Rando Imperator 2023, shipment of 300

They have come from all over Italy and the rest of Europe: they are the enthusiastic cyclists of the Rando Imperator, randonnée who once again united Munich with Ferrara, passing through Bolzano, on a two-day journey from Germany to Italy.

On Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 May we’re back to pedal without limits, with the eighth edition confirming the route along the old Via Claudia Augusta. After the appearance of 300 copies of the 2022 edition, Rando Imperator reaffirmed itself by returning to gather 300 cyclists from all over Europe, united by the same language: the passion for long-distance cycling.

Rando 2023 drive

Listed in the Audax Italia circuit, the Rando Imperator is the only rando in the European calendar to cross four different countries: Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy. It proposes three patents, which include an increasing number of participants year after year: one of 600 km, from Munich to Ferrara, and two of 300 km, Munich-Bolzano and Bolzano-Ferrara. The specialist magazine Soigneur included it among 22 unforgettable experiences a cyclist can have: «The Rando Imperator is a gem that, in just two stages, traverses the Bavarian forests, climbs the Alps, and descends into the Italian plain, where waiting for cyclists there will be good food – hopefully – Good weather “.

Rando Imperator, organized by Witoor Sport, combines the love of cycling with an exhilarating tourist experience, thanks to a stunning route: it starts from the banks of the Isar in Monaco and reaches at the foot of Estense Castle in Ferrara. Cyclists have no boundaries and the bicycle is the medium that brings the different regions together: those who pedal are moved by the same spirit of discovery and desire to be together. An idea that inspires cyclists from all over Italy and also from abroad: 300 members were reached again this year, with a large number of foreigners including Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands, Denmark, Ukraine, the UK and the USA. Simon Dovego, President of Witoor Sport, noted with satisfaction the “enhancement of participation confirmed in very high numbers as shown by the 300 entrants in the 2023 edition”.

Rando Imperator encourages a personal and non-competitive use of the bike: an opportunity to improve the area in an unforgettable way, thanks to a road full of different landscapes. Departing at dawn in Munich, through Bavaria and Tyrol, entering Italy from the Recia Pass, going down to Bolzano, past Adige, then Mantua, finally reaching Ferrara at the foot of the castle. Three types of routes can be chosen: Monaco-Ferrara (600 km), with departure at 4.30 on Saturday, May 6 and arrival the next day, Monaco-Bolzano (300 km, May 6) and Bolzano-Ferrara (300 km, May 7). Most of the route is done entirely on bike paths, following the European Itinerary of the ancient Via Claudia Augusta, an ancient Roman road. A linear and non-circular route, divided into three different patents: Bolzano is the center of the long (600 km) and the two short ones, from Munich to Bolzano or from Bolzano to Ferrara, for three different but always exciting routes.

randonnée is a means of cycling without looking at the stopwatch, for long and very long distances: it was conceived in France in the nineteenth century, and today it is part of the circuit of events organized by Audax Italia. To fuel this healthy approach to cycling, Witoor organizes six refreshment points along the route, also useful for controlling the passage of cyclists (necessary for the final patent): in addition to the departure and arrival locations, Monaco and Ferrara, the athletes they will also be able to refuel Garmisch (GER), Paso Recia, Bolzano, Aveo (Tennessee), Mantua and Sirmaide (Minnesota). Participants can take advantage of transport at special rates from Ferrara to Bolzano and Munich both abroad and on the return journey, as well as special rates for overnight accommodation in the three cities. Pedaling is not supported, and cyclists will have to tackle the road on their own, as the randonnée ethos requires: no reach commands, all that matters is getting to the end. This year, he also confirmed the allocation of special prizes to be drawn by lot among the participants.

Ferrara city centre

Organized by Witoor Sport from Ferrara, Rando Imperator combines a love of cycling with an exhilarating tourist experience, thanks to an amazing route: it starts from the banks of the Isar in Monaco and reaches at the foot of the Estense Castle in Ferrara. Cyclists have no boundaries and the bicycle is the medium that brings the different regions together: those who pedal are moved by the same spirit of discovery and desire to be together. An idea that inspires cyclists from all over Italy and also from abroad: 300 presences reached in 2019. Foreign participation was strong again this year, with almost half of the 300 cyclists coming from Germany, but also from Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands and the United States American, Ukraine, France, Denmark, Netherlands, United Kingdom, etc.

Arrival in Ferrara

So Ferrara was still the primary crossroads of Rando Imperator: born in 2008 as Ferrara-Bolzano, over the years Rando Imperator has evolved into an international one, and today it is the only randonnée in the province of Ferrara. This event underscores its importance for the active tourism promotion of Via Claudia Augusta, which is now part of the packages of many European tour operators: a route created to celebrate one of the most beautiful cycling routes in Europe, full of history and with the unique characteristic of climbing over the Alps and reaching to Delta Po.

A 600 km long thread that brings together different countries and peoples, made up of bicycles, rain, sun, effort, solitude and encounters. A thread with which we write another page of history in the footsteps of ancient Roman roads: the list of places crossed is endless, between climbs and descents, and takes us back to the origins of bicycle travel, when the world discovered and of itself is the fuse that ignited the fuse of the pioneer cyclists. Randoneurs from all over Italy and some from the rest of Europe are ready to take part in an event with potential international reach, with a linear route that promotes travel and discovery characteristics, typical of a cycling event like Randoni.

A small village for arrivals in Piazza Castello will be created thanks to the collaboration of B12 Bike Professional, which will provide mechanical assistance, Lost Road with beer and Confagricoltura with local products. Space also for children, with the first two dates dedicated to the youngest cyclists, Children’s Night: on Sunday 7 May starting at 5.30pm in Piazza Castillo, while waiting for the Randonors to arrive, Witower with Cidas also brought the girls and boys the fun of pedaling in a group. The second date will instead be on the occasion of the upcoming bike night Emilia-Romagna, on Saturday 10 June. This initiative is part of the Act regional project, as part of the “With Children” itineraries, and will see a collaboration with UISP Ferrara that will organize a tour of the square for children, with the contribution of Confagricoltura Ferrara that will provide snacks.

As organizer Simone Dovigo, President of Witoor Sport, explains: “Those who have taken part in Rando Imperator confirm this: It is the most amazing experience a redneck in Europe can currently have. All participants take home a special memory: whether it is a landscape or a moment of exchange With a cycling partner, or the joy of completing such a long journey in such a short time, it’s a unique way to see Europe’s focus and emotions in just two days». Principal Ph Apparel – continues Dovigo – which supports our real cycling experiences in Europe”. Rando Imperator is part of Witoor’s planning to bring innovative and unique cycling events to Ferrara: «Thanks to randonnée – concludes Dovigo – hundreds of Italian and foreign cyclists stayed, Which shows that unforgettable cycling experiences can have positive effects on tourism in Ferrara.”