Anyone been road cycling in north Italy?

[Get Karter]

Looking to head to Lombardy area, maybe Bergamo or thereabouts.
Anyone been road cycling there?
Are there good routes in the nearby mountains?
Are there cycle friendly routes for getting out the town (either Bergamo or other)?

Wouldn’t be riding every day, as it’s a family holiday too…

Thanks for any insight

[LimaDelta]

I've had some of my scariest moments cycling in Italy. Not those specific areas mentioned, but Italian driving can often be, erm unpredictable in nature, and compared to France, which IMHO seems quite safe for road cycling, Italy was a much less relaxing experience. Maybe I was just unlucky, or it was the particular region I was in (Liguria and Tuscany). Sweeping generalisation of course, YMMV etc.

[cliffords]

As a motorcycle rider I can say my experience is the Italian road awareness and care is the lowest I have experienced in all the European countries I go to . The expression everyone is out to kill you is never more accurate than in Italy . It is my top riding and holiday destination, I love it , but there is risk.

[Gin and Ultrasonic]

OP, I've never driven or cycled around the area you're looking at, but I've been to a lot of other places in Italy, and have to concur with the other posters about it not looking like a great place to cycle.

I don't think Italians are deliberately inconsiderate, but driving everywhere as fast as possible is ingrained, so squeezing past cyclists whether its a good idea or not is just a normal thing to do, as is drivers spending their entire car journey either texting or on the phone - on any motorway / dual carriageway equivalent you'll see loads of drivers weaving between the hard shoulder and lane 1 on their phones regardless of whether they are driving a fiat 500 or an HGV.

[JEA1K]

I've ridden in Italy a number of times ... Como, Sorrento and Liguira. I can't say that I've faced any unsafe driving towards us ... certainly not like in the UK. The roads around Como are fairly tight but well worth making the effort to ride over to if you're close enough, especially if you can only get a few days riding in.

[Daveyraveygravey]

I've ridden a LOT in Abruzzo, and a little in Como and near the Stelvio. I'd agree with most posters here, it is as dangerous as the UK, just a bit different.

But then you stop for a coffee and croissant (cornetti) and you get change from a €5 note...

[Get Karter]

Thanks for all your input guys. Noted.
Think I’ll leave the bike at home.

[ajk]

I've just come back from two weeks riding around Lake Garda and the surrounding mountains.
While you do get a lot of close passes, as per other comments, I didn't feel it was anywhere near as dangerous as riding in Surrey!
Way less antagonism towards cyclists for a start.
Spectacular scenery, plenty of quiet roads, generally in much better condition than those in the UK.
There's also an excellent and comprehensive infrastructure of cycle paths.
One of my favourite places to ride a bike.

[Daveyraveygravey]

ajk said:

I've just come back from two weeks riding around Lake Garda and the surrounding mountains.
While you do get a lot of close passes, as per other comments, I didn't feel it was anywhere near as dangerous as riding in Surrey!
Way less antagonism towards cyclists for a start.
Spectacular scenery, plenty of quiet roads, generally in much better condition than those in the UK.
There's also an excellent and comprehensive infrastructure of cycle paths.
One of my favourite places to ride a bike.

The only comment I'd question on that is the condition of the roads, certainly in Abruzzo. They can be beautifully smooth, especially if the Giro has been through in the last year, but they can descend into cratered land-slipped nightmares a tractor would struggle with in a couple of metres.

[ajk]

Daveyraveygravey said:

The only comment I'd question on that is the condition of the roads, certainly in Abruzzo. They can be beautifully smooth, especially if the Giro has been through in the last year, but they can descend into cratered land-slipped nightmares a tractor would struggle with in a couple of metres.

Good point, to be fair a lot of the roads I was on were used by the Giro this year, so they had been recently re-tarmacked!

[Robertb]

I've cycled in the Dolomites, sella ronda which I guess is further North, and Stelvio.

Can't say I noticed any difference in driving standards around me as a cyclist vs France (where drivers seemed a great deal stroppier last year vs previous years, oddly). I dont recall a moment feeling in danger, even in relatively urban areas.

Absolutely stunning, glorious countryside, and great food and coffee!

[okgo]

I’ve done a bit too. Euro drivers are different but never had an issue. Wouldn’t think twice about cycling there - the country loves cycling, and that area is used in many races including one of the biggest races there is (Tour of Lombardy).

[Julian Scott]

I've ridden a lot around Como and a little further north/dolomites and over as far at Stelvio.

Driving is a mare, but riding I find easier and safer than the UK, the drivers might be fast and wild at times, but they respect and show respect for riders, IME.

If you go around Como, the Brunate climb as well as the climb up to Madonna di Ghisallo are absolutely essential.

[craigthecoupe]

I'm in northern Tuscany, after five years of riding, i'd say its certainly no worse that the uk. I've had a couple of very close passes, but couldn't say i feel nervous on the roads here, that said, i'm in the sticks and stay away from main roads where i can. The driving style is so different, and also, the roads are much wider generally speaking. Is there an option to hire where youre staying? maybe see how you feel, and if you're ok with it, rent a bike for a day and decide for yourself? some wonderful cycling north of Lucca, the roads are busy with local riders, but given the ease to get here, and the low cost of property rentals and food/drink i can't believe the place isnt busier.