333simon666
New Member
Cycling from Genoa to Sicily, any tips? One concern - how are the backroads?
Italy
- Thread starter 333simon666
- Start date
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I've done a reasonable amount of cycling in Italy and never had any problems apart from self-inflicted ones such as inadequate maps. I had relied on getting them from petrol stations (water likewise) but they didn't stock everything as in the UK, Austria etc.
The maps weren't up to Michelin quality so it might be worth researching some suitable scale maps at Stanfords before you arrive.
Are you camping? The sites were up to usual continental standards but the most expensive I've found - up to 30 Euros. I expect they'll be cheaper further into the rural south.
Drivers and roads were fine but I only went about 50 miles south of Bologna so I don't know if the southern mentality differs.
The maps weren't up to Michelin quality so it might be worth researching some suitable scale maps at Stanfords before you arrive.
Are you camping? The sites were up to usual continental standards but the most expensive I've found - up to 30 Euros. I expect they'll be cheaper further into the rural south.
Drivers and roads were fine but I only went about 50 miles south of Bologna so I don't know if the southern mentality differs.
Haitch
Flim Flormally
- Location
- Netherlands
I've done a bit of cycling in Italy and never had any problems. Drivers are courteous and thoughtful (despite popular belief), backroads are generally direct, quiet and of very good quality, cities can be a bit busy (but that's the same the world over). The Italian version of the AA (the Touring Club Italiano) produces an excellent, three-volume set of roadmaps that will be available in any half-decent bookshop in Genoa, although the size may put you off.
A good way of cycling back would be to get the boat from Palermo to Sardinia, cycle across the island and then take the boat from Olbia (I think) to Genoa.
One word of warning, the south can get very hot in the afternoon. Temperatures above 40C are not unknown. If you're going in the summer, plan to get up early and spend several hours in the shade until the temperatures cool down again.
A good way of cycling back would be to get the boat from Palermo to Sardinia, cycle across the island and then take the boat from Olbia (I think) to Genoa.
One word of warning, the south can get very hot in the afternoon. Temperatures above 40C are not unknown. If you're going in the summer, plan to get up early and spend several hours in the shade until the temperatures cool down again.
Andy in Sig
Vice President in Exile
- Location
- Sigmaringen, Germany
There is a bike route called the ciclopista del solla (I'm sure the spelling's wrong on that) which goes from one end of the country to the other. It might be worth googling.
I think I was trying to post to this thread yesterday when the forum 'took a tea break'.
The Lonely Planet guide to Cycling in Italy is worth a look.
It's also worth consulting the Bicitalia site. It's in Italian (although there may be an English bit) but at the very least there is a network map.
The ciclopista del sole runs from the Dolomites before hitting the coast south of Livorno and then on to Sicily. There is a website. there is also a guidebook and maps, at least for part of the route, from ediciclo. Their postage rates are quite pricey, so unless you have a big order it's probably better to buy from a bookshop on the way.
The other route you might want to look at (at least for part of the way) is the Via dei Pellegrini which I think is more commonly known as the Via Francigena aka EuroVelo 6. There was a thread about this on Bikeradar recently with some useful links.
As well as Stanfords, I've always found www.themapshop.co.uk useful. Both have samples of the maps you can look at. Of course you could also get Garmin's CityNavigator Europe or their (pricey) 1:50k Italy Topo mapping.
The Lonely Planet guide to Cycling in Italy is worth a look.
It's also worth consulting the Bicitalia site. It's in Italian (although there may be an English bit) but at the very least there is a network map.
The ciclopista del sole runs from the Dolomites before hitting the coast south of Livorno and then on to Sicily. There is a website. there is also a guidebook and maps, at least for part of the route, from ediciclo. Their postage rates are quite pricey, so unless you have a big order it's probably better to buy from a bookshop on the way.
The other route you might want to look at (at least for part of the way) is the Via dei Pellegrini which I think is more commonly known as the Via Francigena aka EuroVelo 6. There was a thread about this on Bikeradar recently with some useful links.
As well as Stanfords, I've always found www.themapshop.co.uk useful. Both have samples of the maps you can look at. Of course you could also get Garmin's CityNavigator Europe or their (pricey) 1:50k Italy Topo mapping.
