In the Footsteps of Francesco E Bike Tour from Perugia to Assisi

We will start directly from the Renty Bike headquarters in Via Manzoni 260, where after a brief briefing and the delivery of the latest generation of E-bikes, we will immediately leave behind the urban traffic. We will enter the Green Path, an oasis of peace that runs along the banks of the Tiber river: here the ride is gentle, immersed in the silence of nature and in the shade of ancient trees, ideal for warming your muscles in total relaxation.

We will continue the journey through the valley towards Bastia Umbra, along only secondary roads, neighborhoods and country paths far from the busy routes. This is the real Umbria: we will ride through cultivated fields and vineyards, enjoying an absolute tranquility that allows you to appreciate every detail of the rural landscape.

Leaving the Basilica, we will enter the beating heart of Assisi, a maze of medieval alleys and pink stones that seem to stand still in time. We will walk along Via San Francesco to reach Piazza del Comune, the center of city life where the majestic Temple of Minerva stands out, a perfectly preserved Roman jewel. The tour will visit the New Church, built on Francis' father's house, and the Oratory of San Francesco Piccolino, where tradition has it that the Saint was born. We will then climb to the Cathedral of San Rufino, an important example of Umbrian Romanesque and the place where Francis and Clare were baptized. There will be a stop at the Basilica of Santa Chiara, which houses the Crucifix of San Damiano who spoke to the Saint. Every corner of this historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, tells the story of a man who changed the world, making the tribute for the 800 years since his death a living and profound experience.

Before starting the return, we will descend slightly outside the walls to visit the Sanctuary of San Damiano, one of the most intimate and authentic places of Franciscanism. In this place full of silence and spirituality, Francis listened to the voice of the Crucified One who told him: “Go and repair my house”. We will walk in the sixteenth-century cloister and visit the small dormitory where Santa Chiara lived and died. In this garden, despite suffering from the disease, the Saint composed the famous Canticle of Creatures, the first great work of Italian literature and testament to his love for creation. On the occasion of the 800th anniversary of his death, breathing the atmosphere of St Damian allows us to deeply connect with the message of humility and peace that Francis left to the world. A last regenerating stop before climbing back in the saddle towards Ponte San Giovanni.

The return journey from Assisi to the Renty Bike headquarters will be an unforgettable visual experience. Leaving behind the city walls, we will initially enjoy a breathtaking view that sweeps across the Umbrian Valley, with vineyards and olive groves tinged with gold in the sun. Once we reach the plain, the perspective turns around giving us one of the most iconic views of the region: we will ride looking back towards the majesty of Assisi that seems set in the rock, dominated by the imposing Listing of Mount Subasio. From this privileged position, you can admire the entire extension of the Sacred Convent and the Rocca Maggiore, a view that allows you to capture the grandeur of the place just visited in the context of its uncontaminated nature. The assisted ride will make the return to Ponte San Giovanni smooth and pleasant, allowing you to fill your eyes with beauty and your heart with serenity before concluding the adventure.