Last year we went to Turin and this year to Genoa in May and now we wanted to discover the area in between by bike. We have only cycled in the Netherlands before and certainly not with a lot of climbing and descending and moreover we both just turned 65. I read that other participants also started the trip untrained and I very optimistically thought that we would also succeed and so it was. We had already been to Ovada beforehand and there we got an idea of the slopes and descents in this area. environment.
We started to have some doubts about our assessment of this cycling holiday. We were warmly welcomed by Aad and Esther at our first stay at I Tre Poggi with the bicycles and the detailed itinerary with tips for coffee and lunch, dinner included and wine tasting the next day. We were reassured with an extra battery for the worst climbs and we were really looking forward to it.
Day 1: Departure from ITre Poggi via Canelli to Stefano Belbo (coffee) to Mango and a big climb to Neive, the most beautiful village in the country (excellent lunch with beautiful views at ristorante Donna Salvatice). Then via Barberesco to Alba. Great hotel, a bit of a touristy town known for the black and white truffle. Nice to see and nice drinks with jazz music on the square.
Day 2: Departure from Alba to Torre Bormida, first a long stretch of cycle path (very exceptional) and then a steep climb to Verduno and La Morra and Barolo (delicious lunch) and then to Monforte d’Alba via Rodino, Cravanzana to Torre Bormida. We were warmly welcomed by Fabio and his family in his typical Italian agriturismo. We had a delicious meal and drinks here, unforgettable and big compliments to Fabio and family.
Day 3: After a delicious breakfast by the pool we went back to Canelli. In Cortemillia we had coffee at a very cute cafe and then we started the big climb of 8 kilometers. Very proud that we had achieved this and then we continued the road to Roccaverano. This was followed by a 12 km long descent through a beautiful landscape to Monastero Bormida. After lunch back to ITre Poggi for a last dip in the pool and our last night in Piedmont, a bit of a shame that we had to leave again the next day! We enjoyed the vineyards and hazelnut orchards and the overwhelming scents along the way, the beautiful views and the church bells that sound faintly over the hills, the delicious cappucis and lunches and the wonderful Piedmont cuisine with accompanying wines.
During the trip (all days above 30 degrees!) I once had to get off because I couldn’t make it up the slope and this probably motivated me to continue cycling throughout the journey at all costs, as walking up the hill in the heat with a bicycle in hand is even harder than cycling!
We look back with satisfaction on this well-organized cycling holiday by Aad and Esther with extra attention and personal care for us as participants, they literally thought of everything! (Whatsapp group so that we can always reach Aad and Esther in need) We are very proud of our own achievements on the bike and we can recommend this trip to everyone as it was a very special experience. Thank you again to Aad and Esther for this special holiday that we will not soon forget.
