A proposal to re-discover the winter

Winter has begun and the intention to stop pedaling is not there. As the readers of cuboviaggiatore know, the mountain in winter is not necessarily to be associated with skiing,  it can be an opportunity to rediscover new routes, not necessarily aimed at cycling performance, but to enjoy the landscape and listen  the silences that only the mountain in winter can give.

Orbetello, riding on the lagoon

Orbetello Lagoon is another of Italian natural wonders, which was able to surprise me. I was not prepared to ride by bike this natural park at all, the plan was different, maybe also for this reason it was a pleasant surprise.

Valchiusella, The Alice's valley

By Toni Farina

In Valchiusella there is Alice (a word that is slippery, with an accent on "A"), a land of wonder. Among the wonders of Alice there are the peat bogs and the two homonymous lakes, large and small. In Valchiusella there is also Alice (flat word, with emphasis on "i"). Alice lives in Rueglio, another country of wonder. Alice in Rueglio knows everyone, and knows everything.

The Green Ring (La Corona Verde)

Tour Proposal: Turin - Black Forest

Overall Description
This bicycle trip will pick you up in the magic atmosphere of the dense woodland of the German Black Forest, the region which extends from the Swiss border, north from Basel, up to Baden-Baden city. This trip touches only the southern part (Southern Black Forest Nature Park) of the Schwarzwald, which is rich of nature and local traditions. The Tour will pass across Switzerland with its spectacular mountain passes like Simplon Pass, Furkapass and Great St Bernard Pass and reach the Feldberg in the Black Forest (Germany), the highest peak in the area, and the lakeside resort towns of Titisee, the reservoir Lake of Schluchsee and many other highlights that you can see below in this post.

Overall Map and Stages

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Stages:
1^st Stage: Turin - Ameno (128 Km)
2^nd Stage: Ameno - Brig, Switzerland (114 Km)
3^rd Stage: Brig - Isenthal (126 Km)
4^th Stage: Isenthal - Ühlingen-Birkendorf (138 Km)
5^th Stage: Ühlingen-Birkendorf - Todtmoos (82 Km)
6^th Stage: Todtmoos - Wolfisberg (88 Km)
7^th Stage: Wolfisberg - Montbovon (121 Km)
8^th Stage: Montbovon - Aosta (143 Km)
9^th Stage: Aosta - Turin (127 Km)

The Hilly area south of Chivasso

This area at Torino doorstep (precisely in the East Part of Torino) offers many possibilities for bikers in both long and short distance ride.

The area is totally hilly and we have to expect continuous uphills and downhills. The vegetation sometimes does not allow to see the landscapes, but when you are at the top of the hills you can enjoy very beautiful landscapes.
Play attention the uphill toward Castagneto Po it is very hard there are some stretches at 14 % inclination.

It is recommended for a lunch break to stop in a nice country side restaurant handled by a family. The place is called Il Tavernone that is located in Vernone as the name leave easily guess.

TRATTORIA BAR IL TAVERNONE
55, Strada Maestra Fr. Vernone 10020 Marentino, Torino. Tel: (011) 943-5091

For another lunch break stopping in Tonengo on the way toward Cocconato it is recommended a trattoria called trattoria Moia, typical Piemontese "Piola" with interesting assortment of starters. The food quantity is also abundant and prices are really reasonable, many people on the web define it as a traditional ancient time place.

RISTORANTE MOIA
Via Cocconato, 12 - 14023 - Tonengo (AT)
tel: 0141.908132

Itinerario Proposta 1

This is just one proposal but many combinations are possible, please consider the GPS Tracking section.

GPS Tracking

Distance: 62 Km
Total Ascent: 1368 m

Distance: 70.54 Km
Total Ascent: 1213 m

Distance: 78.73 Km
Total Ascent: 1458 m

Distance: 50 Km
Total Ascent: 849 m

By bike from Paris to London. Everything is easy

From Paris to London by bike. The two capitals have recently been connected by a cycle path of just over 400 kilometers, inaugurated two months before the start of the Olympics in 2012. From the romantic city dominated by the Eiffel Tower the path of the Avenue Verte (so called this fascinating cycle route) runs along the enchanting valley of the Seine and the river Epte to the sea. After crossing the Channel from Dieppe to Newhaven, continue along the green English lawns to London. Now, even in Italy, this wonderful itinerary that unites the two most beloved European capitals is offered to cycling enthusiasts. An idea waiting for spring.

Adda di Leonardo

A dear friend of mine notifies me this nice place, unfortunately I had no occasion to visit and ride in these places, but they look very nice, I post here on my blog for future record.

On this Link is available a very useful map of the path along the Adda river Starting from Trezzo up to Brivio.

Torino Hills Routes (From San Mauro T.se)

San Mauro T.se is in a strategic position, it is at the base of Torino hill park (The Parco Naturale della Collina Torinese) from here there are several bike rides possible. It is at the junction of the Po river with the Stura Lanzo river thanks to this position a good bike paths along riversides are available.

Route 1: 54.6 Km - Vertical climb: ca 1160 m

Route 2: 63.3 Km -Vertical climb: ca 1280 m
Route 3: 71.9 Km - Vertical climb: ca 1420 m


Route 1
San Mauro, Castiglione Torinese, Cordova, Baldissero Torinese, Valle Ceppi, Pino Torinese, Pecetto Torinese, Revigliasco, Colle Della Maddalena, Eremo, Panoramica di Superga, Rivodora, San Mauro Torinese.

• Distance: 54.6 km
• Total vertical climb: ca. 1160 m
• Inclination: Hilly
• Surface: Paved

Route

View Route: Torino Hill (From San Mauro) Training 1 in a larger map

Altimetric Profile

GPS Tracking
http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/vNJv-Dyf8Gw

http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/qaUYKrERTW8


Route 2
San Mauro, Castiglione Torinese, Cordova,  Pavarolo, Tetti Berruto, Baldissero Torinese, Valle Ceppi, Pino Torinese, Pecetto Torinese, Revigliasco, Colle Della Maddalena, Eremo, Panoramica di Superga, Rivodora, San Mauro Torinese.

From SanMauro get the SS590 up to Castiglione Torinese, turn right direction Chieri in the roas called Strada della Rezza. After about 1 Km turn left in direction Cordova.After Cordova at the junction go straight toward Pavarolo continuing the uphill. After passing Pavarolo the road goes to connect again to Strada della Rezza, about 200 meters before this connection turn right, it is a small asphalt road that ends up in another bigger road coming from Chieri. At this juction turn right direction Baldissero Torinese.

• Distance: 63.3 km
• Total vertical climb: ca. 1280 m
• Inclination: Hilly
• Surface: Paved

Route

 

View Route: Torino Hill (From San Mauro) Training 2 in a larger map

Altimetric Profile

Tour 3

• Distance: 71.9 km
• Total vertical climb: ca. 1420 m
• Inclination: Hilly
• Surface: Paved

Take the SS590 up to Gassino at the roundabout get the first road on your right toward Cinzano, Sciolze Bussolino. In the area Molinasso turn left toward Rivalba and Castagneto Po. Once in Castagneto Po' follow the signs for Casalborgone. In Casalborgone take the SP458 direction Cocconato and Asti. At the top of the uphill you'll find the sign Aramengo but we don't have to turn left for the village and continue on SP458 up to the indication for Albugnano.

Route

View Route: Torino Hills (From San Mauro) Training 3 in a larger map

Altimetric Profile

GPS Tracking
http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/kTk9cCH5GLk

Colle Del Lys Tour

This tour is very famous among bikers in Turin. It is one of the closer pass to Torino city. The best way to ride this tour is in the anticlockwise. From Torino getting toward Lanzo Valleys via the SP1 road along the east side of La Mandria Park.

Torino Tour

The Tour: Torino P.za Massaua, Pianezza, San Gillio, La Cassa, Fiano, Robassomero, San Maurizio, Leini, Settimo, Castiglione, Rivodora, Parco Naturale Della Collina di Superga, Pino Torinese, Colle Della Maddalena, Moncalieri, Nichelino, Borgaretto, Beinasco, Orbassano, Grugliasco, Torino P.za Massaua

• Distance: 113.9 km
• Total vertical climb: ca. 1000 m
• Inclination: Partly hilly - partly flat
• Surface: Paved

The tour starts from west part of the city in Piazza Massaua, but it can begin wherever in the city depending on where you stay. The idea is to plan a long ride without moving too much from the city. the track is partially hilly and partially flat. I think this route it can be good for long distance training without being too far from the city.

Once you are in the Superga Park don't forget to take a break in the Panoramix kiosk. It is a peculiar place; very few kilometres away from the city centre anyway you have the feeling to be somewhere else, a very relaxing and quite place where have a drink and snack.The owner is very friendly and you can have occasion quite easily to socialize with many riders, who stop there for tha same reason.

There are of course several alternative slternatives, I just propose the following one:

Alternative 1: In starda borgaretto crossing Strada Torino is possible go straight and continue on the cycling path along Sangone river, instead of turning left to Strada Torino.

Alternative 2: On the way down from Colle della Maddalena instead going directly to Moncalieri take the way to Revigliasco and then go to Moncalieri where continue the tour. 

Overall Route

Show Route: Around Torino tour in a bigger map

Altitude Profile
 

Links
Parco Naturale Collina torinese

From the Alps to Mont Ventoux (1st Edition)

Salita al Monte Ventoso


Oggi, spinto dal solo desiderio di vedere un luogo celebre per la sua altezza, sono salito sul più alto monte di questa regione, chiamato giustamente Ventoso. 

...

La mole del monte, infatti, tutta sassi, è assai scoscesa e quasi inaccessibile, ma ben disse il poeta che «l’ostinata fatica vince ogni cosa»

[F. Petrarca] 

Overall Tour

Day 1: Cuneo - La Roure (102 Km)
Day 2: La Roure - Castellane (105 Km)
Day 3: Castellane - Greoux Les Bains (77 Km)
Day 4: Greoux Les Bains - Arles (135 Km)
Day 5: Arles - Carpentras (70 Km)
Day 6: Carpentras - Nyons (84 Km)
Day 7: Nyons - Gap (108 Km)
Day 8: Gap - Barcellonnette (68 Km)
Day 9: Barcellonnette - Cuneo (110 Km)

Visualizzazione ingrandita della mappa

Day 1

Cuneo - La Roure (102 Km)

Highlights

Col De La Lombarde:  (2.350 m s.l.m.) is amountain pass at the border between France and Italy in the Maritime Alps.
The uphill is one of the most impressive in the Alps. The uphill is 21.7 Km long with an average inclination of 6.8% and a maximum of 14%. On the Italian side you can see on your way the San Anna Sanctuary, the highest in Europe. On the French side you will find on your way the ski resort area of Isola 2000. The Tour de France passed here in the 2008 in the Cuneo - Jausiersstage which was won by Stefan Schumacher.

On your path the road will pass across the Parc National Du Mercantour that is located on the extrem south-east part of France just close by Piedmont, it is one of the 9 national parc in France. The Parc National Du Mercantour includes the following valleys which some of them will be crossed in the following days:

• Roya Valley
• Roya-Bevera Valley
• Vésubie Valley
• Tinée Valley
• Cians Valley
• Var Valley
• Ubaye Valley
• Verdon valley

Gorges de la Valabres: Road characterized by red rocks with tunnels in the rocks.

La Roure: it is a small town in the Maritime alps in the region of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence with 219 people, from here the view is wonderful, it is recommended to stay at the Auberge Le Robur (Booking).

Route

View Larger Map

Altitude Profile

Hotel info
Name: Auberge Le Robur
Website: http://www.aubergelerobur.fr/index_083.htm
Address: Rue Centrale, Roure, 06420, France
Phone: +33493020357
Email: lerobur@free.fr

Day 2

La Roure - Castellane (105 Km)

Highlights

Roubion It is a sall town which dominate the Vionène valley and laying on the rock.

The first uphill of the day is the Col de la Cuillole (m 1678). During the uphill is possible to see the typical middle age village of Roubion.

 

Gorges du Cians: The cians is a small river confluent to the Var, but is famous because crossing the spectacular Gorges.

Today additional highlights:
Col de Toutes Aures
Lac de Castillon
Castellane

Route

View Larger Map

Altitude Profile

Day 3

Castellane - Greoux Les Bains (77 Km)

Highlights

Gorges du Verdon: it is the canyon formed by Verdon river, it is considered one of the best of Europe. The canyon is 25 Km long and 700 meters height.
The river name derive by its colour. The most canyon interesting part is starting after the Castellane villageup to the Saint Croix Lake.

Lac de Saint Croix: The artificial lake formed by means of a dam build from 1971 to 1974 called Saint Croix barrage. The basin has a capacity of 761 million of water square meters and it is able to produce 142 million of KWh of electric energy per year.

Route (77 Km)

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Altitude Profile

Adviced Hotel
Name: La Cheneraie
Website: http://www.la-cheneraie.com/
Address: Chemin Des Collines Bp32, Greoux Les Bains, 04800, France
Phone: +33492780323
Email: contact@la-cheneraie.com


Day 4

Greoux Les Bains - Arles (135 Km)

Highlights

Vinon Sur Verdon
Gorges de L'Infernet
Aix en Provence
Arles

Route

Visualizzazione ingrandita della mappa

Altitude Profile

Hotel info
Name: Hôtel Résidence de la Transhumance
Website: http://www.hotel-transhumance.fr/
Address: 11, rue de la Transhumance, Saint Martin de Crau, 13310, France
Phone: +33490182970
Email: hotel-transhumance@orange.fr

Day 5

Arles - Carpentras (70 Km)

Route

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Adviced Hotel info
Name: Les Demeures Du Ventoux
Website: http://www.lesdemeuresduventoux.com/
Address: Avenue Majoral Jouve Quartier De La Rodde, Aubignan, 84810, France
Phone: +33490361083
Email: AccDemeuresDuVentoux@village-center.fr

Day 6 (Thursday 29/09/2011) Mont Ventoux
Carpentras - Nyons (84 Km)

Il Mont Ventoux is a massif which peak can reach 1912 meters. It is called by the French "The Giant of the Provence", it is located airline 20 Km south from Carpentras and it is quite far away from other peak in the region.

The Mount Ventoux is classified "Biosphere Reserve" from the UNESCO inthe context of "MAB" (Man and Biosphere) project. The Mount Ventoux presents a specific flora and a rich fauna. The surranding hills are famous for the well-known table wine (Côtes du Ventoux).

Route

Visualizzazione ingrandita della mappa

Altitude Profile

Hotel info
Name: La Picholine
Website: http://www.picholine26.com/
Address: Promenade de la Perriere Nyons, 26110, France
Phone: +33475260621
Email: picholine26@wanadoo.fr
Location: Latitude 44.36472, Longitude 5.13545 (N 044° 21.883, E 05° 8.127)

Links
http://www.salite.ch/ventoux2.asp
http://www.suipedali.it/
http://www.lemontventoux.net/  
http://www.climbbybike.com/

Day 7

Nyons - Gap (108 Km)

Highlights
Col De La Sauce

Route

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Hotel info
Name: Hotel Pre Vert
Website: http://www.hotel-prevert-gap.federal-hotel.com/

Address: Belle Aureille - Micropolis Gap, 05000, France
Phone: +33492524584, +33492520691 (Fax)
E-mail: hotel-prevert@orange.fr

Day 8
Gap - Barcellonnette (68 Km)

Route (68 Km)

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Altitude Profile

Hotel info
Name: Chalet Pra Loup
Website: http://www.chaletpraloup.fr/
Address: Les Molanes
Pra Loup 1500, 04400
France
Phone: +33676638440, +33492322226 (fax)
E-Mail: chaletpraloup.resa@yahoo.fr

Day 9

Barcellonnette - Cuneo (110 Km)

Route

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40th-issimo Cup (Colle Fauniera) The Program

I cannot see a best way to celebrate my 40th birthday. The tour is not too long but the uphill is quite tough and famous because here Pantani won and a statue is dedicated to him at the top. There is everything to be a wonderful day, friends and family, we hope only in the good weather.

The Fauniera Col (also called "The death Col " due to a tremendous battle between Spain and Piedmont armies in the 17th century) connect the Valle Grana with the Vallone dell'Arma (a north side valley of Stura di Demonte that start from Cuneo).

Day 1
Dronero - Marmora (80 Km)

Program
Starting from Dronero
Road from Caraglio to Demonte
Uphill to olle Fauniera
Very technical downhill to the Esischie Col;
Dinner and Accomodation in Baita a Marmora

Route (Altimeter Profile)

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Day 2
Marmora - Dronero (58 Km)

Program
Departure from Marmora
Way back to Colle Fauniera
Panoramic downhill toward Caraglio
Lunch in Agriturismo

Route (Altimetria)

Show in a Bigger Map

Hotel Info
http://www.lamarmu.com/

Links
http://dangerousroads.org/
http://nessunotocchipantani.splinder.com/
http://napobike.interfree.it/fauniera.htm
http://cycloclimbing.com/alpspass1700paved/13morti.html