Monte Pino and the Roman aqueduct

While we were out in Sardinia, we were due to join the first Roamer Rendezvous, an organised bikepacking event over three days hosted by Pannier.cc, Fizik and Pedaled. Unfortunately, a freak storm warning meant that the event was cancelled at the last minute, but we were still treated to an unofficial ride out with some of the organisers, heading up towards Monte Pino.

This Tour is based on that brilliant route up into the mountains, very close to Olbia, with a diversion to visit the ruins of the Roman aqueduct on the return to the city.

The road out of Olbia is fairly quiet, and perhaps the best exit we found. After turning right off the SP38, you start to climb on tarmac, quickly gaining height without any gruelling gradients. A first descent gives you a taste of what’s to come, before the big climb of the ride.

Buckle up, because this is a tough one. Not only do the gradients reach up to 13% as you zig-zag your way up the mountain, but the surface also makes things challenging. The wide dirt road is more sand than rock, so you have to constantly scan ahead to find the parts that will give you traction.

This keeps your mind occupied though, and you’ll be glad of the effort when you ride beside the mighty stone formations near the top and come to the descending later.

After a short descent, climb to the highest point as you pass between high peaks. A long and varied descent awaits, but take care as it can be quite sandy and loose in places on this side too.

You rejoin tarmac for sections before reaching the main road for a short stint near the quarry. Veer off to the left to follow some lovely back lanes through the countryside, then heading south back to Olbia.

Do take the time to visit the old Roman ruins of the aqueduct on the outskirts of Olbia, and marvel at the size of the roadside cacti there too!