For this second event of the season we wanted to return to the Ligurian Apennines, but this year planning departure and arrival on the Eastern Riviera, aiming to enjoy some Ligurian spring weather.
The itinerary included a good part of roads never traveled by Special Stages, as well as some already traveled many years ago.

THE TOUR

The problem of planning the departure and arrival of an event in Liguria is finding a structure with enough space to accommodate all the cars that usually participate in our events. On this occasion, however, we found the Cantina Bisson, also known as the Cantina degli Abissi, famous for the production of Abissi sparkling wine which is aged on the seabed in front of Sestri Levante.

The winery, which is surrounded by vineyards that almost make you imagine being in a place totally different from what you normally expect from Liguria, has a modern structure also suitable for hosting events, thanks - among other things - to the large internal parking.
As always, after the registration of all the participants and the tasty breakfast which included the traditional Ligurian focaccia, we are ready to leave for this new 180 km Tour.

We leave the Bisson winery to cross the center of Sestri Levante and reach Lavagna along the Aurelia along the sea on what, at least for the temperature, does not seem like a morning at the end of April but more like February.
At Lavagna we cross the center to head inland along the SS225. The road is quite busy and passes through numerous residential areas which forces us to maintain a calm pace, at least up to Cicagna where we leave the main road in the direction of Passo della Scoglina on the SP23.

The route is very tortuous, one curve after another and with excellent asphalt. Wide enough to drive safely but with straights so short that it is almost impossible to overtake if you encounter cars that leave no room.
Once you reach the pass you go down onto what is practically a plateau, with a fast road that runs in a wide valley, with the sky which, unfortunately, has now become cloudy.

Once in Parazzuolo we take the SS586 in the direction of Parma. A short transfer on a fast stretch, again free of traffic, up to Rezzoaglio where we start climbing again along the SS654. The road is once again in good condition, wide and full of curves which slowly climbs up to Santo Stefano d'Aveto.
First stop of the day in the small town where we arrive around 1pm. We have the reserved square, sharing it with some rally cars that are testing on a nearby road, right in front of the imposing façade of the Malaspina Castle.

The forecast here is not the best, precipitation is expected in the afternoon, and not just rain. In fact, the plummeting temperatures also threaten snow, but for the moment the weather is holding out and, apart from a few fine drops of water, we are able to enjoy the break.

At 2.00 pm we resume the Tour, towards Passo del Tomarlo!
With the exception of a few bends with ruined asphalt just outside the town, the road continues to be fantastic.

Immediately after the pass we turn onto the SP81 towards Bedonia. A very fast and downhill stretch with some depressions that you need to pay attention to.
The road continues becoming more tortuous, with some stretches a little narrower in correspondence with the few inhabited centers through which we pass, such as Ponteceno, Castagna and Bedonia, up to Tarsogno, where we begin the short climb towards the Centocroci Pass in the direction of Varese Ligurian.

Here we make a short stop to gather all the participants before leaving for the last stage of this Tour.
At San Pietro Vara we turn onto the SP566 in the direction of La Spezia. Here the much feared rain arrives, but fortunately it accompanies us for a few kilometers, among other things in a transfer section.
At Carrodano we turn again onto the SS1, the Aurelia, which will bring us to the end of the Tour, taking us back to Sestri Levante via the Bracco Pass.

This stretch is wonderful, but much traveled especially by motorcyclists, and for this reason we find numerous police and Carabinieri cars. The road, however, is truly beautiful, and once again traffic-free. The sun has also returned to shine in the sky, accompanying us until we return to the Bisson winery.
Upon arrival we park the cars along a charming road between vineyards and olive trees and then reach the cellar vault, where in a beautiful atmosphere we end this day with an elegant and tasty aperitif.

This tour also ends with the participants satisfied with the beautiful roads traveled, with a tour that took place perfectly and without any hitches.
As always, we thank all the participants who made this event possible and the Bisson Winery for their hospitality and quality of service.