The Battle of Monte Cassino

The Battle of Monte Cassino, also known as the Battle for Rome, was a series of four military assaults by the Allies against Axis forces in Italy during the Italian Campaign of World War II. The objective was to break through the Winter Line and facilitate an advance towards Rome.

If you’re wondering what this battle has to do with a cycling route in this part of Northern Italy, I’m getting there. My good friend and colleague Italo is from Cassino. I think that’s one of the reasons we get along so well: I love meeting people who come from places I’ve always read about and studied in history books.

Italo is also known as the “Cassino Intercity Express” because of his fast and relentless way of riding: a real train charging through the heart of the night. One of the first times we went cycling together, he told me about a route he used to ride back home, before his teaching job brought him here to the North. It was a 120 km loop that he used to tackle with determination 4 climbs, just like the 4 assaults back in the WWII days: fast pace on the flats and four not-too-long climbs setting the rhythm, allowing him to maintain a consistently high speed.

So I thought of a route that could recreate his classic training loop. I designed it and mapped it out. A few weeks later we met again and I suggested it: “Let’s go ride that loop.” He looked at me and said, “Are you sure? Because this is going to turn into a battle.” And it did.

120 km of all-out battle — we fought it out like the Allied forces during those three days  and the 4 assaults to  devastating days that destroyed Italo’s hometown.

And it’s with that same fiery mood — beast mode ON — that this ride must be tackled if you want to enjoy it to the fullest. Otherwise, it’s actually quite simple: 20 fast kilometers heading east toward the lake; at Grumello the first climb, 4 km up to Monte di Grumello; descent down to Sarnico on the lakeshore; another 10 flat kilometers along the water to Tavernola and boom — 10 more very rideable kilometers completing the Vigolo–Parzanica loop (from here you get the best panoramic views of the stunning Lake Sebino).

A crazy fast descent brings you back to the lakeside road, then another 10 flat kilometers to Riva di Solto where the third climb begins: boom — 3 km up to Solto Collina. Another fast descent to Endine and boom — 5 more kilometers climbing to Ranzanico, then on toward the Val Rossa pass.

From there, the final 26 km take you back to Bergamo: 6 downhill and 20 slightly descending flats. And that’s where Italo’s beast-mode Intercity comes alive. Like a train that absolutely has to arrive on time — don’t get distracted, because if you lose his wheel, you’re never making it home.