The Bicycle Adventure Club - Come Ride With Us!

Le Marche 2026

May 15th to May 30th

Ride Director: Julie Leever
Ride Co-Director: David Rich
Report by: Pat Gill

Few things are more enjoyable than a two-week bike trip in the Le Marche region of central Italy. Southeast of Tuscany and nestled against the Adriatic Sea, Le Marche remains a timeless wonder of medieval hilltop villages, walled castles with influences dating as far back as the Roman Empire as well as with the art and architecture of the Renaissance period.

The region offers stunning scenery of a largely rural environment set against the backdrop of the Central Apennines which serve as a rugged, dramatic spine along the region's western border with Umbria. Stretching from soaring limestone peaks to quiet nature reserves, this landscape offers a wild, uncrowded alternative to the better-known Dolomites or Tuscany.  True to the 4B rating for the tour, some climbing can be challenging but the vistas from each successive hilltop village make the effort so worth it!

The tour starts (and finishes) at a wonderful bike hotel in the beachfront town of Riccione. The hotel caters to every cyclist’s needs and the proximity to the beach was appreciated by those who were able to bask in the warm Adriatic sand on the last day of our adventure.

This tour is as much of a bicycle adventure as it is an epicurean experience! Over decades of trip planning in Italy, tour leader Julie has cultivated personal relationships with all the hoteliers providing lodging for the group which resulted in finely curated multi-course feasts at group dinners that are worthy of Michelin star consideration. Lodging in centuries old and wonderfully restored buildings where the BAC group were the only inhabitants of the hotel added to the sense of exclusiveness felt on the tour. On evenings without a group dinner, reservations were available at restaurants where Julie is often friends with the owners and staff, and it was so heartwarming to see Julie rekindle friendships with such old acquaintances over food and drink!

In the land of fast cars and generally respectful drivers, those with wider tires will benefit as the Le Marche country roads vary widely from fresh and steaming tarmac to cracked, broken, and sometimes crumbling macadam. Traffic in and around the major towns such as Riccione, Pesaro, Ascoli Piceno and Urbino was heavy at predictable times but was never unduly concerning.

Route Raps during happy hour were informative and motivational, designed to prepare everyone mentally for the routes available for the next day’s adventure. David Rich did an amazing job of developing alternative routes during the tour, providing additional RWGPS routes to ensure all participants had desired distance and elevation options available.

Things not to miss on this tour include a ride to the Republic of San Marino, a visit to the Hat Museum in Montappone, a walk through the Palazzo Ducale in Urbino, as well as exploring gelato shops in every town along the way!

We gathered for a final group dinner in Riccione before parting ways with hugs, handshakes, and commitments to find ways to ride together again with our new BAC friends. The group consensus was that the planning, execution, and support provided by Julie and David were off the charts with many participants hoping to join a future tour with them both.