There is a race that took place only four times in history: in 1918, 1919, 1938 and 1949. A short stages organized by the newspaper Il Mattino di Napoli which aroused some enthusiasm at the time and led to the success of the interesting runners. It took place entirely in the regions of Southern Italy and lapped the coasts of Adriatic, Ionian and Tyrrhenian Sea took the name of “Giro dei Tre Mari”. The competition of the Giro d’Italia (born a handful of years before and then interrupted by the Great War) and the evolution of the international cycling calendar with the affirmation of the Tour de France prevented the continuation and definitive affirmation.
There is a new and original way of “pedaling history and discovering Italy” introduced for about a decade from the association La Storia by bike. A form of cycle tourism capable of combining the sports activity of the participants with the well -being of the person by traveling consciously on the streets of the Belpaese to discover their most fascinating places and move in full sustainable style in the environment and in nature.
There are a hundred friends of friends, bicycle enthusiasts and coming from all over Italy, who from time to time, adhering to new paths and projects, accept the challenge and get involved to discover historical places and characters, cross territories with great social and identity values, to live an experience that stimulates the rediscovery of the events and the anelites who have made our country great.
The new adventure began on 24 May last from Polignano a Mare and ended today in Gioia Tauro, following an itinerary that will allow us to touch the coasts of the three seas (such as the epic race … unfinished!) To discover well -known and unpublished locations, to the meeting with living and hospitable communities, to the affirmation of bonds of friendship capable of lasting over time.
An original route of seven stages that crossed Puglia, Basilicata and Calabria to celebrate one of the most famous songs in the world (in Polignano a Mare), go into that paradise of nature represented by Pino di Lenne, rediscover the glories of Magna Grecia (in Policoro, Metaponto and Sibari), immerse yourself in the Arbëreshë culture in San Demetrio Corone, remembering the figure and commitment. Santelli in Cosenza, satisfying beauty to Amantea, Tropea, Capo Vaticano and every village of the coast of the gods, getting excited to the monument dedicated to cyclists in Lamezia Terme, reach Gioia Tauro with its ancient vestiges linked to the culture of the sea.
“The bicycle – underlines the president of La Storia by bike, Michelino Davico – is an incredible medium, capable of transforming cyclists into modern wayfarers, lovers of adventure and knowledge. In the saddle and in the group one becomes one, social barriers are reduced and a form of solidarity is born that allows each one to become help and support for the other, united in achieving a common goal that is the final mèta. voyage”.
“I have to thank all our institutional partners, the traffic police who accompanies us and invites us to respect the rules of road traffic, the superintendencies to the cultural heritage of Basilicata and Calabria, the mayors and authorities who will welcome us, the associations and all those who somehow have been and will be involved by the passage of our colorful caravan”.
The seas of the South and the territories that are on their banks represent an incredible cultural heritage. We will meet witnesses and protagonists of events that are lost over time, we will learn about stories and legends that not everyone knows, we will deepen our awareness of belonging to an incredible country, a treasure chest of ancient and new treasures that every time manages to surprise us with a monument, a glimpse, a story, a recipe. Together, in a group, taking the time you need.
“The positive experience of previous editions – adds Davico – authorizes to look at this as a memorable edition: sport, culture and solidarity, environment and well -being are the opportunity for us to discover enchanting places, meet passionate people and help keep alive the memory of a past that has marked our present, to spread the culture of memory and peace, to promote sustainable tourism in contact with the landscape and nature, to encourage aggregation and exchange. intergenerational “.
The “race of the three seas”, from Polignano a Mare to Gioia Tauro is a value project, which is part of a large design framework aimed at creating innovative initiatives that combine sports, environmental awareness and enhancement of cultural heritage, exploiting the bicycle as a tool for well -being and sustainable mobility, based on the concept of One Health, recognized by the Ministry of Health and by the European Commission, made in collaboration, with: Lilt – Lilt – For the fight against the tumor, Polytechnic of Turin, Fnob-National Federation of Order of Biologists, Italian Touring Club and other political-administrative and cultural institutions of the country who have contributed to enriching the calendar of events and events scheduled. The tour takes advantage of the assistance of the state police and takes place under the auspices of the Italian Cycling Federation and Coni.