If you are visiting Italy for the first time, one of the many exciting things you find out is that Italians love cycling. From all angles in Italy, people use bikes daily, and you’ll find several cyclists. The love for cycling in Italy is mainly because of their passion for bike-related activities. So, don’t be surprised when you suddenly catch the cycling bug while in Italy.
However, you’ll quickly realize that while Italians love cycling, it’s not easy. There are many reasons for this. This is most common because some cities in Italy don’t have cycling trails and routes. It makes it hard to move around. Still, there are regions with the best cycling trails and routes, and they make cycling so much fun.
So, if you suddenly feel the urge to experience cycling in Italy, there are so many things you’ll need to know. This article details things you should know to enjoy your cycling adventure in Italy.
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Find the Best Cycling Locations
As said earlier, cycling in Italy is adventurous, but not in all regions. Some regions have bad trails and routes, which are unsafe for cyclists. For road safety reasons, always search for the best cycling locations, and here are the best locations you can visit in Italy;
- Bormio/Stelvio Region
- Lake Como and the Italian lakes Region
- Emilia Romagna/Riccione/Adriatic Coast Region
- Tuscany Region
- Amalfi Coast Region
- Puglia Coast Region
- Sicily Region
- Dolomite Region
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Review the Cycling Route Before Cycling
Of course, you’ll find excellent routes for the best cycling experience. But, don’t take everyone’s word for it. Survey the routes before going cycling there. Knowing what is out there is essential before setting out for safety purposes.
Find out how long the route is, how safe it is, and where you can take breaks and refuel. Knowing all this is essential; you can never know what you’ll experience when cycling.
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Take Note of Current Temperature
In Italy, the weather temperature varies from hot in the summer to chilly and cold in the winter. Italian roads are under pressure during this time, making them less safe for cycling. There are also natural occurrences like earthquakes and torrential winter rains.
While cycling is fun in Italy, it’s unsafe and takes away from the fun during bad weather. So, be mindful about going cycling, especially during the winter period.
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Pack for All Weather
If you are traveling to Italy during summer and expect it won’t snow while cycling, you’ll need to rethink that. Snow is not uncommon in areas like Stelvio and Gavia during summer. So, pack your jacket while cycling; you never know what weather you’ll run into.
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Organized Bicycle Tours Are the Best
There are always available bicycle tours in Italy. This applies mainly to tourists who don’t know their way around Italy but still want to cycle around Italy. Booking cycling tours is the best way to avoid getting lost or missing your routes. It’s like getting two packages in one—you get a tour of Italy and enjoy cycling.
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Have a Traveling Insurance
As a traveler, it’s essential to always have traveling insurance with you. Your travel insurance saves you from all the travel-associated risks. On occasion, if something happens, and you endure some injury or some damages, your travel insurance will cover the treatment cost. Since not all the trails and routes in Italy deliver the best cycling experience, you’ll need to pay extra caution.
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Carry One Water Bottle While Cycling
You’ll run into water fountains nearly everywhere in Italy. As a result, Italian cyclists don’t bother carrying only one water bottle when cycling. It allows them to use their second bottle cage to keep their tool kit. So, carry only one water bottle and use the other cage for your tools in case of necessity.
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Know the Italian Highway Code
Some rules govern cycling in Italy. It’s mandatory to wear a high-visibility gilet if you’re riding in a tunnel or outside town/city centers between day and night. Also, Italian drivers are known for being aggressive on the road, so you’ll want to watch out when cycling on the highway.
Conclusion
Cycling is an interesting sports activity in Italy that draws the attention of Italians and tourists. However, consider all the above for road safety and the best cycling experience.