According to motorcycling myth and legend, two roads near the Ducati factory in Bologna – the Passo della Raticosa and Passo della Futa – are part of the passion behind the Ducati Multistrada.
To refer to these roads as nice, engaging or even delightful would be an injustice to these Italian masterpieces. With these roads on your doorstep, I can understand why Ducati built and continue to evolve the Multistrada.
The Italians have a name for the continual improvement of life, “Il Dolce Vita”. More precisely, I’m told the translation isn’t merely “the good life” but represents the constant pursuit of pleasure and happiness. With each iteration, it should improve and become a more joyous experience than the last time.
I’ll concede that including the Multistrada as part of Il Dolce Vita is a subjective delight when compared to wine, food and sunshine, but how many other motorcycles are there with a 17-inch front wheel, sports bike performance, all the creature comforts and an adventure bike riding position?
I’m certain the Ducati Multistrada was tested in many other places as well but just look at these two roads. Whatever bike you ride, surely, you’re tempted.
I have found them too much to resist and plan to sample their delights later this year (2023), and assuming I don’t get lost in the passion of the moment, I’ll add them to the Roads to Ride collection.
Until then – Download – Ride – Enjoy. What could possibly go wrong?
Image Credit: Ruben Hanssen
Absolutely Not The
Ducati Multistrada Test Route
Points To
Ponder
The 90-mile loop begins a few miles west of Imola in Castel San Pietro Terme, where you turn south onto the SP21 Strada Provinciale Val Sillaro.
The road twists and turns crossing the river Sillaro a few times as you head south towards Sassoleone.
After 19 miles, you turn left onto the SP15, heading for Castel del Rio, where you pick up the SP610 and head towards Firenzuola and the turning point for the SP116.
Follow the SP116 until it ends at the junction with the SS65, and then turn right.
The SS65 is a 30-plus-mile-long stretch of road that will take you north to Pianoro just south of Bologna.
After a few miles through the countryside, the final six miles are through Bologna.
Along the route, there is a height change of around a thousand meters (3,300 feet), several small towns, an abundance of sights to stop at and more bends than I could count.
All of which accounts for the estimated time for the route of two and half hours (35MPH!), and no that isn’t a challenge.
The destination is the Ducati Factory Outlet and Café to the north-west side of the city, which is close to major roads in all directions.
