Anybody Cycled around the Amalfi Coast

[Andrewdunn]

Hi there

I am heading out to Amalfi Coast in Italy in a week and have hired a (road) bike, as I am in training for a big cycle challenge in 3 weeks. Has anybody else cycled around this area and can give me a heads up on what it is like and offer any recommendations of routes and where to avoid etc.

Many thanks in advance

 

[andym]

If no one with direct experience comes along, an hour or two with Google Street view will give you a pretty good idea of what the area and roads are like.

Mid-July probably the roads will be busy.

My advice would be to get yourself a Touring Club Italiano 1:200,000 map of the aea and look for the scenic roads (marked in green Michelin-style).

Also you may well/probably will encounter tunnels. So carry a red blinky light (legally you're supposed to wear high-viz but almost no one does).

One possible route here:

http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileid=elkhpkizsaxwemyc

(source: http://www.bdc-forum.it/showthread.php?t=116077)

It might be worth checking out the vaporetto (boat services) to see whether you could ride somewhere and then catch a boat back.

 

[gavintc]

It is a great ride. I used to live in Naples and we used to go down there at least once a year for a spin along the Amalfi coast. I am not sure if you intend to do a circuit. The mountain over the landward end of the peninsula is decent mountain. The coast road has steady rises - nothing too steep or challenging. The traffic will be a pain, but just take is steady and you will enjoy it. Great views, lovely cafes - you will love it. And in my opinion, the drivers will generally give you more space than here in UK.

 

[lpretro1]

The traffic is completely barking. Be careful!