"Track & Tour" Italy Full Throttle on Mugello

Day 2 Rome to Siena 181mi - 290km

There is no escaping it, this is Rome and this morning we face 2 miles of lane splitting and a little aggressive Roman traffic to get out of town. Once free we quickly exit the Autostrada and follow the roads through the hazelnut trees to our first coffee stop. This is Italy, and we ride like Italians so of course we stop mid morning for an espresso. Villages give way to winding roads in the hills and we do our first fast section on a group of curves approaching Lake Bolsena. The country opens up to vast empty valleys as we ride to the small castle hill town of Radicofani. This is a lovely little town that no tour bus could ever reach with an expansive view of the valley below. This is an example of the real Italy that so many visitors miss and worth of a longer stay, so we stop here for lunch. Along a ridge line road we follow the curves to Pienza. This city was considered to be the perfect town layout back in the Renaissance. It attracts it’s fair share of visitors but it’s certainly worth a look, plus it’s also a good place to get a little after lunch gelato. Another quick section of curves and we start to enter Sienna. Usually we try to stay at a local Inn outside of town owned by Ms Letizia who has turned an old farm into a lovely villa with an excellent view of Sienna… from the swimming pool. Toast your first day with a glass of prosecco as the sun sets behind the city. Tonight we dine on local food prepared in Letizia’s own kitchen from her garden.

Day 3 Siena to Bologna 182mi - 292km

After a home cooked breakfast we head across the vineyards, a short stretch of highway and then lunch in Vinci. Yes that Vinci, his bronze sculpture of a war horse still stands in the town square. Over the mountains and along a narrow gorge brings us to our afternoon coffee stop in the spa town of Porretta. Next an array of small curvy backroads sneak us right up to the city of Bologna without ever having to hit a major highway. This is the local expertise that Enrico provides. Tonight we stay in a local business hotel. If you were doing business with Ducati, this is where you would stay. Bologna has regional specialties outside of making fast bikes and cars, they are also the masters of ravioli and tortellini. Tonight is your opportunity to try these dishes direct from the source. 

Day 4 Bologna to Mugello 130mi - 209km

Grab a quick breakfast and then ride a few blocks to Ducati headquarters for our scheduled visit. Even for those not fascinated with motorcycles will find Ducati’s modern factory itself interesting. The museum displays the  legacy of Italian passion for two wheeled power. Grab a few trinkets for your envious friends at the gift shop and off we go to tackle the local run up Ratticosa pass. Order your sandwich at the top before we dive down into a Tuscan valley and head for Sambucca pass. This road is a common test ground for Ducati’s new street models. Mugello Circuit itself is set in a Tuscan farming valley. The closest village is Scarperia. You’ll be staying at a resort nearby. Chances are you’ll hear the sound of engines from your balcony.

Day 5 Track Day 1 on Mugello

You are joining a standard European trackway with a bit of a twist. There will be an A group a B group and then your coached group. You’ll have classroom instruction by Troy Corser and be paired up with one other rider and a coach. Your coach will lead you and follow you with video and review your progress each session. Today is all about learning the lines of Mugello and getting used to the BMW S1000RR. This allows you to get the maximum out of your time at Mugello and also enjoy the S1000RR. Passengers will be informed beforehand by Leod Escapes of how to plan the perfect first day in Florence.

Day 6 Track Day 2 on Mugello

Your lines should be getting tighter today. Today is about body position. Troy has a different style. Try it. Some elements of it might work for you or maybe all of them will. There’s more than one way to ride a bike fast see what you can learn from this two time world champion. Passengers it’s time to get serious about Florence and see the Ufizi Gallery and get some shopping in.

Day 7 Track Day 3 on Mugello

Today you’ll work on braking and putting it all together. You might be a bit tired but if you are doing things right it takes less effort. We call the tour “Full Throttle” because of this day. Certainly by day 3 you will be going full throttle down the front straight and that is one hell of an experience. While Troy will be riding on track with everyone everyday and pointing out what he sees. You should not forget that during these 3 days Troy is available to do “Two Ups”. This is not only a thrilling ride but can also be very educational as you see first hand where Troy puts his bike on the track and how he rides. Passengers we advise you to sleep in a bit today, take advantage of any spa services you booked when you arrived and then visit the race track at the end of the day so you can see what all the excitement is about. Maybe even reserve a two up with Troy Corser before hand for the ultimate ride.

Day 8 Mugello to Rome 217mi - 350km

We hitting the back road route all the way to Rome. Rolling hills, vineyards, orchards and pure Italy as no tour bus ever sees. As we head south we enter Enrico’s home territory north of Rome. We’ll stop for a special lunch here before indulging yet again in some gelato in Enrico’s home town. Tonight our farewell feast takes place at a great place for pizza or great cuts of meat. As usual you’ll be finishing your meal with a bit too much limoncello.

Day 9 Departure Day

It’s time to say goodbye but it won’t be forever. Track riders travel well together and friendships made on these tours often span countries and years. It’s not uncommon for whole tour groups to want to travel with each other again and all reserve a different tour together the following year. Make sure your Leod Escapes has your flight information so we can arrange your private car to the airport. You return home with more than special memories. Everyone always says it’s a trip of a lifetime… and then we see them again for a different adventure the following year.

Day 10

Day 11