This year’s cyclist is next year’s angry motorist but I’m willing to let them have their day today, World Bicycle Day.
Because I used to be one, a lycrad-up pedal-pumping moraliser.
Even when I got waterbombed and party paint-sprayed while riding through Edinburgh.
You see the Mammal look is never a good image.
It doesn’t mean though that you can’t fake it.
As I did at the top of the most climbed peak in the Tour de France during my tour through the Pyrenees https://www.hautespyrenees.fr/ and The Lourdes prayer here.
By persuading a real cycling climber to lend me her bike.
I prefer the flat road these days and did get my chance to rotate the legs at the Campus in Quinta do Lago www.quintadolago.com and SPORTUGAL in Portugal.
Only to overplay it and come off at a corner in the woods…
Earlier on my adventures, in Cannes, I toyed with e-bikes http://www.mandelieu.com and The Boat D’Azur.
Only to move on and stall a Fiat 500 and not even get out of the car park!
Mind you as is the way of things and as the old saying goes:
You wait ages for an e-bike and two come along at the same time.
Enter a couple of my old favourites Italy https://www.visititaly.eu and Switzerland www.myswitzerland.com.
If there’s an area of Italy not worth exploring I haven’t found it although I am prepared to extend my travels beyond Padova – city of frescoes, Small roads lead to Rome and Rome on €50.
Lake Como has entranced visitors for centuries but have you tried it by bike, or e-bike?
The Lake Como Greenways snakes above picturesque villages.
While the Chilometro Della Conoscienza (open only on Sundays) allows explorers the chance to wander through the extraordinary gardens of Villa Olmo, Villa Sucota and Villa del Grumello.
Cyclists can enjoy various climbs that traverse tunnels left by the Italian army during the First World War.
With Alpine views stretching to Switzerland.
We’ll get onto Switzerland in a jiffy but you’ll be wanting to know where to stay in Lake Como.
The answer, if you don’t know George and Amal, is Grand Hotel Tremezzo.
It will reopen for the season on June 26th at a third capacity (30 out of 90 rooms).
As well as its five restaurants and three swimming pools looking out over the lake and natural park.
This year, the hotel team is launching the T Beach club – comprising a sandy beach with chic sun loungers and cocktail bar framing its floating swimming pool.
Rooms available from €550/approx. £497 per night + VAT; free cancellation up to eight days prior to arrival. For further enquires and bookings, visit www.grandhoteltremezzo.com.
Switzerland, you ask?
We’ll your favourite Travel blogger will always flag up the joys and efficiency of the Swiss train.
From where you can hop on and off to indulge your interest, be that skiing, walking, boating or cycling.
Or Trotti scooters which you can take through the woods and then onto the main road and race with Koreans.
Just don’t take the corners too quickly!
MEET YOU ON THE ROAD