The 'Vesuvio Gravel' cycle-tourism event arrives in Naples on June 1st

The next 1st of June arrives at Napoli la Vesuvius Gravel, the first event for gravel bikes and as a baptism it could only choose Vesuvius.

It will take place on a 100 km route on secondary roads, paths and single tracks for more than half of the itinerary. There will be no shortage of climbs, which added together will lead to a difference in altitude greater than the summit of Vesuvius. The recommended bike to tackle it with is precisely the gravel bike (also mountain bikes for those who want to feel more confident), a versatile bike that offers speed when needed and strength when the road becomes dirt and also allows you to look at an unbeaten road and let yourself be guided by curiosity.

The Vesuvio Gravel will start from the headquarters of Napoli Pedala, in Mostra d'Oltremare at 7.00. Just enough time for breakfast and then we will dive towards the center through unusual and secret streets, passing from the majesty of the monuments, to the intimacy of the alleys that are community places, all in a blender of emotions, sounds, colors, noises, smells, to make you lose every point of reference, not only for the participants who will come from outside the region, but also for many Neapolitans who will find themselves discovering unexpected corners of their city.

You will leave the city from the east, along the road of the Golden Mile and the splendid Vesuvian villas. Then the climb will begin, behind the town of Torre del Greco between dirt single tracks and then along the path of the Matrone road up to the top, skirting rivers of stone and the signs of the Vesuvian lava flows. From here the descent will begin on the magnificent hairpin bends of the volcanic sand, where you will feel like you are floating, with the bike deciding its wake.

The exit will be at Ottaviano near the Castello Mediceo where a well-deserved refreshment will welcome the participants. From here the journey will continue through the fertile lands on the slopes of Monte Somma. Panoramic return to Naples, first crossing the Bosco di Capodimonte and then on the Posillipo hill. The aperitif at sunset will be the place to tell each other about your feat and the effort. Music, cold beer will do the rest.

Vesuvio Gravel is the preview of a real cycling trip, 350 km long that will take place in several stages scheduled for 2025, which will reach the most internal areas of the region, enhancing dirt roads, woods and paths. The aim is to build a network of paths accessible by bike, which aims to transform, as has happened in many other experiences, unpaved roads or roads on which it would be prohibitive to do maintenance into roads with zero vehicular traffic.

The Vesuvio Gravel is one of the events of the Napoli Bike Festival 2024 which will see us meet again immediately after the summer with the Napoli Obliqua on October 27th with mountain bike enthusiasts. It is an event promoted by the Napoli Pedala Association, it is one of the sporting events supported by the ARUS Campania Region, it enjoys the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Italy, INAIL Campania and the patronage of the Campania Region, the Municipality of Naples, it is part of the Spring of Sweet Mobility of AMODO. Here the link to sign up.