Ride Director: Julie Leever
Ride Co-Director: Tom Leever
Report by: Gail Husson
We enjoyed our first day and a chance to get over our jet-lag by having a walking tour of Turin. Our guide presented us with history about the buildings and churches surrounding the main piazza, including a stop to visit the church where the “Shroud of Turin” lives. (There seemed to be a bit of controversy about this!)
The next day the bus took us South to Saluzzo, where some of us assembled our bicycles, and others received their rentals. My test loop was cut short due to some mechanical difficulties, but because we ended our ride late in the day, we got to observe the “cow parade”, an annual event where cows, adorned with huge elaborate cow bells, are paraded down the main streets of town in route to higher pastures- it was quite a scene.
The highlight of the second days ride was the 10K climb to Crissolo, with views of the snow-capped Alps, and lunch at the top. A few of us continued to climb a bit more, as some Austrian cyclists enticed us with promises of more splendid views of the mountains and valley.
In route to Fossano, we enjoyed the optional climb up to Montemale- (short, and steep at the top) but the views were worth it. We met several local cyclists, who train there for hill climbing. After lunch in Busca, the rest of the route was flat and hot with quite a bit of traffic as we neared Fossano. The staff at the Palazzo Righini warmly greeted us, as they showed us to our much appreciated air conditioned rooms. Dinner at the hotel was excellent, as was the atmosphere of the brick-lined cavernous restaurant.
Riding to Barolo, we enjoyed a stop in Dogliani, where an eye-catching gothic type structure sporting many steeples greeted us as we approached the town. Here there were several shops and restaurants, and I was able to fulfill my search for truffle paste! Riding on to Monforte d’Alba, we planned a lunch stop, but were caught up in the crowds of children attending the Pinocchio festival, so after a delicious gelato, we continued to Barolo. Hotel Barolo was my favorite because it had a wonderful large swimming pool – nothing better after a hot day of riding. Around the pool were tourists from France, Germany, the US, and Italy. Dinner on the terrace was spectacular, served family style, and we sampled the wines of the region. The loop ride was challenging - with continuous rolling hills and miles and miles of vineyards. We stopped at Serralunga d’Alba, a massive medieval fortress, however, we were unable to take a tour as they didn’t open until mid-afternoon.
Barolo to Bastagno provided substantial climbs with great decents & great vistas! The loop ride the next day to Roccaverano (the highest point in the region) proved quite challenging, especially in the heat. We were rewarded with lunch at the top and for those that climbed to the top of the tower, views for miles. The dinner at Monteverde was elegant, but portions were small after a hard days ride.
Riding to Gavi was a long, though scenic day. I needed a gelato before heading up the final hill to our Agriturismo which was 2K outside of town. Our suites were spacious with wonderful views of the countryside.
All in all this was a very satisfying trip – the heat (mid-upper 80’s) made the ride seem a bit harder to me than expected. Tom and Julie lead a great ride- well organized, and I would gladly join again.
Bicycle Adventure Club
PO BOX 23998 San Diego, CA 92193
Telephone (858) 715-9510 office@bicycleadventureclub.org