IO DONO 2023 returns with the 8th edition!

In this edition, the route of about 65 KM, is characterized by the passage in the foothills municipalities of chestnuts and truffles (Montella and Bagnoli) to immerse itself after facing the queen of the Irpine climbs in the natural spectacle of the Picentini Mountains, in the stretch that leads from Lake Laceno to Gavitoni: for this reason the Italian Cycling Federation in including the event in its events, has also been defined Ecological Pedaling.

Let’s move on to the more organizational aspects:

As always, the bike-pedal will start from Lioni at 9:30 a.m., and after passing in front of the Goleto Abbey and traveling 22Km will arrive in Cassano Irpino.

That of Cassano Irpino, a village among the most beautiful and evocative of Irpinia and Italy, is one of the most beloved stages for IO DONO fans, for the beauty of the place, but especially for the spirit and warm and festive welcome that always the Administration and citizens have reserved for IO DONO.

From Cassano it will proceed to Montella, where it will arrive at 12:40 p.m. after traveling about 8 kilometers, skirting the route of the historic AVELLINO- ROCCHETTA S.A. railway and the bed of the Calore River.

In Montella, IO DONO is expected after having held there on April 1 of this year, the presentation of the bicycle ride with an important and touching initiative of debate and discussion on the theme of Organ Donations and Rare Diseases.

At the Montella stop, the Irpinian associations of A.N.P.A.S. and Misericordia, which have always been close to IO DONO, will be honored, allowing the event to take place with their active presence.

Traveling the roads of the Giro D’Italia 2023, from Montella the group of cyclists will move to Bagnoli irpino where it will arrive at 14:20, in Piazza di Capua, for a brief stop, organizing the climb to the queen of the Irpinian climbs: we will set out all together, at 14.50 at a time of Lake Laceno, facing the climb “”PANTANI””, with stretches marked by slopes between 16 and 22%.

If the champions of cycling have succeeded, they will succeed all together, the witnesses of IO DONO: in our case to dominate will not be agonism, but solidarity. The strongest do not win, they will support those who will need help.

As always, the principle applies: we all start together and we all arrive together.

Of course, as always, shuttles will be following the group to welcome and support those who prefer to use them.

At Lago Laceno, where the arrival is scheduled for 4 p.m., the longest stop will be made to recover energy and celebrate nature and the mountains of Irpinia.

At 5 p.m., we will resume pedaling, for the stretch immersed in the chestnut and beech woods of the Picentini Mountains, at a time of the fountains of GAVITONI, where we will arrive at 5:50 p.m. after having descended the highest point of the route – which from this year we will call QUOTA PANTANI – located at m. 1270, much of the stretch will be a gentle descent.

It will be a mountainous route, where it will be necessary to pay attention to the road, at times Eroica-like, but on the other hand we will breathe oxygen at the top of our lungs, smell the odors of herbs and aromatic plants, meet grazing herds and quench our thirst with pristine waters.

From Gavitoni, we will set off again at 6:30 p.m., to ride all the way down the final 9 kilometers, which will take us at 7 p.m. to Lioni, in Piazza San Rocco, for the festive and, we hope to succeed, particularly exciting arrival.

In the table and chart are all the details of the route.

Registration for the event is free, and meals and drinks will be offered to all participants during the stop at the various stages.