I would like to hear from someone who has actually bicycled the Appian Way. I've located a bicycle rental place near the Colloseo, and I know how to get to Via Appia Antica (thru the Porta di San Sebastiano). Would it be too strenuous to make it to Castel Gandolfo and back?
I saw that narrow stretch of road, on Google Earth, with the high walls and wondered about that, but I'm so pumped about bicycling the Appian road I kinda put it out of my mind. Thanks
Not particularly, it is pretty flat. BUT only do it on Sunday when traffic is restricted, somewhat, otherwise it borders on having a death wish.
Would not start at Porta Sebastiano, even ON a Sunday. Start at Casa Dell Appia instead, there are bikes to rent there also. The reason is because the first section of the Appian is a trough with 12 foot high walls on either side and there is no room to get out of the way of the huge motor couches that run. People also have weddings so traffic is always still there even with the limited access on Sundays.
There is miles of appian way through the arch with no traffic at all. It's pedestrian and bike only. My daughter and I biked it all day. The problem is tht it is the only roman road so it's huge cobblestone type affair, but there are paths on both sides for biking. It was marvelous. No cars. Fantastic scenery. Check this out further.