THE PACK has partnered with Marco Ghezzi, an Italian journalist focused on motorcycle tourism and promoting electric mobility through the eV-Now! Foundation. In this article, Marco Ghezzi and Daniele Invernizzi collaborate to share their insights on the winding Provincial Road 65, a scenic route connecting Como Lake and Valsassina.

Sometimes you come across roads that may be little known, but because of their characteristics, the pleasant driving experience they offer, and the breathtaking views they provide, they can rival much more renowned routes. For example, Provincial Road 65, a winding connection between Como Lake and Valsassina, can proudly bear the title of Scenic Route 65, complete with signage in the typical style of American Scenic Routes, a term overseas that identifies the most beautiful and scenic roads.

At the end of Valsassina, we find the “little Stelvio,” a winding stretch of asphalt that, like the real Stelvio Pass famous route, climbs the mountainside with hairpin bends, offering dizzying views. These are roads that make motorcyclists enthusiastic, especially when riding a high-performance electric bike like the EsseEsse9, our travel companion on this itinerary, which, thanks to its powerful motor, impressive torque, and bicycle-like maneuverability, allows you to appreciate every kilometer.

To reach the Route 65, we travel along the Larian shore of Como Lake on the “old” and delightful coastal road, then take a short break in Varenna, originally a fishing village and one of the prettiest towns on the entire Lario. The historic center is worth a stroll to observe the colorful houses around the small harbor and to climb to the top of the promontory where the Castello di Vezio stands, a medieval structure still in excellent condition. Leaving Varenna, we head inland, following the twisty road that climbs towards Esino Lario. The bucolic landscapes of the lake gradually give way to a wilder environment, dominated by vegetation and bare rock faces into which the road is carved. After a few kilometers, we finally see the sign: Scenic Route Sixty Five! We’re not in Wyoming or Colorado, of course, but the sign is quite intriguing. So we enjoy these twenty-six kilometers of curves, hairpin bends, and chicanes that combine driving fun with continuous panoramic views.

The first part presents itself as a long traverse halfway up the hillside, narrow between the rock and thick vegetation that only occasionally reveals the surrounding landscape. After passing Esino Lario, however, we climb more decisively, the symphony of curves increases, and it’s time to enjoy the ride. The EsseEsse9 goes quick through these curves, and for a few kilometers, it’s pure cornering fun. Reaching the Passo Agueglio, the road stretches out and the view opens up. We proceed calmly, making the best use of a motor that can be very docile by nature, appreciating the silence of electric travel and letting our eyes take in the views of the lake. The most fascinating spectacle awaits us a little further, when we reach a small natural balcony where a plaque commemorates Pietro Pensa, the designer of this road. From up here, especially on the clearest days, the aerial view of the lake is amazing. You can clearly see the Bellagio promontory and the two branches of Como Lake, each snaking like a shining tongue between the mountains.

Reaching Perledo, we leave Route 65 and enter the heart of Valsassina, visiting other interesting places. As Cortabbio, an ancient mining center where the Cortabbio-Primaluna Mine, open for tourist visits, remains a living testament to this activity. In Barzio, the chimney of the old Furnace stands out, now renovated into an interesting museum. Inside, the traditional activities of the area are illustrated, such as cheese production and, in the past, mining. The extraction of iron led to the artisanal production of blades and knives, making Valsassina an international reference point for this type of product.

After crossing Col Balisio, we turn towards Morterone, following the amazing road that climbs the steep slopes and looming limestone cliffs of Monte Due Mani. The curves and hairpin bends are so tight and steep that it feels like we’re on a “little Stelvio” one of the most famous alpine roads. We quickly gain altitude and at the end of this wall, we stop, to enjoy a spectacular view that stretches on the horizon. Continuing towards Forcella di Olino, the road winds along the hillside among towering rock spires, offering a new and suggestive glimpse of the landscape at every turn. The route ends in Morterone, which, with its 30 inhabitants, holds the record for the smallest village in Italy by population. We stop at the EV-Chalet, a highly technological and tourist information point, created by eV-Now! and the Municipality of Morterone. The chalet is completely energy autonomous, designed as an example of an “off-grid” structure and 100% renewable energy production, thanks to photovoltaic generation and lithium battery storage. Among its features is an AC charging station for vehicles, so the sun’s energy flows directly into our “tank” in the greenest way possible. After some relaxation and a good coffee, we’re ready to set off again.

EsseEsse9 RS

“Proudly Made in Modena,” as the tag on the frame reads, the EsseEsse9 RS by Energica is a motorcycle that, despite being born as a naked, has proven to be very well-suited for touring as well. This is mainly due to an excellent triangulation between the torso, arms, and legs that allows for a posture of full control while also being comfortable. With two spacious saddlebags and a windshield mounted, we covered kilometers without encountering any problems or early fatigue. The 80 kW motor with a torque of 207 Nm provides adequate power and “pull” for any type of route, while the 21.5 kW/h battery allows for a respectable range.

On our tour, we achieved about 240 km on suburban routes with a consumption between 7 and 8 kW/h per 100 km. Of course, it’s a different story on faster routes, where traveling steadily around 120/130 km/h, it’s hard to exceed 150 km of range. Lastly, it’s very interesting that the bike features both an AC and a DC socket with the Combo 2 standard, allowing you to use virtually any type of charging station and perform fast charging at a rate of 6.7 km/min.