Crankscapes

Have I Listened to My Smart Self? It’s 9 PM, the sky is pitch-black, and my front light is running out of juice. After nearly an hour struggling through a sticky, peanut-butter-like section of less than a kilometer, I now stand at the entrance of a farm with a large "DO NOT ENTER" sign. Not quite the adventurous, freewheeling moment I envisioned earlier this morning, full of excitement and anticipation. This year, in my quest to complete at least one bikepacking ride in each of Italy’s 20 regions, I signed up for the Romagna Bike Trail —a 310 km mixed-terrain adventure. The route is designed to showcase the lesser-known paths of the northern Emilia Romagna region, famous for Bologna and coastal gems like Rimini. I’ve been hooked on bikepacking long before the gravel scene exploded and before a slew of events promised a laid-back experience connecting with nature. For a lifelong off-road enthusiast like me, the idea of extending the ride beyond just one day was irresistible. ...