Anàbasi 300 - 16th edition

The fifteenth edition of Anàbasi 300 will take place from 27 February to 1 March 2026: this year we change base and will be hosted by the City of Marsciano (PG)

It is a word from ancient Greek, meaning 'to go inwards, to explore'.

This is what Xenophon, a writer from the 4th century BC, called his account of a famous expedition of Greek soldiers who crossed the whole of Asia Minor to try to finally return home. It was no walk in the park, and later the word 'anàbasi' was also used to describe a long and arduous undertaking.

In 2007, as Moto Club Umbria, we invented a new concept of rallying, going back to what were the origins of regularity: that is, a route to be completed on a motorbike while respecting the times dictated by the C.O. (time controls). The Anàbasi 1000, this was its name, involved 1000 km in three days (400+400+200) in a progression of difficulty. It was a challenge to oneself, to see if one would be able to complete such a tiring course, not only physically, but also mentally, to orient oneself with the RB (road book), absolutely not a speed race, but a marathon of endurance.

It did not end so well, I seem to remember.

Not at all. A grotesque episode, as well as absurd.

As the Justice of the Peace wrote in the judgement that completely exonerated us from any guilt, it would have been quite sufficient to telephone the day before to ask us to check our documentation, not to carry out such a 'grandstanding' operation that cost the community a lot of money, as well as the cancellation of all our organisational work. Since they were not satisfied with the first instance, which, as said, cleared us of all responsibility, they wanted to appeal. Well, the second instance, a story from November 2012, also confirmed that we were right and the judgment is now final.

Of course, by then the damage had been done.

No: the objective is a different one.

It is the whole style that is different: in the case of Anàbasi 1000 it was an almost extreme endurance test, Anàbasi 300 on the other hand is within the reach of most enduro and rally enthusiasts with a minimum of experience will be able to complete it.

L'Anàbasi 300, whose first edition was held in June 2013 in Pietralunga, includes three days for a total of about 300 km, hence the name 300, is more off-road, with a route suitable for all types of motorbikes.

From the second edition and until 2025 Anàbasi 300 will take place in the second half of February with the starting point in Piegaro: the 2026 edition will take place in Marsciano.

The time of year, in which it is not unlikely to encounter mud or less than idyllic weather conditions, also characterises the 300 as more challenging; the routes are rally-like, not particularly challenging, but not completely easy either.

L'Anàbasi Boòn ('of the cows') was instead designed mainly for two-cylinder or otherwise heavy motorbikes, with routes designed and suitable mainly for so-called 'non-specialist' enduros.

The 2013 edition took place on 28 and 29 September in Massa Martana, in 2014 on 7 and 8 June, again with a base in Massa Martana, in 2015 the Anàbasi Boòn took place on 13 and 14 June with a base in Pietralunga, and finally in 2016 the return to Massa Martana on 4 and 5 June. The 2016 edition was characterised by the amalgamation with the Mucche dell'Appennino (night race) and the Toro dell'Appennino (the final 'extreme').

From the experience with the Umbria Raid TT Rally (2000-2005), the first Anàbasi 1000 in 2007 and the Anàbasi 300 and Boòn from 2013 to the present day, the Rally of the Umbria: which in its first re-edition (2018) was a huge success and will also be held in the 2026: from 23 to 26 April 2026 an adventure of around 800 km on a scenic and spectacular route that is also suitable for dual motorbikes, maxi-enduros and 'oldies': three 'daisy-chain' stages with start and finish in the historic centre of Perugia.

The absence of special stages or other discriminating factors: our intention is to recreate the atmosphere of early rallies, when navigation was fun, not a way of trying to 'cheat' participants. You don't have to go fast, obsessing about time controls, just 'keeping up', enjoying driving in some of the most beautiful areas of Italy and checking where you are going with the RB. There is no race, no discrimination or special tests. A motorbike, a rider and a road-book marking the route: that's all you need to have fun!

Precisely in order to rediscover the taste for navigation, concentrating on drawing notes and other RB indications.
Once again: it is fun, not a race! If you make a mistake, you go back and get back on the right track, you don't lose the race, as on other occasions.

In order to facilitate navigation even for the inexperienced, there are in fact rather frequent resets (about every 30/40 km).

Moto Club Umbria has always been fond of the paper road-book, of its 'romantic' nature.
Since 2025, it has also been possible to participate in Anàbasi 300 via Android digital devices only via the app Navirally for Android and iOS.
Attention! The road books of the three stages will be viewable on Navirally, not the GPX tracks (because we don't produce them for Anàbasi at all!).

Of course you can participate! Many first-time participants approach the world of navigation by following a friend with a road-rook.
But you can also come alone, without any equipment: the atmosphere is goliardic and friendly and many friendships are born on the Anàbasi 300 tracks.
But if you have an old Android phone, attach it to the handlebar, power it via USB, download Navirally and go: you won't regret it!

Exactly! Trying an event like this, trying to find your own way with the RB is perhaps the best school you can do.

What those who have never raced a rally cannot and will never understand is that navigation is based on certain criteria that are not even easy to explain theoretically. It is not just about giving directions to send people from one side to the other: then arrows or a GPS would suffice. It's about giving a person the tool to make a route and making them enjoy discovering how to do it themselves. The great pleasure is that: discovering the route yourself! That's why we wanted to remove any competitive component from our event: it's a ride, not a race

The choice is left to each participant; you can start alone, in pairs with a friend, or together with your team. As there are no time controls, the start only serves to stagger the participants.

Anàbasi 300 is a popular event and usually our participants do everything they can not to miss it, but... it can happen that they cannot attend.

The reimbursement of the 2026 registration fee follows this schedule:

until 6 February 2026: 90% of the fee
8 to 14 February 2026: 50% of quota
from 15 February we will no longer make refunds

You can register via this site only via the online form and pay the registration fee (€270.00 for three stages) via PayPal, credit card or by enclosing the transfer slip.

Registration opens on Monday, 1 December 2025 at 9.00 a.m.: in the last four years they have closed on the same day due to reaching the maximum number of participants.

The registration fee is € 270.00 and includes the road-book (paper  to be returned at the end of the event or electronically) for the three stages, a nice and useful motorbike accessory, number plates, assistance along the route, mid-day refreshments/meals, dinner on Saturday evening.

Overnight accommodation is not included: everyone is free to organise themselves as they wish, we will soon publish a list of affiliated establishments.

Friday arrival, preliminary operations, briefing and handing over of the road books, then the start of the first stage is scheduled for around 14.00 hours.

On Saturday, the start is scheduled for 8.30/9.00 a.m., after a short information briefing. Dinner will be served around 8.30 p.m.

On Sunday, the tour will be shorter, to allow you to return home at a non-extreme hour

The concept of ranking is the furthest thing from Anàbasi!
The spirit of the event is to have fun, to ride, to sail and the prize is to spend some beautiful days, immersed in the beauty of the Umbria. This is the prize, this prize is for everyone!

You do not need a racing licence, but you do need the UISP membership card type A.

If you are not already a member of a UISP motorbike club, the Moto Club Umbria also includes it in the registration for all its events in 2026.

That's right: they are updated quite frequently...

Of course, both along the Anàbasi routes, and using other of the many road-books from previous events organised by the Moto Club Umbria: just contact us to organise Nautae - the Rally Academy!

Anàbasi 300 is organised by enthusiasts for enthusiasts: this formula over the years has attracted a loyal audience that sells out in a few hours: “publicity” is not in the Moto Club Umbria's line, and if we were to do that, we would increase the number of those excluded.

The choice of a very limited number responds to our precise desire not to gather huge numbers, that everything can remain at the level of human contact, so that new friendships can be created while having fun, without anxiety or hassle.

The only publicity is left to “word of mouth”, to enthusiasts talking to other enthusiasts about the event.

We Moto Club Umbria feel rich when we have an extra friend.