Ah, Route 66…
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The Route 66 which from Chicago, Illinois, leads to Los Angeles, California, through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, is not just asphalt, but a collective story. A line of escape that runs between deserts, mountains and plains along isolated petrol stations and neon diners. Accomplice Hollywood, in the biker imagination it is the place of freedom without mediationof the journey as identity gesture. Yes, we have all dreamed of it and it is starting from this premise that a recurring question arises even among us Italian motorcyclists: Is there an Italian Route 66?
An Italian Route 66: can it be done?
The context, it must be said immediately, is profoundly different. The Italian geography is fragmented, distances are smaller and the historical road network is made up above all of regional and local connections and not, as in the States, on large transversal axes such as highways. Talking about a real Italian Route 66, strictly speaking, is therefore improper. This does not mean that there is a lack of roads capable of give a similar idea of travel: continuity of the asphalt, crossing of different territories, perhaps isolated, direct relationship with the landscape, remote inhabited centers… Of course, if the imagery you dream of is the stereotypical one of cacti in the middle of the desert style Easy Riderbetter to take a plane ticket directly to the States, but, if you think about it, they also exist in Italy places capable of inspiring a profound sense of freedom. Here are some “candidates” for our list.
SS 121 Palermo – Catania
One of the most cited is the SS 121 Palermo–Cataniaone of the few examples of transversal connection in Sicily. The state road connects the two main urban centers of the island crossing the hinterland, with a route that alternates agricultural areas, small towns and long extra-urban stretches. The overall length is less than 250 kmbut what makes it interesting is not so much the kilometric data as the function: exactly like Route 66, the SS 121 was certainly not born as a tourist roadbut rather as a necessary connection. The asphalt is not always perfect and the route – we must admit – is not always so scenic in the classic sense, but precisely for this reason it gives an authentic image of inland Sicily, the one far from the most popular coasts.
SS 125 Eastern Sardinia
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Let’s move to the other island. More solid from the point of view of continuity is the SS 125 Eastern Sardinia that runs along the eastern side of Sardinia for over 300 km. It is a very well known road among motorcyclists, including foreigners, because allows you to cross very different territories without interruption: coastal stretches, hilly areas, more inland and mountainous areas. It is not a single “postcard”, but a sequence of environments that progressively change. It is probably one of the candidates that best comes closest to the idea of a large ribbon of asphalt to be covered entirely through different regions (which we, on our journey, will pretend are states).
Rossi’s overview
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Another often cited candidate is the panoramic view between Tavullia and Carpegnabetween Marche and Romagna. It is a short route, less than 50 kmwhich certainly cannot compete in terms of length or strategic function. His symbolic weight, however, it is linked to motorcycling and the figure of Valentino Rossi, which has helped make it a destination pilgrimage for enthusiasts. We could say that the Italian fans of Easy Rider dream of Route 66 and the American fans of Valentino Rossi the Panoramica of Tavullia…
SS 163 Amalfi Coast
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It is impossible at this point not to mention the SS 163 of the Amalfi Coastone of the most iconic streets in Italy. The track runs for about 50 km along one of the best-known coastlines in the worldcrossing places such as Positano and Amalfi. From a landscape point of view there is very little to say, but its beauty and fame have partially compromised its usability: heavy traffic, Narrow roadways and limitations make it increasingly difficult to experience it as a road to travel on a motorbike. A real shame…
The “quasi” Route 66
Alongside these roads, there are also those that we could define as “almost Route 66”: routes much loved by motorcyclistsbut which do not meet the necessary criteria. The Strada della Forra, for example, is beautiful, spectacular and super loved by bikers (we told you about it Who), but really too short. The Futa Pass (we told you about it Who) is a historic crossing of great charm, but remains linked to a single pass.
The Via Emilia it has an enormous cultural weight, but today it is largely incorporated into an urban context which makes it distant from the idea of “on the road” travel. We would have liked to include them, but for our list, we must admit, they just don’t work. And you, on the other hand, have some “Homegrown” Route 66 to suggest?
About Route 66: Italy Coast to Coast: villages and curves to rediscover
