The Bicycle Adventure Club - Come Ride With Us!

Turin to the Sea and Back-Seeking the Perfect Cappuccino

September 19th to October 3rd

Ride Director: Marnie Easly
Ride Co-Director: Woody Sherwood
Report by: Sherrie Krown

So how does one go about finding the perfect cappuccino?

Fourteen of us set out on the quest from the Jet Hotel near the Turin airport, thru the hills and valleys of Piedmont and Liguria to the Italian Riviera and back. Many cappuccinos were enjoyed along the way from breakfasts at the excellent hotels followed by the mid-morning break and for some the mid-afternoon break and after dinner. However, it should be noted that real Italians only drink caffè espresso after lunch or dinner because capuccino is too heavy to digest.

We were a hardy bunch who not only searched out the cappuccinos, but also some of the fine Barolo and Barbera wines of the region. Actually it did not take that much searching and after the three wine tastings we all developed a better appreciation of the wines and their pairing with food. Speaking of food, Piedmont is home to the Slow Food Movement that promotes traditional regional seasonal cuisine. Dinners included Michelin Star restaurants serving 4 or 5 course meals featuring the bounty of autumn from pastas with white truffles to meats braised in Barolo to desserts with hazelnuts.

Oh yeah, we also experienced awesome bicycling on narrow roads with hardly any traffic unless you count the farm tractors. The cue sheets and GPS files were super accurate which was a good thing because many of the roads were too small to show on the 1:200,000 Michelin map. Woody has a 6th sense for finding the most spectacular paved cart paths. The first few days we questioned if the GPS and cue sheets were correct in sending us on a road which looked more like a driveway to a house. But the road always led through beautiful countrysides and vineyards and on to the next village. Finally figuring out Woody’s type of road we knew instinctively that when the cue sheet said to go thru the tunnel of buildings in one village we made the turn without hesitation. The terrain was moderately undulating with a few stingers up to 18% to test your legs. The exception was the day riding along the Ligurian Sea where riders not only encountered heavier traffic but also fierce gusts and shifting winds going around numerous headlands. At times it was nigh impossible to pedal into the wind and walking the bike for a stretch was the safest mode of travel.

The weather was perfect - warm sunny autumn days with only one afternoon of rain. The rain came on an optional riding day so only the riders who opted for lunch in the village got wet on the way back up to the hotel.

In conclusion, this trip encompassed all the best that Italy has to offer - fine wines, great food, and some of the best cycling on the planet. It has become one of my favorite BAC trips. A classic BAC adventure sure to please many BAC riders.