Italian Bike Tours: Powered by Pasta

Mark Pawlak    ash     bike tours, cycling, Cycling Holidays, Cycling Tours, Italy, Road Cycling

Italy is a nation that loves its cycling, and cyclists everywhere love their food – especially pasta. So it’s no surprise that Italian bike tours are proving a top attraction for serious riders and food lovers.

Italian bike tour takes on the Sella Ronda. Pic. Flickr/Jussarian

The country that produced several of the all-time greatest cyclists (Bartali, Coppi, Pantani) also serves up the finest balsamic vinegars, tastiest hard cheeses and wines.

From the floor of the Po Valley to the classic peaks of the Dolomites, you don’t have to be a pro rider to enjoy. But you do need to embrace Italian food – not just for the carbs to help you on those climbs, but also for the pure pleasure of it!

In the 1949 Tour de France, Italian rider Fausto Coppi dominated the climb up the Izoard Pass, to then hand the stage victory to team-mate Bartali as a birthday present.

Acts such as these helped cement Italy’s place as a cycling nation, and riders the world over feel drawn to the country in search of its towering alpine climbs and the outpouring of respect often shown to cyclists who take part in Italy’s Gran Fondos (long distance rides).

And they come for the food.

Pasta Power

Pasta’s low in fat, high in carbohydrates, easy to prepare, light to carry with you if you are touring and available in uncountable varieties. Wholegrain pasta’s also packed with fibre and protein. And it dominates what we know of the Italian diet.

But don’t think you’ve had the best of it until you visit. Mixing cycling and gastronomy, you’ll be treated not just to pasta, but also to delights such as Culatello (aged ham), Parmigiano- Reggiano (crumbly, delicious hard cheese) and balsamic vinegars that shift your tastebuds up to the top ring.

Cycling in the valleys and foothills of Italy may suit gastro tourists best; taking the low road always seems to lead you back to a restaurant and cities laced with culture. There are 47 UNHCR World Heritage Sites in Italy, and The Dolomites is one of them. And it’s here you’ll find the more testing Italian tours.

Take the Pasta Test

Put pasta power to the test with climbs such as the Passo di Stelvio (rising 6,000 ft over 21 km) or the Mortirolo (4,300 ft over 12.4 km). And if you fancy fuelling up for a real challenge, try the Sella Ronda, a circuit of four mountain passes.

But if this year Italian bike tours are off the menu, then look up the ‘La Scienza in Cucina e L’arte di Mangiare Bene’ (The Science of Cooking and the Art of Eating Well) by Pellegrino Artusi.

First published in 1891, it unifies Italian recipes from all the regions – use it as your guide when you prepare your own pasta at home and you’ll never be short of carbs for your own climbs.

About the author

Mark Pawlak wrote 232 articles on this blog.

Editor at Adventure Sports Holidays, Mark's love affair with travel and the challenges of adventure sports continues... "You could save all year for a two-week, all-inclusive, doss by the pool, booze and buffet binge. Or, with a little planning and some good equipment, get off your arse and plan an adventure!"

• Blog
• Twitter
• Facebook

Related posts:

1. Euro Bike Tours: France and Spain
2. Buying cheap bike lights: Knog Frog Strobe Reviewed
3. Family bike Tours: Why cycling holidays in France are fantastique

If you enjoyed this article please consider sharing it!