The Sabine hills start here, a landscape of olive groves, oak woods and small limestone ridges, with Monte Gennaro, at 1,271 metres, the highest peak of the range, rising above the villages. The Romans knew this area as Sabina, and it was the home of the Sabine people.
The ride that finishes here has crossed the Abruzzo and the Gran Sasso, so the Sabine foothills are the first sign of Rome's hinterland. The roads here are narrow and quiet, with bends along ridges and across small valleys, and the surface is generally good, though patchy near the villages. Evening light on the olive groves is the best, and the air is cool and fragrant. Traffic increases near the larger roads towards Rome, especially on weekday evenings.
Palombara has a medieval castle, the Savelli castle, which stands over the old town, and the streets below are narrow and full of small churches. Sabina oil is among the oldest in Italy, with a long history of production, and the local farms often sell it directly. The Monti Lucretili park, a protected area of woodland and pasture, has walking routes and a rich wildlife, including wolves and wild boar, though you are unlikely to see them.
Fuel and food are easy at Palombara Sabina, a town of just over six thousand people, with stations, shops and trattorias, and the surrounding villages have simple restaurants. Local dishes include pasta with wild boar sauce, grilled lamb and, in season, mushrooms and truffles. The nearest railway station is at Guidonia or Monterotondo, and the ride back to Rome is short.
If you have time, take the minor road towards Monte Gennaro. The views from the foothills over the Roman campagna, with the city on the horizon, are a satisfying end to a long journey.