ITALY COAST TO COAST

CLASSIC ROUTE | distance 280 kilometers | uphill difference in altitude 2.500 meters

OPTIONAL CLIMB | DISTANCE 290 kilometers | uphill difference in altitude 3.100meters

The two routes are identical up to Vicopisano – 231 km. From there, the Classic route continues along the slopes of Monte Serra, while the Optional Climb route climbs from Buti to Colle di Calci. The routes meet again in front of the Certosa di Calci.

Anyone who wants to tackle the optional climb must have passed the closing gate at Pinone before 4.00 pm

CLIMBS DESCRIPTION

START from CESENATICO HOTEL MIRAMARE

First climb – starts at km 38, in 6 km it goes up of 305 meters, reaching Rocca delle Caminate.

Second climb at Valico Tre Faggi, starting from Predappio, you reach 930 meters above sea level Cima Coppi of this route, 860 meters of altitude difference, in just under 40 kilometers.

First OK-point at Premilcuore – km 73 480m / tea and fruit for subscribers

Second OK-point BAR CAVALLINO – km 95 700m / snack with focaccia and other for subscribers

Third climb – starts at 163 km Carmignano-Il Pinone, 380 metres of climbing in about 12 kilometres to reach 420 metres above sea level.

Third check-point RISTORANTE PINONE km 183 420m– pasta al ragù for subscribers CLOSING GATE h. 16.00

Optional climb to Colle di Calci – Prato Ceragiola 600D+, check-point RISTORANTE I CRISTALLI – km 242, between Buti and the summit there are 6 kilometres of climbing with an average gradient of 7%

By the way, along your ride, between start and finish, you will climb about 1000 m more of the principal climbs, some up-and-down will engage your legs Stay TRAINED!

FINISH CHECKPOINT – BAGNO SIRIA TIRRENIA You are SUNCHASER!

Those who want to tackle the fourth optional climb must pass the closing gate at Pinone before 4:00 p.m.

ROADBOOK DOWNLOAD

The optional climb to Colle di Calci takes approximately 60 to 90 minutes longer depending on your pace

between Buti and the summit there are 6 kilometres of climbing with an average gradient of 7%

FAQ

At the end of the cycle ride, does any kind of ranking take place?

No, there’s no ranking. It’s a ride, not a race! There’s the satisfaction and pride of belonging to the SUNCHASER INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, for those who arrive on the beach in Tirrenia by sunset.
Chase the Sun isn’t a Gran Fondo, it’s not a Rando, it’s Chase the Sun, folks. The most romantic long-distance cycling challenge. From coast to coast, from east to west, from dawn to dusk, chasing the sun.

Can cyclists participate in the day’s event without taking part in the dinner?

Unfortunately not. Registration for the cycle ride includes the dinners. The spirit of the event is to create something which goes beyond a mere cycle ride. The start and finish dinners are an integral part of the cycle ride and help create a sociable atmosphere.

The welcome dinner in Cesenatico, together with a final technical briefing offers the opportunity to get acquainted with the fellow cyclists. Dinner on arrival at the beach on the Tirrenian coast with a swim, a shower, a group photo, a restaurant reserved for the participants, music and the “Chase the Sun” cake will help make your participation in the long distance cycling challenge an unforgettable experience.

Is there any closing gate time?

Yes, the cutoff time for restarting from the third checkpoint—the Il Pinone restaurant/top of the Carmignano climb—is 4:00 PM. From this point, there are just under 100 kilometers to the finish line. Those restarting from the Pinone after 4:00 PM will not be able to tackle the optional climb from Buti to Colle di Calci. The two routes split at Vicopisano—km 231—from here, turn left toward San Giovanni Alla Vena, skirting the slopes of Mount Serra. The two routes rejoin in front of the Certosa di Calci.

Lights are needed?

Front (white) and rear (red) lights are recommended as well as respect for the rules of the road by the participants. We advise you to bring a power bank to recharge your navigator, lights and phone.

Can cyclists participate without registering (non-member/no licence)?

Yes, this is possible, giving us a fitness medical certificate for competitive sports activity (you can upload in the Endu registration form). You can find here a facsimile filling the form. The medical certificate must be uploaded in digital format upon registration form and be clearly legible (scanned or photographed).

Is there a rescue truck or any other assistance along the route?

A broom wagon is not provided; each participant must be able to complete the route independently. However, the drivers of the relay teams will be available to assist other participants if requested and possible.
From Pontassieve to the finish line, the route is often close to the railway, so you can use regional trains that provide bike transport services to Pisa. From there, the 16-kilometer Trammino cycle path will take you to the finish line.

The ride is accompanied by the Turbolenti Pacers, who will maintain the average speed of 24, 20 and 18 km. You can choose your average speed and take on the challenge together with one of our Pacers, recognizable by the FOLLOW ME writing on their shirt!

How can cyclists get to Cesenatico and return to Pisa?

The railway stations of Cesenatico / Rimini, or Ravenna, and Pisa (16km from Tirrenia) are well connected by many regional, intercity and fast trains.

On all regional trains, bicycles can be transported without having to remove the wheels. On all other trains, bikes (not ITALO) can be transported as normal baggage, provided that the wheels are removed and the whole fame is placed in a bag.
Bologna and Rimini airports are convenient for the cycling departure point (as is also Verona, but the transfer is definitely longer). Upon arrival, Pisa airport is a practical option and is easy to reach. The hotels we support can provide transfers to and from airports and stations by taxi-minivan.

A chauffeur service is available upon request for those arriving by car at Cesenatico who want to be taken to Tirrenia on the day of the cycling event (quite expensive service).

TOUR PACKAGES AND TRANSFER
For touring services clic here to land on the dedicated sectioN

What is a self supported ride?

Chase the Sun is a self-supported ride. Along the route, each participant must be self-sufficient, both for orientation and in case of a puncture or minor mechanical problems. Have a spare pair of inner tubes, the repair kit, a pump and a multi-tool with you. Your bike should be in best condition of maintenance, serviced, with tires and chain not worn, registered gear. Brakes in perfect working order. Equipped with lights to be used at dawn and possibly after sunset, if necessary.

No broom wagon is provided. Each participant must be able to tackle the route independently. However, the drivers of the teams participating in relay mode will be available to assist, if requested and possible, all participants.

In the second part of the route, from Pontassieve to Pisa, the route of the Chase the Sun is often close to the railway line.
The closest train stations to the route: Firenze SM Novella, Signa and San Miniato-Fucecchio. In addition to the small station of S. Donnino, next to the dirt road out of Florence, and Montelupo Fiorentino, easily reachable by going down south from Pinone, along via Castra. From Pisa train station you can reach the finish line by following the direction of San Pietro a Grado-Marina di Pisa, on Via Livornese. Behind the station at about 150m from the square, on the left starts the bike path that leads to the sea. The distance from Pisa Station to Tirrenia Bagni Siria is 16km

Can an all-male team participate in the relay?

No. At least one female participant is required. Relays must be mixed or all-female, with 3 or 4 members, at your discretion. Each relay team is permitted to have one support car.

Is luggage transport provided from departure to arrival?

Yes, luggage will be delivered on Saturday morning before departure, in front of the Hotel Miramare, with your number sticker carefully applied and clearly visible. It will be transferred to Bagni Siria in Tirrenia in a secure location for collection upon arrival. It will be delivered only to those who present themselves with the participation bracelet. IMPORTANT: We encourage everyone to keep their luggage to a minimum for the 48 hours of the event. Luggage must be delivered in one piece.

THINK BIKE THINK GREEN

Leave no trace of your passage.
Help us to respect nature and keep the streets clean by not throwing anything on the ground.

VIDEO 2019

VIDEO 2018

VIDEO 2017

RIDE PACER

The Turbolento Pacers will ride the Chase The Sun and you can decide to join them, according to the average hourly speed you choose (among 24/20/16 kms per hour). The START is at 5:30 a.m. for everyone. The average speeds are calculated with no breaks, so remember to add a few moments to refresh and feed yourself and take pictures.

Railway stations along the way

From Dicomano and Pontassieve the cycling route runs parallel to the regional railway line.

These are the railway stations closest to the route: Rufina, Pontassieve, Florence SM Novella, San Donnino (next to the gravel roads out of Florence), Signa, Montelupo Fiorentino (easily rechable by descending from Pinone southwards, along the via Castra), Empoli (at the crossroads for Vinci continue straight along the sp43), San Miniato-Fucecchio. You can travel on regional trains with your bike.

From Pisa station the direction is San Piero a Grado-Marina di Pisa, following the via Livornese.

Keeping the station behind you, at about 150m from the Station square, on your left you can find the cycle path that leads to the sea, Marina di Pisa and Tirrenia.