Route Description

Departure: Morgano di Badoere

Midnight. The witching hour, the sleepless owls, and cyclists thinking: “Why can’t I sleep like a normal person?” We depart from Morgano di Badoere, with the Roundabout looking at us, illuminated as if asking: “Are you sure about this?” We, of course, are. Or at least we pretend to be.

First section: The Sile Park and Girasile

Cycling along the Sile River at night is like being in a nature documentary, except you’re the prey. Mosquitoes organize their annual gathering, but we fight back with repellent spray and determined pedaling. The river is peaceful, fireflies put on a light show, and the owls judge us from above with superior expressions.

The Muson dei Sassi Cycle Path: Indiana Jones, cyclist edition

If you like straight and monotonous cycle paths, the Muson dei Sassi is for you. A straight line drawn along the embankment, heading towards the Pedemontana hills lit by the moon, where the GPS is almost useless. Every now and then, a mysterious shadow: is it a rabbit, a cat, or your adventure buddy who took a wrong shortcut?

Castelfranco Veneto: Medieval walls and artistic spirits

We arrive at Castelfranco, where the orange-lit walls seem to say: “Welcome, we’ve been waiting for you…” Giorgione’s statue gazes at us with a puzzled look, wondering why anyone would be cycling at this hour. We quickly take a photo and move on before it asks us to explain.

The Ezzelini Path and Asolo: The ascent of awareness

Pedaling along the Ezzelini Path, fatigue starts to set in. This is when we begin negotiating with ourselves: “If I make it to Asolo, I deserve a reward.” Asolo, with its illuminated Rocca, reminds us that beauty can be hard to reach. But the view is worth every drop of sweat (and every inner complaint).

Maser, Montebelluna, and La Tradotta: The long road home

Descending from Asolo, our legs start to argue with our heads: “Who put us in this situation?” We cross Maser, give a weary wave to Villa Barbaro, and reach Montebelluna, the homeland of sports shoes. Ironically fitting, isn’t it?

La Tradotta is like a mental treadmill: just go straight, don’t think too much, pedal, and hope you see a branch at some point.

Towards Treviso: Country roads and agricultural mysteries

After Volpago del Montello, we venture through cultivated fields and former quarries that look like something out of a post-apocalyptic film, but greener and less dramatic. There, between a late radicchio and a shadow of Prosecco (only in our dreams, because we’re cycling sober), we reflect on the meaning of life… or at least on why we didn’t just stay on the couch.

Treviso and the Treviso-Ostiglia: The grand finale

In Treviso, the city sleeps, but we are more awake than ever (or maybe it’s just the caffeine). Urban legends and the night canals add a touch of mystery as we head towards Quinto di Treviso, taking the Treviso-Ostiglia: the former railway that no longer puffs but still gets you pedaling. Don’t worry, no trains are coming: the historic Treviso-Ostiglia path tonight is all yours and your bicycles!

We’ve challenged the night, conquered the stars, and tamed the moon… all to arrive at dawn in Morgano and discover that the real prize was a croissant as tired as we are and a coffee staring at us with a challenge in its eyes. But hey, at least the selfie turned out great!

Conclusion:

We’ve pedaled, laughed, maybe cried a little (but it was probably because of the wind in our eyes, of course). The Night Ride is not just a ride: it’s an inner journey, a cycling odyssey, an adventure that’s best told after a good coffee and a croissant at dawn.

And remember: those who sleep, don’t ride bikes!