Hocam

So college graduation is less than a year away and I think I've settled on a bike trip; Italy and Switzerland while biking as much of the Apennine's and Alps as possible.

I'd like to do it as light as possible so I can take the bike in my signature instead of my Surly crosscheck. I think it's possible to just stay in hostels and bike from town to town. That way I can just use a large saddlebag like a Carradice camper long flap and only pack clothes and tools. I think with the mountains 100-150+ km a day will be within my reach as I've already done several centuries and plan on doing much more riding this summer and fall.

So my biggest question is how do you start planning for something like this? Should I start with a travel book and a map and go from there? I was thinking of following some of the route that the Giro d'Italia takes but am not sure.

I've also been browsing some travel blogs but can't find many that are in Italy for more than a week or two. I'd like to spend 2 months minimum doing it, preferably in the months of July and August. If anyone could point me towards more travel blogs of Italy and Switzerland tours that'd be great too.

Thanks!

markf

Here's another bag to consider along with the Carradice Camper:https://www.rivbike.com/webalog/baggage_racks/20124.html. A small handlebar bag is good to have too, even if you are travelling fast and light.

Touring Club Italiano (https://www.touringclub.it/) publishes excellent maps of Italy, I found the regional 1:200 000 maps to be really good for planning a bike tour. Order the maps from the TCI website or from www.trektools.com here in the US. I found Rough Guide travel guides to be about the most informative, but YMMV. I've used Lonely Planet cycling guides for the UK, France and Italy, and I've decided that a good regular travel guide and a good set of maps is a better way to plan a tour.

Some of the best cycling roads in Italy (IMO, anyway) are "strade bianche", tiny roads marked in white on the more detailed maps, and not at all on the bigger maps. Lots of these roads are well-graded gravel, others used to be paved but now that they've been bypassed by more modern roads the local authorities replace the asphalt with gravel as the asphalt deteriorates.

Lots of tunnels in the mountains, so bring a good taillight, some kind of headlight, and maybe some strategically placed reflector tape. There's frequently an older road that goes up and over whatever mountain the tunnel goes through, but at other times your choices will be a long, long detour or a fast sprint through the tunnel. When I was cycling through tunnels in Umbria last May I had a policeman drive right past me and wave, so I'm guessing that it's legal unless there's a sign that says otherwise.

HTH,

mark

Hocam

Wow, thanks for all the information; I'll definitely be ordering some maps. I didn't plan on bringing a light but now it's sounding like a good idea. I think I'll start with a travel book and pick places to visit along with some mountains from the Giro I'd like to climb, then buy the maps.

I saw the Nigel Smythe bag but I'm leaning towards the carradice for waterproofness and it's not quite as expensive.

spinnaker

Take a look at www.enit.it. Specifically the tourist information offices. Write down the addresses of the TI offices in all of the towns you plan to visit. First thing when you hit a town, head there. They will really help in finding camping, hostels, B&Bs etc.


Also try www.slowtalk.com. Not a lot of cycling information but lots of good information on Italy. Switzerland is also covered to some extent.

acantor

For ideas for Switzerland, contact the closest Swiss Tourist Office, which are located in several cities in the USA. When I was planning my trip to Switzerland a few years ago, I told them the region I was planning on visiting (Ticino), and they sent me reasonably detailed bicycle maps for free.

chrisch

A good starting place for Switzerland is the Cycling in Switzerland website. I've cycled through Switzerland multiple times, so just ask if you have any specific questions. Good luck with your planning! chris

Hocam

Wow this is great! Thanks for all your help guys.

Csson

If you are looking for information on passes: Virtual Alps has lots of pictures and profiles of almost every climb in Europe can be found here.

If you happen to be in eastern Italy, I can highly recommend a detour into Slovenia. Vršič is just beautiful..

JoeLonghair

When are you thinking of doing this. My freind and I are planning to cycle from Venice to London in last month of Aug 07. Maybe are paths can cross for a bit. I am planning to cross in through Stelivo pass. We are fully loaded as we wild camp whenever possible. It would be great to hear from some one who has done this route. Would like some details on millage done in a day etc.

paul2

Here's my travelogue of a ten day tour, starting in Lugano, Switzerland, going through northern Italy, and into Austria: https://www.roundtheworld.ca/other/alp.htm

jibi

https://www.trentobike.org/
for more travelogues

george

JoeLonghair

Here is my slide show of my trip in Italy ..... enjoy


https://s95.photobucket.com/albums/l1...%20Italy%2006/
Then click on View album as slideshow ...