Join Rolling Dreamers with 3T and Fondo in this exclusive Dutch version of our Via Francigena Gravel Tour.

Included in this gravel tour is the use of a 3T, and a 10-week custom preperation program designed by the Dutch Cycling Federation‘s coaches within the offial training app Fondo. A select group of cyclists will be supported by our expert guides on the road along with a support van. At least one guide will be Dutch speaking.

Four unforgettable days of cycling, starting in the cradle of the Renaissance Florence and finishing in the eternal city of Rome following the ancient pilgrimage route of the Via Francigena, passing through the vineyards of Tuscany and into undiscovered northern Lazio.

About training for the Via Francigena gravel tour with Fondo

Fondo is the training app of the Dutch Cycling Federation KNWU. For Dutch and Flemmish cyclists of all levels who like a challenge. Train specifically for your personal goal. Climb better, sprint faster or prepare yourself for the Via Francigena or Dolomites gravel tour with Rolling Dreamers and 3T. You train as often as you want and whenever you want, your training schedule is adapted to your possibilities. In addition, Fondo works based on your own heart rate and/or power training zones.

The Fondo training program for the Via Francigena tour is 10-weeks long, and is specifically built based on the tour details in order the get you there in optimal form to enjoy every pedal stroke of the ride.

Via Francigena Tour With 3T and Fondo is 4 riding days and 4 nights, a gravel tour departing from Florence and arriving in Rome.

Day 1: Florence – Siena

We begin in Florence, right in the heart of Tuscany. The first day to Siena is a rolling feast of slopes with vines, olive groves and Tuscan farmhouses on hill tops. Wine lovers will recognise the names on sign posts as the Colli Fiorentini (hills of Florence) become the Colli Senesi (hills of Siena). After following the road out of the city, we are soon onto gravel and the famous Tuscan “strade bianche” – literally “white roads”. Although the race of the same name is relatively new (the first edition was in 2007) these roads are steeped in cycling history. We touch the territory of the Eroica, the Nova Eroica and the Giro as the tour progresses.

Day 2: Siena – Proceno

The second day starts south of Siena and we dive into the Val d’Orcia. Yesterday was recognisable as typical Tuscany but today is even more so; the hills are more spread out – though no less challenging! The land is more arable here with grasses and grains providing a contrast to the vineyards. This stage will bring us all the way to the end of Tuscany and into the northernmost limits of Lazio. Late in the day we pass by the symbolic border and soon after the Castle of Proceno appears on the hilltop: our target for the end of the longest day.

Day 3: Proceno – Sutri

Rising in the stillness of Proceno, today we will travel through an area far less known to tourists than yesterday. After just a few kilometres, the town of Aquapendente can provide a look at local life (and an extra coffee or two). From here, we are lake-bound: Lago di Bolsena will be a feature for the first half of today’s ride, as we approach it, skirt around its edges and stop at its shore to admire the view. Once we leave the lake behind, the next waypoint is Viterbo, after which there is one last climb to conquer before the third day is done.

Day 4: Sutri – Rome

Our final day: Rome. Before we reach the Eternal City we will pass by the waterfalls of Monte Gelato, confront the wall of Campagnano di Roma (280m at 16%!) and ride through the Veio Regional Park. As we join with the river Tiber, the Via Francigena becomes a bike path and so we pedal all the way to central Rome with just the final few metres on the road from under the shadow of the imposing the Castel Sant’Angelo to the awe-inspiring boulevard leading to Saint Peter’s Square.