Ecological Bike Ride - Two Wheels of Solidarity

A Village Tradition of Almost Forty Years

The Ecological Bike Ride - Two Wheels of Solidarity is one of the most established events in Villa Musone, the plain-lying hamlet of the Municipality of Loreto, in the province of Ancona (Marche). For decades, it has been organized by the Francesco Baldoni ACLI Circle, which has made it its flagship initiative: in 2026, it will reach its thirty-ninth edition, a sign of rare continuity for an event entirely built on volunteer work.

This is not a race or a cycling competition: it is a collective, slow, and inclusive bike ride, designed to bring the village together on two wheels for a festive morning. The name says it all: "ecological," because it celebrates gentle mobility and respect for the territory; "solidarity," because the proceeds are donated each year to a charitable cause chosen by the Circle.

The Route and Atmosphere

The route is a loop of about 20 kilometers, completely flat, winding through the countryside crossed by the Musone river, at the foot of the Loreto hill. The ease of the route is intentional: it allows children, families, and occasional cyclists to participate without athletic preparation. About halfway through, there is a stop with a refreshment point, traditionally at the Villino di Campocavallo, where Holy Mass is also celebrated — a detail that recalls the Christian roots of the organizing ACLI Circle.

Environment and Solidarity

The Ecological Bike Ride has always been much more than a bike ride. The Francesco Baldoni Circle pairs it with environmental awareness initiatives (respect for the territory, cap collection, defense of the Musone agricultural landscape) and, above all, uses it as a fundraising tool. Over the years, the proceeds have supported various projects: from the construction of a school in Juba, South Sudan, to associations in the Marche region. It is this dual nature — ecological and charitable — that makes the event a fixture in the calendar of Villa Musone and the entire Municipality of Loreto.

Who is it for

• Families with children (children under 10 accompanied by a family member)
• Amateur and occasional cyclists, no training required
• Anyone who wants to enjoy a morning outdoors while supporting a good cause

Included in the broader program of early summer events in Loreto, the Villa Musone Ecological Bike Ride is proof that, even in a small hamlet, community spirit can keep a community alive around shared values.