Northern Italy..?

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Anonymous's picture
Anonymous

I'm flying to Nice,France and riding into Piemonte,Italy at the end of May....can anyone offer advice regarding roads or anything at all?..Cruz

Anonymous's picture
David Schlichting (not verified)
Piemonte

Assume you are into mountains. Based on driving experience a few years ago, to go straight east from Nice is a fairly busy coastal highway. Did a bike tour this past summer which came into Piemonte sort of from the north via Isola 2000 and the Col de la Lombarde. From Nice, it is not a bad ride UP, repeat UP N202 / D2205 to reach this pass. This will put you into a very quiet area with good roads. We took this to cover some pass roads used in the Giro in 2003. Alternate would be southern approach by way of the Col de Tende which will allow you to either get to Cuneo or Torino and transportation to wherever is next on your agenda or work your way towards Sestriere or Aosta. Check out www.cuneobikehotels.com and see the page Granada Bike Tour for some interesting views of potential routes in this area.

Anonymous's picture
Richard Rosenthal (not verified)
Avoiding unpaved roads; collecting passes.

"Unless it has been paved very recently, the Tende is a rough, rough piece of road for c. 4-5 K. or so at its top--unless you take the tunnel.

Come to think of it, when I did the Lombarde--but that was twelve years ago--it, too, was not paved at the top.

If you are willing to ride an unpaved road, I would love for you to give me a report on the unpaved road that starts/ends at Sestriere and climbs the Assietta and the Finestre, on the other side of which is Susa. I heard that road might be paved in time for the Torino Olympics.

It's a really boring climb, but if you want the boast that comes attached to it, c. 70 miles NNW of Nice is the Col de la Bonette, arguably the highest paved Alp Pass. ""Arguable"" because you actually do a roundabout from the main road to gain those last meters to the cimé that puts you higher than the Iseran.

Once you cross it, and descend to near Barcelonette, head east. Unless you head farther north in France over the Vars and Izoard (into Briançon, thence, if you wish, cross into Italy and the Sestriere) is the Larche/Magdalena into Italy.

Avoid the flat roads in the Piedmonte. They are BORING."

Anonymous's picture
Cruz (not verified)
maps?

thanks - Know anywhere where I can get some maps?... I'm also looking to catch a stage of the Giro @ Limone piemonte, any advice?...Cruz

Anonymous's picture
Christian Edstrom (not verified)

"For the Italy portion you'll want the TCI Piemonte and Val d'Aosta map, which is 1:200,000 and of excellent quality. I've linked it below:
http://www.globecorner.com/t/t16/8022.php

For France, I think all you'll need Michelin #341 (Maritime Alps), but this page should sort it out for you:
http://www.rivierarental.com/tools.htm#maps

Michelin #341 should be available at Amazon or B&N. Enjoy your trip. Bring warm clothes, if you intend to go to Val d'Aosta/Bormio/Sestriere.

- Christian"

Anonymous's picture
Jay (not verified)
Fr Riviera & trains in Eur

Good cycling: on the 3 corniches just East of Nice and the Massif Estorel(nice hills/lite traffic) West of Cannes Bad cycling: cycling into Italy from Nice/Menton: there are tunnels/ autos go from bright sun to dark--visibility problem for them--may be glass & debris on right side of tunnels/lots of traffic, even in May there

If u are bringing your bike on a train check new regs carefully, since Madrid bombing trains have tightened up these regs.

May should be a good time, not too hot and not too crowded--Enjoy!

Anonymous's picture
Cruz (not verified)

thanks!!...got the maps very easily w/ those links!

cycling trips