I've lurked long enough - I had to join up. We've travelled to Italy since 1998. We've been all over and can never get enough. My husband is a biker. I used to be, now I'm the driver (which I prefer). If anyone needs information about good bike rides (the ultimate slow travel) in Italy - we can provide. Last spring our group biked from Bari to the Amalfi Coast. The south in the spring is incredibly beautiful. This summer we're bringing some newbies and doing the northern lakes region for a week and Tuscany for a week. I appreciate all of the suggestions I pulled under lurker status. Thank you!!!!!!

Am curious if you have information about bike trails in the Abruzzo region. Thanks.

Welcome in from lurkdom Nona Susan! I think you'll find it is almost as much fun -- or more -- to post and share your knowledge as it is to read others' posts.

Your timing couldn't be better for me -- I'm actually trying to help my sister plan a 4-5 day stay in the Lakes region as part of a birthday present for husband, who is a biker. I think what we've decided that rather than have them take a tour, what they would like to do is stay based in one place -- possibly Varenna, on Lake Como -- and let her husband do some day trips from there. Whether he does them on his own or with a guide that we find is the question of the moment -- any thoughts? He is a very serious cyclist here in the U.S. -- i.e. is part of a club, has participated in team events, etc.

quote:

Originally posted by Stefanaccio:
Am curious if you have information about bike trails in the Abruzzo region. Thanks.

Unfortunately, we have never been to the Abruzzo region. It is planned as one of our future trips!

quote:

Originally posted by auntyk:

what they would like to do is stay based in one place -- possibly Varenna, on Lake Como -- and let her husband do some day trips from there. Whether he does them on his own or with a guide that we find is the question of the moment -- any thoughts? He is a very serious cyclist here in the U.S. -- i.e. is part of a club, has participated in team events, etc.

We stayed in the city of Como several years ago and are staying there again this summer. It is easy to get there by car or train from Milan. The biggest highlight of the last trip was the group's ride to Madonna del Ghisallo, the chapel dedicated to cyclists. Here is a link with some pictures: http://home-1.tiscali.nl/~edwinsel/misc_religie.htm We are going there again this summer. Another good ride was to Luganno. Italy is a wonderfully safe place to bike - all of the drivers respect the cyclists. He shouldn't need a guide if he has a good map. I would recommend staying on the yellow or white roads as they are less travelled. If he likes big climbs he'll be happy!!!

Dear Nona Susan: THanks so much for the quick and informative reply. He does indeed like climbs, which is why we thought this region would be good. Is there a particular map you would recommend? Also, do "yellow" and "white" refer to colors on the map, or are they signed as such on the roads? (Forgive me, but I myself am a cylcing novice). Many thanks -- auntyk

quote:

Originally posted by auntyk:
Dear Nona Susan: THanks so much for the quick and informative reply. He does indeed like climbs, which is why we thought this region would be good. Is there a particular map you would recommend? Also, do "yellow" and "white" refer to colors on the map, or are they signed as such on the roads? (Forgive me, but I myself am a cylcing novice). Many thanks -- auntyk

Hello Auntyk - We like both Michelin and Touring Club Italiano maps. On the maps the red roads are the big 4 to 6 lane autostradas, the small yellow and white roads are more like state and county roads in the US with less traffic.I would recommend buying a map only of a specific region as they show the roads with more accuracy. You also might want to photo copy and enlarge the areas you want to bike in to make it easier to read. We also have laminated those enlargements so they don't melt from sweat or rain Nona Susan

Dear Nona Susan: Thanks so much for the additional info. I can't tell you how much this has already helped our planning! I'll probably be posting some additional questions about cycling in the next week on the Italy board, so hopefully (from my perspective) you will be checking in over there as well. Many, many thanks and welcome again! auntyk