to the north of our route are some of the great Italian culinary destinations such as Piacenza, Reggio Emilia, Parma and Modena so we promise the food will be a bit special this evening. Indeed, the Agriturismo where we stay tonight produce their own Balsamic vinegar which we’ll be able to sample over dinner.


loop

cue

s

dAy 7 CAVAzzonE to CAstElnuoVo

106km (66 miles)

Often referred to as the ‘spine of Italy’ the Apennines cover the length of peninsular Italy. Our ride today takes us over the Tuscan- Emilian section which marks the border between the two regions. Whilst perhaps lacking some of the iconic climbs to be found in the Alps and Pyrenees you would be unwise to underestimate the climbing ahead as we ascend up to the Passo delle Radici (1529m). That said the descent down into the Garfagnana valley towards Castelnuovo certainly makes it seem all worth it as we enter into a new region – La Bella Toscana.

ExPEdition notEs: After Hannibal’s victory at Trebbia the Cisalpine Gallic tribes (Gauls onthe Italian side of the Alps) started joining his cause. Hannibal headed south east feeding his army and growing stronger. Rome was gathering its strength too and it wouldn’t be long before they were back in the field.

dAy 8 CAstElnuoVo rEst dAy

Today is a rest day. Optional loops are available and riders can enjoy the local area as well as pool and sauna facilities at the hotel.

39


Food

Home of the Slow Food movement, the Old World’s response to the fast food revolution, it is hardly a surprise that Piedmont is one of the great gastronomic destinations. With a cuisine that truly reflects the seasons, Piedmont is arguably Italy’s most culinary progressive region. The symphony between its own tradition bound cooking and a burgeoning new wave gastronomic scene is something to behold.

From Piedmont and in to Emilia Romagna, this region truly is a gastronomic treasure trove with local delicacies including Parmigiano Reggiano -arguably the cheese of which Italians are most proud, Balsamic Vinegar and Prosciutto de Parma. We also get to sample some lesser known delicacies such as ‘gnocco fritto’ which are the perfect accompaniment to the ‘affettati’ (cold meats) for which the region is lauded. We’re convinced that the tortelli burro e salvia – butter and sage – are the best we’ve sampled in Italy too.

After crossing the Apennines we then drop into one of the lesser known areas of Tuscany – the Garfagnana. Known as the wilds of Tuscany this area was known in the past as the ‘land of outlaws and wolves’ which is reflected by some of the culinary highlights. The vast chestnut forests which provided the basis for this reputation are home to delicious porcini mushrooms, wild boar and obviously chestnuts themselves.

Food & winE

40

winE

Piedmont os one of Italy’s premier wine producing regions. Famed for its uncompromising reds the Piedmont region has a huge amount to offer the wine connoisseur. Home of the ‘King of wines’ – Barolo – and the highly lauded Barbaresco the region offers a whole range of exciting and individual wines. It is also home to some exceptional whites such as Gavi di Gavi of which our final hotel is a renowned producer.

From Piedmont we enter into the region of Emilia Romagna whose wines have strongly individual characteristics that make them northern Italy’s most eccentric. Lambrusco is probably the region’s most well-known wine abroad but it holds a reputation that does it little justice. Most Lambrusco that is exported is sweet and insipid and few foreigners will have tasted in its authentic dry form – we hope to change this.

Heading towards the Apennines we will sample some of the fun-loving white wines made from Malvasia, Trebbiano and Ortrugo grapes that are produced in its foothills and as well as zesty reds which are made from Barbera and Bonarda.


41

hAnnibAl history

A kEy PArt oF

thE CArthAginiAn

gEnErAl’s strAtEgy

wAs to win oVEr

thE CElts in

northErn itAly

42

history

Our path and Hannibal’s trail takes us just south of Placentia (modern day Piacenza). Hannibal camped here hoping for battle. The other Roman Consul (Consuls were always elected in pairs) Longus also arrived here with his army after an incredible forced march from Lilybauem in Sicily. It was December and bitterly cold and wet and Scipio’s army was mostly raw recruits. Scipio urged caution but Longus afraid he would miss out on glory when the new Consuls arrived to take over in the new year, was keen to engage.

This confidence was in spite of a defection of several thousand Rome’s Celtic allies to Hannibal. A key part of the Carthaginian general’s strategy was to win over the Celts in northern Italy who were considered important but not very reliable allies in his war against Rome. In fact, Hannibal, wary of assassination by these fickle friends, is thought to have worn wigs to avoid being recognised.

Hannibal - an expert in the psychology of war and aware of the impetuous nature of Longus - set his trap. He sent his youngest brother Mago with a hand picked force to hide in some reeds near a bank of the Trebbia.

The river is little more than a stream now, but the area is very atmospheric. A lovely green valley extends upriver - it so captivated Ernst Hemingway when he was here during World War II that the local sparkling water quotes him as describing it as ‘the most beautiful valley in the world.’

our hAnnibAl itinErAry is onE oF

our ExPEditions.

thEsE ArE grAnd multi rEgion

journEys with A ClEAr stArt

And Finish. thEy ArE by dEsign

AdVEnturous And ChAllEnging.

our ExPEditions ArE All bAsEd

uPon A historiCAl journEy

or trAil to giVE thEm AddEd

AtmosPhErE And PurPosE.

imAginE riding whErE nAPolEon,

CAEsAr or mArCo Polo trAVEllEd

bEForE you or in this CAsE whErE

hAnnibAl mAdE his EPiC mArCh on

romE in 219 bC.

wE EndEAVour to CrEAtE bikE tour itinErAriEs thAt go bEyond thE norm

Overview of Stage 1

We start the expedition in the stunning city of Barcelona from where we cycle up through Cataluña and over the Pyrenees mountain range. We then cycle through the beautiful French countryside of the Languedoc-Roussillon before crossing the Rhone into Provence and completing the first stage in the Papal city of Avignon.

After the first day when we will find our legs and test our bikes in the hills around Sant Hilari Sacalm we will average around 80kms (50 miles) per day. Being part of an expedition Stage 1 is challenging but it is the easiest of the Hannibal Stages. Besides the crossing of the Pyrennes which are obviously a large obstacle this is a relatively level cycle.

oVErViEw oF stAgE 1

2

hAnnibAl, wAry

oF AssAsinAtion

by thEsE FiCklE

FriEnds, is thought

to hAVE worn wigs

to AVoid bEing

rECognisEd.


43

In a move that would start the battle, Hannibal sent his Numidian cavalry to harrass the Roman camp at first light and lure them out. Longus eagerly complied and sent his men across the swollen and freezing river towards the Carthaginian army. The Romans were now cold, wet and hungry (they hadn’t had breakfast) and for these reasons were perhaps beaten before they had even started fighting. They were so cold in fact, that they had trouble drawing their weapons when they reached the other side of the river after wading through its freezing rapids.

Waiting for the Romans on the other bank the Carthaginians were fresh, had breakfasted and had kept warm around their campfires. They had the better of the early engagement then Mago sprung from his hiding spot - “a manouevre which threw the whole Roman army into confusion and dismay” (Polyibus III.74) and all was lost for the Romans.

Some Romans managed to reach the safety of Placentia as rain possibly covered their retreat. Carthaginian losses during the actual battle were minimal but the cold extracted a high price. All but one of Hannibal’s elephants died in the bitter weather that day and Polybius reports (Polyibus III.74) that many men and horses also froze to death.

Longus tried to conceal the loss by claiming a storm had prevented his victory but the Senate and people of Rome soon learned the truth. The city went into a panic but the Senate managed to restore order and quickly went to work sending legions to places of strategic importance, enrolling citizens in the army and mobilising allies.

Hannibal - Stage 4

Classic Italy

oVErViEw

stAgE 4 oF thE hAnnibAliC odyssEy tAkEs us From

tusCAny to romE through ClAssiC itAly:

Meandering through Renaissance Italy on the road less travelled through beautiful scenery and hill towns is cycling at its best. Rolling Tuscan hills covered in sunflowers, Umbrian medieval towns and olive groves and Lazio which provides us with our final Italian canvas, the prominence of Roman heritage increasing as we make our way towards Rome.

Stage 4 is filled with Hanniballic History. At Trasimene where Hannibal destroyed a Roman army forcing them into the lake and and cycle in the footsteps of Hannibal’s army through what were once the Arno Swamps and to the gates of Rome!

After a warm up ride on the closing slopes of the Apennines we average just over 100km a day on our ride to Rome. Stage 3 takes in the truely classic Italy - Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio - undoubtedly some of the most beautiful cycling in the world.

45


San Gimignano

Sant'Anna

di CaprenaPerugiaP

2OMA

PôPP

Tibrii err

LakekkTrTT

Pisa

our routE

46

stAgE 4 - Classic italy

2%')/.3��4USCANY��5MBRIA�AND�,AZIO



dAy 1 CAstElnuoVo gArFAgnAnA wArm uP

20km (13 miles)

Our warm up ride is a loop in the Garfagnana valley. This part of Tuscany is much more rugged than its southernly neighbours and has a unique charm. We prepare for the riding to come then join our fellow riders for a dinner at the local and renowned Trattoria which serves typical Garfagnana cuisine.

dAy 2 CAstElnuoVo gArFAgnAnA to PisA

88km (55 miles)

Our first of 3 days in Tuscany sees us exit the remote Garfagnana valley towards Pisa. Just south of Castelnuovo is the Arno valley, which in Hannibal’s day was a swamp! We climb through the Parco Alpi Apuane on tiny roads before winding our way past the outskirts of Lucca heading to our destination Pisa. We pass numerous beautiful hill towns as we circumnavigate the busy heart of Italy. Pisa makes a wonderful and atmospheric stop for the night as we head into the centre of Tuscany.

dAy 3 PisA to sAn gimignAno

87km (54 miles)

Our destination today is the fairytale town of San Gimignano which among other things is known as the town of fine towers and boasts a gelataria that holds the title for making the world’s best gelato! The riding is typically Tuscan - rolling hills covered in sunflowers and vineyards, hilltowns spotted across the landscape and postcard scenes at every turn. Tuscany is renowned for its beauty and the next 3 days riding will show you why.

47

dAy by dAy

ExPEdition notEs: In Hannibal’s day this area was known as the Arno swamps, surprisingly apt considering its current state! In Renaissance times the swamps were drained so the land could be used for agriculture. Hannibal and his army travelled through these swamps for days on end and it is here that he is said to have lost one of his eyes to disease.

dAy 5 sAnt’ AnnA to PErugiA

101km (63 miles)

Leaving Val d’Orcia we head east towards the region known as the ‘green heart of Italy’ – Umbria. Before leaving the valley though we pass by the imposing hill town of Montepulciano and for anyone looking to fuel up on red wine for the day ahead we definitely recommend the Vino Nobile as a fine tipple. We cycle towards and around Lake Trasimeno which is the largest body of water, south of the Po River. A fairly shallow lake it is home to an abundance of freshwater fish which presents a different lunch option for those wanting to try something lighter than the usual Tuscan culinary fare. We finish the day climbing into the hilltown of Perugia, the capital of Umbria and a popular university town. With its Etruscan roots and rich Roman history it is a wonderful place to visit.

ExPEdition notEs: As we traverse the north side Lake Trasimene through a town called Sanguineto meaning ‘river of blood’ it is easy to imagine the horrible fate of the Roman army at the battle of Trasimene. Hannibal again outwitted his Roman counterpart leading the Roman consul into a trap and slaughtering 15000 Romans - hence the name of the town still today refers to the rivers that ran with the blood of the soldiers. See the history section for more information on this battle. 48


dAy 4 sAn gimignAno to sAnt’ AnnA

127km (79 miles)

Today we experience more of the enchanting cycling terrain for which Tuscany is so renowned. Our ride takes us into the heart of the Chianti Classico region - we pass by and through both Castellina and Radda in Chianti - on our way to our picnic lunch amongst the vines and olive groves at San Felice. Be aware that the ‘rolling hills’ of Tuscany certainly ‘roll’ but such is the majesty of the scenery it hardly seems to matter. The second part of the ride takes us into the verdant area known as Val d’Orcia which is home to Tuscany’s other renowned DOCG wines – Brunello and Vino Nobile. Our abode for the night is in a former monastery called Sant’Anna di Caprena which is close to Pienza and provides one of the more atmospheric stays of the tour.

ExPEdition notEs: One of the accusations towards Hannibal’s army was that in its 16 years in Italy it became soft. The men enjoyed the countryside, the produce of the land and forgot what they were there for. Riding through the heart of Tuscany we will come to understand this as we sample these same temptations!

dAy 6 PErugiA to nArni

104km (65 miles)

dAy 7 nArni to lAkE brACCiAno

70km (44 miles)

Leaving Narni we head into the region of Lazio of which Rome is the capital and therefore ever closer to our final destination. The first half of the ride keeps us up in the hills on roads above and away from the traffic that builds up as Rome approaches. Be sure to enjoy these quiet roads before we descend down into the Tiber valley and towards Lago Bracciano. Located 30km to the north of Rome we complete our ride with lunch and a glass of Prosecco on the shores of the lake famous as a Roman playground since ancient times.. From here we will shuttle you into the centre of Rome for our final night out, as to ride into the city would be a challenge that even Hannibal would baulk at!

49

dAy by dAy( continued )


ExPEdition notEs: It was only now, post Trasimene, that the Romans began to understand that they couldn’t defeat Hannibal. A general Fabius came up with the tactics which gave him the title in history ‘the delayer’. His method was to never engage Hannibal in battle but to follow him and ensure he couldn’t roam too widely – he hoped to wear down the Carthaginian general but the Roman people were not used to giving such respect to an enemy commander. It would not be long before their patience ran out.

ExPEdition notEs: For 16 years Hannibal roamed Italy. The Roman people didn’t tolerate Fabius’ tactics long and Hannibal defeated them again at Cannae (near Bari). Outnumbered 2-1 he slaughtered an estimated 70,000 Roman soldiers – to this day is the most men killed in a single days conflict. He marched on Rome once but never besieged the city – one of his general’s Maharbhal supposedly remarked ‘Hannibal, you know how to win the

Our sojourn in Perugia is brief as today we head into the southern reaches of Umbria on our way to the ancient hill town of Narni. The area around Narni was inhabited in both the Palaeolithic and Neolithic ages and is incidentally very close to the geographic centre of Italy. The first part of the ride today, after descending out of Perugia, is relatively flat as we cycle down the Tevere valley. Cycling through this region known as the ‘green heart of Italy’ we pass through the quaint town of Bevagna which was originally an Etruscan settlement, before cycling to Montefalco – home of the majestic Sagrantino red wines. Staying in the atmospheric town of Narni tonight you truly get to appreciate the merits of seeking out the road less travelled.


loop

cue

s

dAy 8 romE

After a leisurely breakfast and before going our separate ways we can visit the site where Hannibal launched his spear over the Servian walls in frustration at the Romans who wouldn’t come out to fight.

Epilogue: Eventually Rome sent an equally capable general to Africa to attack Hannibal’s home town of Carthage. He was recalled and defeated. Unlike Rome who bounced back again and again Carthage and Hannibal only had one life and they surrendered. Hannibal retired into politics and was briefly tolerated by Rome but soon set out to the east to rouse kingdoms against his eternal enemy. At the age of 62 he was tracked down by the Romans and surrounded took poison saying “Let us now put an end to a life which has caused Rome so much anxiety”


50

ExPEdition notEs: Rome -A fitting place to end Hannibal’s tour. The one place in Italy that Hannibal never conquered! Whilst Rome was to thrive, Carthage and Hannibal were destined for destruction. Hannibal launched a single spear, thrown in frustration over Rome’s Servian walls, but he never took the city. We will see these walls in Rome they run through Rome Termini train station and amazingly through the McDonalds which exists underground in this complex!

simPliCity is thE kEy to

tusCAn CuisinE with dishEs

bAsEd on toP quAlity

ingrEdiEnts inCluding

lEgumEs, brEAd, ChEEsE,

VEgEtAblEs And FrEsh Fruit.

Food

As stage 4 continues we find ourselves in picturesque Tuscany. Simplicity is the key to Tuscan cuisine with dishes based on top quality ingredients including legumes, bread, cheese, vegetables and fresh fruit. The delicious Tuscan soup called Ribollita will refuel you at the end of a long day with its ingredients of bread, cannellini beans and vegetables. For more detailed information on Tuscan cuisine visit our Tuscan tour page.

We then pass into Umbria where the renowned Norcia black truffles are found. Other produce includes fresh ricotta, delicious pecorino cheese and high quality olive oils from the Trevi area. For main meals expect Strangozzi pasta and perhaps even suckling pig. Visit our Umbrian tour page for some more detailed information on Umbrian Cuisine. Our journey is coming to an end as we enter the Lazio region and in to Rome.

There is a predominance of pork in dishes in Lazio including as an ingredient in pasta sauces or roasted (porchetta). Other typical dishes to look out for are Carciofi alla Giudea (lightly fried artichokes), Fiori di Zucca (stuffed zucchini flowers) and Baccala’ (deep fried salted cod).

Food & winE

51

winE

Tuscany is home to many great wines. Tuscany is the great rival to Piedmont for the mantle of being Italy’s premier wine area and stage 4 provides an opportunity to form your own opinion on their relative merits. The Tuscans certainly believe that they are deserving of the honour and with Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and the ‘Super Tuscans’ all produced in the region they clearly have a strong case.

After Tuscany we head in to Umbria which whilst often overshadowed by its more illustrious neighbour, Tuscany, produces some great wines of its own. Indeed, the unique wines of this region truly reflect the land it is produced on and show Italy at its best. The wines made from the Sagrantino grape in Montefalco for example have few peers.


tusCAny is thE grEAt

riVAl to PiEdmont For

thE mAntlE oF bEing

itAly’s PrEmiEr winE ArEA

And stAgE 3 ProVidEs An

oPPortunity to Form

your own oPinion on

thEir rElAtiVE mErits.

52

53

history

After the Carthaginian victory at Trebbia, Hannibal waited until the warmer months to continue his march towards Rome. He once again did what was least expected and marched through the now mostly drained Arno swamps on the northern edge of Tuscany.

It took the Carthaginians four sleepless days to traverse the marshes during which time one of Hannibal’s eyes became infected and he eventually lost it. The Roman Consul Flaminius was waiting for the invaders on the other side near Arretium (modern Arezzo).

Before this encounter, Hannibal rested his army and sought intelligence on his enemy. He learned that not only was the surrounding countryside ripe with plunder – as we will discover as we ride through it – endless olive groves, vineyards, orchards and pretty hilltop towns. But that Flaminius “had very little talent for the conduct of war and yet was absurdly over-confident about his own resources!” (Polybius III.80)!

The Romans also had the reputation of playing to the gallery so Hannibal hatched a plan that would play on his opponent’s weaknesses and draw the Roman army into another disastrous defeat.

Hannibal ravaged the countryside leaving nothing in his wake, Flaminius followed with his army, his anger and impatience growing with every destructive move Hannibal made. Hannibal wanted a fight and knew that Flaminius’ ego would not allow the Carthaginians to go on like this for long. He also knew exactly where he wanted the Romans and marched along the northern edge of Lake Trasimene.

He was eager to catch Hannibal and continued on carelessly, without sending scouts ahead, even though a thick fog meant he was marching blind. Hannibal had been busy during the night. He had ranged his troops along the slope above the lake edge where Flaminius marched and the Roman army walked straight into the trap.


54

thE romAns Also hAd thE

rEPutAtion oF PlAying to

thE gAllEry so hAnnibAl

hAtChEd A PlAn thAt would

PlAy on his oPPonEnt’s

wEAknEssEs And drAw thE

romAn Army into AnothEr

disAstrous dEFEAt.

In the mist the Romans were attacked on all sides and, with no visibility - re-organising and issuing effective orders was impossible. The Romans were in complete disarray and Polybius says “death took them unawares while they were still wondering what to do” (III. 84). The Romans were slaughtered where they stood or forced back into Lake Trasimene where they were picked off by the cavalry or drowned. Fifteen thousand Romans died, Flaminius among them.

This news was greeted in Rome with dismay – so much so that the Republic decided to do away with their normal process of government and adopt more radical measures to meet the crisis: a dictator!

So as Hannibal headed off to the Adriatic coast unopposed the Roman Senate was installing Quintus Fabius as their dictator. A man “outstanding for his steadiness of judgement” (Polybius III.87), he was to become famous as the Great Delayer – shadowing Hannibal and his army but never offering battle.

Fabius restricted the resources available to the great general and slowly wore Hannibal down. However, again the Roman people’s patience would soon run out and Rome would send another army, this time close to double Hannibal’s forces, out to confront the Carthaginian general….

Hannibal would spend a further 15 undefeated years in Italy. If you want to read more Hannibalic history please send me an email at [email protected].

Hannibal

Essentials

wE hAVE workEd hArd to minimisE thE ExtEnt oF grAding

subjECtiVity through our “EsPrEsso” ClAssiFiCAtion

Grading bike tours is not easy given that there is always an inherent element of subjectivity involved, both in terms of how we judge the tours and also how participants assess their respective cycling capabilities. The van is always available as a sag wagon but we think that it is important to be clear about the difficulty of a tour before you sign up.

Our grading levels compliment this distinction by providing a more detailed breakdown of the sort of rider that you are. This breakdown corresponds to the way that we classify the difficulty levels of each tour and are based on distance, terrain and time in the saddle. In some cases this grading incorporates two levels as it is hard to always be totally clear cut but as a guide we hope it helps. Please note that the ‘who am I’ part is not an existential question and we do not include the optional extra loops.

Our Hannibal tour, as an Epic tour, is by definition a tough undertaking and hence it is classified as such. Of the 4 stages, Stage 2 is undoubtedly the hardest crossing the Alps, but Stage 3 also offers a significant and not to be underestimated challenge in the foothills and crossing of the Apennines. These are classified as 3 1/2 espresso cups (Level C/ D). Stages 1 and 4 on the other hand, whilst still challenging, are classified as 3 cups (Level C).

Our classification for the whole tour - The Epic - corresponds to stages 2 and 3 and has a 3/12 cup grading. With extra loops included it is a 4 cup tour.

grAding

56

thE EPiC - barcelona to rome!


stAgE 1 - the road less travelled


stAgE 2 - Across the Alps


stAgE 3 - the italian’s italy


stAgE 4 - Classic italy


stAgE 4 gArFAgnAnA to romE

distAnCE: 587 km (367 milEs)

The Espresso levels below correspond to our Hannibal gradings

Level C

Who am I? Fitness is a central part of my life. I ride my bike on a weekly basis and am comfortable with rides of 2 hours or more at a relatively strong tempo. I like a physical challenge and like to get my heart pumping.

Distance: 70-115km (43-71 miles)Altitude gain: 1000-2000mTime in saddle: 3-5hoursTerrain: All terrain, with hills averaging 3-4km, but up to 10km in length.

Level D

Who am I? I ride my bike an average of 160km per week and enjoy riding at a fast pace for an extended period of time. I love to push myself to my physical limits. Distance: 100-160km (60-100miles)Altitude gain: 1500-4000mTime in saddle: 4-8hoursTerrain: Whatever is put in front of me!

57

grAding ( continued )

wE EndEAVour to CrEAtE

bikE tour itinErAriEs thAt

go bEyond thE norm

Our Expedition Tour reading lists are aimed at being accessible to everyone - all the books are historical but there is fiction, primary authors and serious historians so take your pick! As always if you want any more information or more recommendations please contact us

58

rEAding

For morE inFormAtion

on thEsE books ChECk

out thE hAnnibAl tour

rEAding sECtion on thE

wEbsitE

www.rideandseek.com

mEAls

We really try to immerse you in the culture of the areas that we visit and this is very much reflected by the menus that we present on tour. We seek to incorporate the regional flavours into the meals you’ll eat, whilst at the same time trying to provide as much variety as possible. In some cases you’ll eat ‘al la carte’ whereas in others there is a set menu or a multi course buffet. However the food is presented we can assure you will be blown away by the range and quality of the food on offer.

As well as putting a lot of time into selecting great menus on the tour we are also passionate about the wines that accompany them. It is a great coincidence that many of the iconic cycling areas of Europe are also great wine regions – it is certainly the case with our tours. As such we are always keen to present a range of the finest wines each area we travel in has to offer. We run an optional wine kitty system which covers the cost of the wines on tour.

trAnsPort

Whilst on tour all your travel needs are covered by us. This includes transfers, road support and any extra shuttles that are required. Obviously your bike will be your primary mode of transport whilst you are on tour but you will be given van support each day which will serve to keep you fed and watered, as well as providing you with a lift if you need it.

insurAnCE

We require that you have adequate travel insurance organized before you come on tour that covers baggage, health, travel and accident insurance. Ride and Seek will not assume responsibility or liability for any loss or damage to persons or their personal effects, or for any injury or loss sustained during the tour.

gEnErAl inFormAtion

59

tour PAymEnts

The cut off point for paying the balance on all tours is 90 days. Prior to this, in order to secure your place on a tour you simply need to fill out the booking form and pay the deposit. 90 days marks the point at which the balance needs to be paid in full though and hence tours booked within this period require full payment at the time of booking. Make sure you check our Terms and Conditions – available on our Website – before booking.

PrE/Post tour

We are more than happy to provide advice on travel arrangements to and from the tour, as well as offering tips on where to go both before and after the tour itself.

ArriVAl And dEPArturE

The start and end point for all of our tours is the hotels that we begin and end the tours in. When the hotel is not easily accessible we also provide a shuttle from a designated point – normally a transport hub – to make getting there easier.

gEnErAl inFormAtion ( continued )

60

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s��-/34�,5.#(%3��we provide 2 lunches on each stage )s��7).%��we run an optional wine kitty on tour )

PriCing

stAgE 1 - A road less travelled 8 days / 7 nights

663 km (414 miles)

� � � � � � ��%UROS

stAgE 2 - over the Alps 8 days/ 7 nights

606 km (379 miles)

��%UROS

stAgE 3 - the italian’s italy 8 days/ 7 nights

622 km (389 miles)

� � � � � � ��%UROS

stAgE 4 - Classic italy 8 days/ 7 nights

597 km (373 miles)

� � � � � � ��%UROS

EPiC - barcelona to rome 29 days / 28 nights

2488 km (1555 miles)

� � � � � � ��%UROS

Flights And mEEting Points

We suggest that you arrive at least one day prior to the tour start, which will enable you to adjust to the time zone and minimise the risk of missing the trip start due to flight related delays. Whilst we are not accredited tour agents we are able to advise you on the most convenient ways to get to and depart from our tours.

grAding

Our grading system is designed to act as a guide to help participants choose the tour best suited to their cycling abilities. Please be aware that a certain degree of subjectivity is inherent in attempts to classify difficulty levels and therefore we generally suggest that you underestimate rather than overestimate your capabilities. That said our van support is second to none and there is no shame in hitching a lift if you need to.

gEnErAl inFormAtion ( Continued )

61

our PrE tour inFormAtion PACk, whiCh wE

sEnd you whEn you sign on to thE tour, will

tEll you EVErything From whAt to bring And

mEEting ArrAngmEnts to trAining And Flight

rECommEndAtions.

grouPs

We prefer to keep the group sizes on our tours small. From experience we feel the best balance when it comes to tour numbers is somewhere between 10 -16 people both in terms of the social dynamic and the quality of customer service that we can provide. The maximum number on the Local tours is 16 and in the event we go over this number on an Expedition tour we bring a third guide along.

Custom Tours

gEnErAl inFormAtion ( continued )

http://www.rideandseek.com/links#custom

ContACt dEtAils

If you have any questions or want to enquire about the expedition please send us an email

[email protected]

or call

dylAn +61 (0)401 160 595

sAm +61 (0)412 540 984

Thanks for looking at our itinerary, we hope it inspires you to come ride the Hannibal

Expedtion!

www.ridEAndsEEk.Com

Book

the H

annibal Expedition

http://www.rideandseek.com

http://www.rideandseek.com/booking-form?id=hannibal

http://www.rideandseek.com/booking-form?id=hannibal

www.ridEAndsEEk.Com

a cycling expedition 2200 years in the making. hannibal · 2019. 12. 5. · roman aqueducts, cathar...

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