I spent a weekend with a special tribe. The name, in this case more than ever, fully reflects what Augh! represents and embodies: a unique, unsupported bikepacking event that goes far beyond just a GPS track and a route.
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It is difficult to describe in just a few lines what Augh! Umbria Bikepacking really is—the gravel and unsupported event winding through the hills of Foligno that I took part in during the first weekend of July, but it's worth a try.
Because while on one hand, competitiveness is trying to creep into the bikepacking and gravel worlds like a weed invading everything, and on the other hand, unsupported events are turning into mere paid sharing of GPS tracks, Augh! represents an oasis of decompression that must be preserved and cherished.
At the Center of Everything: The Bicycle
Augh! is first and foremost about bikes.
Because she must always and in any case be at the center, with her thousands of nuances but with her inevitably empathetic and unifying spirit.
Whether it's a latest-generation gravel bike, a full-suspension MTB, or a steel touring bike set up for the occasion, the ride becomes the excuse to pedal, explore, and connect. There is a track to follow and the certainty that along that route made of dirt roads and never-too-technical gravel, you will never be alone.
Augh! is about the territory.
The Umbria you don't expect, the one that has rightly self-defined as the Green Heart of Italy. That natural, sinuous heart of deep Umbria, made of wheat fields swaying in the wind and stretches of radiant sunflowers.
Augh! 2026: A Calumet for Me, Peyote for the Tough Ones
The tracks designed by the guys from Umbria Bikepacking climb up perfect white roads that cut through centuries-old olive groves and suddenly plunge into the cool shade of beech forests.
There were two tracks planned: Peyote and Calumet. The first was for more ambitious riders, featuring slightly more technical sections and optional extra "Shaman" detours to challenge oneself even further. The second was more approachable but still packed with plenty of climbs and descents, reaching 150 km and 3,200 m of elevation gain over two days.
Want to guess which one I chose? Of course, Calumet, to go slow and enjoy the scenery without pushing myself into the red. And I must say, I didn't regret it at all. It is a doable route for anyone with a bit of training, but not to be underestimated. There are no technical sections but, especially on the first day, the meters of elevation gain will make themselves felt by the end.
This year's route started from Foligno, a small town I didn't know, which offers beautiful hidden corners just waiting to be photographed. In reality, Augh! begins as early as Friday, with a dinner at Palazzo Candiotti that immediately sets the tone for the weekend's atmosphere: celebration, togetherness, and friendship are the watchwords.
Returning to the ride, you leave Foligno to cross the countryside towards Spello, and after riding through the cobblestone streets of this beautiful medieval village, you climb towards Mount Subasio. While the Peyote route continues uphill, we on the Calumet route head north, climbing to the foot of Colle Rota before plunging down to the banks of the Topino River with a fun, switchback descent.
After crossing the Via Flaminia, you follow the Valtopina along the hillside almost to Nocera Umbra, from where you climb up to Colle Croce—but not before stopping at the refreshment point, where prosciutto, cheese, pasta, and fruit offer an unexpected culinary break.
The Colfiorito plain treats you to postcard landscapes and white roads just waiting to be pedaled before tackling the final effort toward Popola.
The village with its wonders awaits us after 75 km and more than 1,800 m of elevation gain!
In the morning, after a gargantuan dinner, a night in a tent in the cool air (the camp is at 900 m), and a more than generous breakfast, we set off again... immediately uphill!
On paper, the second day's route was supposed to be more manageable than the first, and indeed, at the end of the day, we had a bit more energy than on Saturday. However, the initial climb and, shortly after, the one to Cammoro, really made us sweat. Cammoro is a tiny village of 17 inhabitants, beautifully clinging to the slope of the mountain of the same name.
The dirt road that continues at high altitude gives us idyllic landscapes and glimpses of the distant Sibillini Mountains, before descending towards today's refreshment stop, where I even treat myself to a beer and a plate of gnocchi!
The final effort leads toward the Cancelli area, which is well-suited for my pace and my rig (a luxury "heavy gate" though, my Longitude, which I won't be parting with anytime soon!). From here, it's a pure dive on asphalt down to the scorching lower altitudes of the Umbrian Valley and Sant'Eraclio, just two pedal strokes away from Foligno. The 63 km with 1,200 m of elevation gain felt much easier than reality this time around.
The Taste of Sharing (and Local Products)
If the effort required by this Umbria Bikepacking route is great, the reward is even greater.
Augh! is about food.
The guys from Umbria Bikepacking didn't just map out a route: they literally pampered us from start to finish.
Lunches, dinners, and aperitifs weren't just moments to refuel, but veritable showcases dedicated to local excellence and products. Between a traditional dish, a glass of wine, good beer, and cold drinks, the tables at the camp and the intermediate refreshment stops transformed into places where fatigue melted away, giving room to laughter and stories of the day.
The Spirit of the Tribe: Getting Lost is an Opportunity
Augh! is a tribe.
The tribe of riders who don't turn on their GPS to check times or shave off seconds, but only to make sure they don't completely lose the way.
And the most beautiful thing? If they do take a wrong turn, they are actually happy about it. Because for this tribe, a mistake is not a failure but the beginning of a new exploration—the perfect excuse to discover new paths and extend by a few kilometers a journey you wish would never end.
Saturday night at the camp, with the colorful tents pitched close to one another under the Umbrian sky, is the ultimate expression of this philosophy. We gather, exchange packing tips, and talk about past and future trips, feeling part of something big.
Putting the Person at the Center
Ultimately, Augh! Umbria Bikepacking is a genuine, authentic event where the person is constantly placed at the center.
Everything else—which is also extraordinary—is a wonderful backdrop made of untouched nature, attention to detail, and a passion for pedaling. If you are looking for a race against the clock, you are in the wrong place. But if you are looking for a weekend capable of regenerating your soul and sending you home with new friends and eyes filled with beauty, well... pack your bags, because the Augh! tribe is waiting for you at the next edition.
