Route 50 MTB

The Granfondo That Shapes the Fabriano Apennines

Some races are run, and some are lived: Route 50 belongs to the latter category. Every September, the event brings hundreds of bikers along the trails and off-road paths and single tracks surrounding Fabriano, the city of paper in the province of Ancona, in the heart of the Marche region. The name refers to the queen course, fifty kilometers that climb the Marche Apennines through woods, meadows, technical climbs, and fast descents, in what the organizers like to call an authentic natural bike park.

Two Routes, One Passion

The race is designed for both the fittest competitors and those seeking a challenging but achievable adventure. The long route measures approximately 50 km with 1600 meters of elevation gain, while the short route offers 30 km and 900 meters of elevation gain. Both alternate natural terrain, technical ground, and flowing sections, offering glimpses of the hills and ridges that divide the Marche from Umbria. The race is open to both traditional mountain bikes and e-bikes, a sign of an event that looks to the future of off-road cycling.

An Event on Major Circuits

Route 50 is not an isolated event: it is a stage of the Appennino Superbike, a prestigious national circuit of marathon races, and of the Bike Tour Coppa Marche, as well as being part of the Contest 360°. This positioning attracts athletes from all over Italy to Fabriano, turning race day into a showcase for the territory. The organization is passionately handled by A.S.D. Pedale Stracco Fabriano, a cycling club rooted in the municipality, with the support of sponsors and the local administration.

Sport, Hospitality, and Celebration

Those who arrive in Fabriano find much more than just a starting line: ample parking, changing rooms, showers, bike washing facilities, chip timing, medical, and mechanical assistance along the route. There are also aid stations and a green zone during the race, while upon return, the day concludes with the classic pasta party and the awards ceremony, a convivial moment that brings together competitors, companions, and volunteers. It is in this blend of competition and hospitality that Route 50 has built its identity.

Cycling in the City of Paper

Participating in Route 50 also means discovering Fabriano, a UNESCO Creative City famous worldwide for its paper production and its medieval historic center. After the effort on the pedals, the town offers squares, palaces, and a Marche gastronomic tradition that is worth a stop. The race thus becomes the perfect opportunity to combine the passion for mountain biking with the discovery of an authentic corner of the Marche hinterland.