Bike It! Bellagio Blog

by Casey Thompson  © 2019 Bike It! Bellagio
Bellagio is the ultimate location for cycling—the stunning scenery of Lake Como, the challenge of the mythical climbs nearby, and its many excellent restaurant and cafés immersed in its romantic atmosphere--will have you falling in love with our incredible cycling destination. You'll want to return to Bellagio every year.
        Bellagio is the ideal starting point for nearly any ride on Lake Como because its ferry terminal offers easy transport to nearly all the other towns on Lake Como, most importantly Cadenabbia and Menaggio, and Varenna: the car ferry ports on the Western and Eastern branches of the lake that you travel to with your bike. (*Cyclists with bikes must use the car ferry.) Bellagio has the only ferry terminal that goes to these other main ports directly! The 102nd Giro d’Italia is returning to Lake Como this May, and the annual Giro di Lombardia will take place October 12th. If you come to cycle during one of these event weekends, you're sure to have an unforgettable cycling holiday!
 
Where to Cycle
There are so many spectacular rides and routes that can originate from Bellagio, the number of cyclists coming to Bellagio continues to increase. When you come to Bellagio, you can experience several iconic climbs, such as the Madonna del Ghisallo, the Muro di Sormano, and many, many more.  The Bike It! Bellagio website lists more than 30 routes, including maps, distance, elevation, and points of interest. (Visit our shop, and we will share the GPX files to any of our routes without charge.)  Of course, if you are interested in joining a daily tour or want a custom tour, Bike It! Bellagio offers such options as well. We also rent Hammerhead Karoo GPS devices if you want to try different routes at your own pace. (We upload the GPX files for our routes to the Karoos too.)
 
Where to Eat and Drink
Food, drink, and gelato are always on the mind of cyclists (right?). If you are staying in Bellagio, you must check out the many different and delicious places to fuel or recover from your rides! Let us know what direction you are headed, and we can make some recommendations for you.

Breakfast and Coffee (Colazione e caffè)
Pasticceria Sancassani - The cutest little pastry shop and café nestled in the neighborhood of Visgnola above Bellagio. It's a nice 10-minute walk along a cobblestone path from our shop. You must try one of their fresh homemade brioches with a cappuccino, as well as try one of their many pastries (our favorite are the cannoncini!) Indulge yourself! Looking for an afternoon treat post-ride on a hot day? Go for their "crema di caffe'" or a gelato!
Bar Pasticceria Rossi - This bar is an authentic lakeside spot in downtown Bellagio where you can grab a fresh pastry and coffee before heading on your day's adventures. It's also a classic hangout for an aperitivo in the evening!

Lunch (Pranzo)
Marco Benzina - Marco is our legendary next door neighbor! If you join one of our group tours, you'll have the opportunity to try Marco's delicious pizza, piadine, foccaccia, and many other signature creations as part of the post-ride lunch. Lunch at Marco's is exactly the "off the beaten" path experience you are looking for. (Marco doesn't have a website, this is truly the locals' place!)
Trattoria Baita Belvedere - This charming, authentic, back-country restaurant is located about 4km up the road toward Ghisallo, boasts incredible panoramic views of Lake Como, and offers local, rustic dishes that you can't find elsewhere in Bellagio. Try their Poltenta Uncia and Pizzocherri and go for the mixed appetizer. Dessert? Gelato with their freshly picked berries from their farm.  :-) This is the perfect place to stop for lunch when descending from the Ghisallo. They also offer a free shuttle to and from Bellagio for dinner reservations!
Far Out - Just as the name implies, this restaurant offers some different dishes--something out there! Located in downtown, Far Out offers a variety of tasty dishes, ranging from classic Italian specialties to local delicacies. Refuel after your ride with some pasta or ravioli and then try a "fritto misto" to satisfy your taste buds.
​Ristorante Silvio - Try one of Bellagio's signature dishes here: Risotto con pesce persico. Silvio offers a wide array of lake fish platters that will give you a taste of Lake Como, literally. Visit this award-winning restaurant for a perfect ending to your ride or before you go out in the afternoon to be fueled by fish.

Dinner (Cena)
La Fontana - In downtown Bellagio, about mid-way along one of the farthest set of steps, La Fontana offers a quaint and welcoming atmosphere. The owners are two brothers who will make sure you enjoy the best dish for you based on your preferences. You must try their pistachio soufflé for dessert (imagine next level, Italian-style lava cake!
Ittiturismo Mella - "From the fish net to the pan", you will eat freshly caught lake fish at Mella! Located in the San Giovanni neighborhood, this family-owned restaurant is lakeside and has a homey atmosphere, as it's all related to their hobby, passion, and profession of la pesca or fishing on Lake Como. Try their daily menu deal where you get a full menu trying all sorts of lake fish for a great price! Did you know that their family dog "Ice" was featured it the Netflix series "Dogs"? Check it out! 
La Punta - Located where the three branches of Lake Como meet, also known as the "Y" of the lake, or la punta, the point, where Bellagio juts out, giving Lake Como it's upside down "Y" shape. The perfect place for a romantic dinner, it has a sophisticated and calm atmosphere, as you sit with a beautiful view of the lake before you, while enjoying some freshly caught fish!
Le Darsene di Loppia - A picturesque restaurant setting in Loppia, a tiny neighborhood next to Bellagio will leave you enchanted by its peaceful and dreamy ambiance and even more so by its delicately crafted dishes where you'll savor every bite. 
*Keep in mind, many restaurants are closed 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. and some are closed on unusual days. Be sure to check their websites for such information.
 
Where to Stay
There are many hotels in Bellagio, but there are also many apartment options and B&B’s, which offer a more personal setting to experience the local Italian culture. Contact us with your accomodation needs, and we'll make some suggestions to help you find the best place for your stay.
 
To See and Do in Bellagio
Whether you’re having a rest day or traveling with a partner who doesn’t cycle, there are plenty of things to do in or near Bellagio.
Shopping: Downtown Bellagio's stairways and little narrow streets are full of shops, cafés, and restaurants. You won't have any trouble finding a souvenir or a special keepsake item from one of the many local artisans our boutiques to remember your trip to Lake Como! Remember that Lake Como is famous for silk, so be sure to take a look at those shops!
Churches: Bellagio and its surrounding neighborhoods have several churches! Make a nice walk/hike out of it and visit them all in one day! The area churches are S. Maria di Loppia, S. Maria Annunciata di Breno, San Giacomo, San Giorgio, San Martino,  and San Giovanni.
Villa Melzi Gardens: Take a peaceful walk through these gardens, stop and smell the flowers and enjoy being on vacation, take in the moment!
Kayak & SUP - A must-do activity when in Bellagio! Michele is a former professional rower and an all-around awesome person who will guide you on a memorable tour on Lake Como! Join one of his kayak tours or arrange a stand-up paddleboarding session with him, you'll have so much fun!
Wakeboarding - Hit up Club Morgan in Lezzeno for your extreme watersport needs! They have wakeboarding, waterskiing, wakesurfing, and canoeing! Be sure to reserve their equipment ahead of time. 
Hiking - Lake Como is an incredible place for hiking, there are so many old mule tracks and horse trails, as well as man-made paths immersed in the woods. The many Pre-Alp mountaintops offer postcard-perfect, breathtaking views over Lake Como. Come see us for some suggestions! From Bellagio, you must go to Mt. San Primo, and from Menaggio to Mt. Grona--our two favorites!
Swimming - Any triathletes out there? The best open-water swimming spots are from San Giovanni's beach (via alla spiaggia) or from Pescallo Bay. Onno is also a great spot, which you can reach by car or bike of course! 
San Giovanni is the best free beach in Bellagio to put down a towel and relax, or take a dip in the lake!
Navigational Instruments Museum - A nice place to visit and learn about tools and instruments used for navigation over the waters. It's open 10:00 to 13:00.
Villa Serbelloni Walking Tour - Offered twice daily, this tour takes you to see the Villa Serebelloni Gardens and now Rockefeller Center property. Learn about some of Bellagio's aristocratic history.
Lido di Bellagio - Bellagio's beach club is a great place for people of all ages to hang out and enjoy the lake by day or night, listening to good music, dancing, and having a great time!

Day Trips
      Day trips to other places by ferry:

• Varenna: Castello di Vezio, Villa Monastero, The "romantic walkway" along the lake, turn right off the ferry and head into downtown.
• Menaggio: Rif Menaggio-Mt. Grona Hike: This is EPIC!
• Cadenabbia: San Martino Hike, Villa Carlotta, Greenway
• Lenno: Villa Balbianello, Lenno outdoor market (every Tuesday morning)

      If you are interested in cycling in Bellagio, visit our website to learn about the many routes. Contact us with your questions. We would love to help you with your cycling trip here, as we think it is the most beautiful place in the world to cycle!

by Casey Thompson  © 2019 Bike It! Bellagio
​We're nearly one month away from opening for the 2019 season. We are excited to share some new things that we have in store for this season: new bikes (2019 Bianchis), new rental accessories (power meters and Karoo GPSs), new routes, and a new weekly shop ride schedule!

        You can now rent one of our Karoo Cycling GPS by Hammerhead. We have preloaded all Bike It! routes on the GPSs, and we can upload other routes of your choice based on your riding needs and wishes. We have also inserted many points of interest (POIs) to make it easier for you to find the gelato shops, or restaurants and cafes we tell you about! The touch screen is nice and visible, and the maps are clear and easy to follow. These GPSs will be a great addition for those renting MTBs, as Karoo's trails are also mapped very well. No more getting lost in the woods! And of course you can still see all of your riding stats such as distance, speed, elevation, etc. 
        Speaking of stats … what's missing? Watts! Great news for the data-driven cyclists--we now have power meters available for our road rentals! We offer the Stages Cycling Left Crankarm meter. It can easily be connected with any bluetooth device (including our GPS rentals), as well as switched from one bike to another. We have power meters available in 170mm and 172.5mm crankarm lengths. Add a GPS or Power Meter to your rental order here!

Try our GPS rental on one of our new routes! We say it all the time, you can spend a month or more on Lake Como and never repeat the exact same ride … there are so many possibilities! We've added three new rides to our routes list: 1 easy, 1 medium, and 1 challenging. Check them out!
Pedalata Porlezza (perfect for families and e-bikes!)
Torchio di Palanzo (an out-and-back ride to one of the oldest towns in the area)
Val Cavargna (a route for those who like to climb)
We'll be going to some of these less explored places/routes on some of our weekly shop rides--another new plan we have for this year. 
        From April to September, nearly every Sunday we are running a shop ride, departing from our shop at 8:30am. Our shop rides are for visiting road cyclists as well as Italian locals who want to explore and ride in different areas together. We have created ride levels to give you an idea of pace and difficulty for each ride, as well as an event for each ride on Strava. Because we are running these rides to promote cycling camaraderie (no cost), we just ask that you bring euros for ferry tickets and coffee/food if we stop You can sign up via e-mail or Strava!
        We look forward to riding with you this season!

by Dan Merlino (guest blogger)  © 2019 Bike It! Bellagio
At first, I wasn’t sure I wanted to go. The previous year we had done a tremendous tour with TriLakeComo around Como and then over to the Italian Alps to ride up the iconic Stelvio and Gavia passes--great guides, wonderful food, fantastic routes! But Rome to the Ghisallo was a 6-day pilgrimage from Rome to Como, over 500 miles with lots of climbing. Daunting! However, I love Casey and Luca and their team, so I put my faith in them. That was the right call.
           The trip was spectacular. The ride started with a blessing by a priest at the Vatican and ended with a peal of bells and a welcome blessing at the bike chapel on top of Il Ghisallo! How can anything go wrong when you have divine intervention! The trip went so smoothly, perhaps because it was so well planned, with top-of-the-line Bianchi bikes, great scenery, wonderful hotels, and excellent food! All we had to do was train.

          The route was epic. Bellisima! The beautiful walled city of Siena was magical. Pisa’s Leaning Tower automatically made you tilt your head. Only in Italy! And then a very backdoor, intimate ride into the Cinque Terre. We even stopped at the Bianchi factory for a visit along the final stage to see their incredible attention to quality in production.
 
Trip Highlights

• Our guardian angel, Casey, staying out in front of all the logistics, trading out parts, confirming reservations, calling ahead to get anything requested by the riders along the way.
• Luca always riding up front, no matter the weather, with “Super Mario” pulling anybody (and sometimes everybody) from the back.
• Farmlands on the way to Siena--looked like a painting!
• Climbing above and then descending into the iconic Cinque Terre. Not so much climbing out.
• The food! Especially the dinners, and especially, especially the meal at the restaurant in Monterosso. Deliziosa!
• Luca and Casey’s friends creating a ride stop, complete with food, snacks, and beer (beer!), just before our last long climb up Il Ghisallo.
• The ringing of the bells from the bike chapel at the top of Il Ghisallo.
• A party afterward in Bellagio that included the whole team, Luca’s family, and all of their friends.  By the end we felt like family.

          This was one of the great trips of my life. I would do it again, and again. Thank you so much, Casey, Luca, Super Mario, Roberto, and Andrea!

by Casey Thompson and Luca Negri  © 2018 Bike It! Bellagio
Bike It! Bellagio is selling its fleet of Bianchi bikes from the summer 2018 rental season. (As we are purchasing new bikes for our 2019 season!) All bikes are 2018 models and were used for 7 months. All bikes will be checked out, tuned up, and washed prior to the sale, of course.
     Bike models for sale include the following:

All bikes are will be available for purchase beginning October 27, 2018. Purchasers who plan to pick up their bike in person at Bike It! Bellagio must submit a nonrefundable 50% deposit to reserve the bike until October 27, with the remainder of payment due at time of pickup. Purchasers who would like their bikes to be shipped must remit full payment (bike price and shipping) prior to shipping. Each bike comes with its Bianchi manual. All sales are final.
     Please call (+39 334 975 1604) or email (info@bikeitbellagio.com) with questions or to purchase your 2018 Bianchi! ​

by Casey Thompson  © 2018 Bike It! Bellagio
We just returned from a week-long trip to the Alps with some strong riders from the States and Canada. This is our third trip to the Alps with touring cyclists, and each time it just gets better sharing the climbs along these iconic passes. The Alps aren’t as far away from Lake Como as one may think. Bormio is just a 3-hour drive! If you have a week or two for a cycling holiday, Lake Como and Bormio make the perfect match for an unforgettable trip. Start in Bellagio with us and warm up along some pre-Alpine climbs and lakeside rolling roads, before heading to the giants northeast of Lake Como. Much of Italy’s cycling history lies between us and Bormio. It’s a great way to relive some epic Giro d’Italia and Giro di Lombardia moments with your own eyes, doing the climbs yourself! Check out some pictures below:

Passo dello Stelvio: 2,747m a.s.l., it's the highest paved mountain pass in the Eastern Alps! Seeing all the switchbacks you climb from above is certainly a great feeling. And we were fortunate to find a pro Bianchi team rider at the top!

Torri di Fraele & Laghi di Cancano: This quiet and gentle climb takes riders to the 13th century fortress tower ruins (the tower served as a border between the valleys of Bormio and Engadina)  and the artifical lakes of Cancano, part of a hydroelectric plant. 

Passo Gavia: Another of one of the highest paved passes in the Alps. At 2,651m a.s.l. it's often the "Cima Coppi" in the Giro d'Italia.

Passo del Mortirolo: Also known as the "Cima Pantani", this climb is also featured often in the Giro...and it's one the hardest climbs you'll ever do...we can testify!

OFF THE BIKE:
Bagni Vecchi: The "ancient" bathes of Bormio
Bagni Nuovi: The "new"/modern thermal bathes and spa
Hiking Paradise!
Livigno: Duty-free shopping town in the heart of the Alps ... also great for anything outdoors! Stay a night, like we did, then climb the Bernina and Forcola Passes!

by Luca Negri  © 2018 Bike It! Bellagio
My pilgrimages, or pellegrinaggi, to Rome have been not just a physical challenge, but a spiritual journey as well. I've cycled from Lecco to Rome, Italy—a 450-mile trip—four times so far. The first time, I was just 15 years old, cycling with my father, brother, and some friends from my small town of Castello di Brianza in northern Italy. We were cycling to Rome for the Jubilee in 2000, and we brought a plaque with us to gift to the Pope. The 2000 trip was also the only time that I returned to Lecco from Rome by bicycle. 

by Casey Thompson © 2018 Bike It! Bellagio
Great news for tourists! As a non-EU tourist, you are eligible for tax reimbursements (a rebate). Specifically, residents of all countries are eligible for these “tax-free services” (except Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Monaco, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden).
     We are happy to share that Bike It! Bellagio is registered for “tax-free service.” What does this mean? When you buy any physical good for personal or family use, the purchase price includes the Italian VAT (IVA) of 22%. The “tax-free service” is actually a tax rebate of 12.7%, more than half of the 22% IVA. To obtain this rebate, request an invoice from any tax-free store during your stay and then bring it to Customs upon your departure. Here are the details:
(1)      Purchase goods of your choice at a tax-free store (like ours!). The total value of goods purchased must amount to a minimum total of €154.94 to be eligible for the service (the total includes tax, the IVA). Remember, this total value must only include goods.
(2)      The goods you purchased must be returning with you to your home country within 3 months of the date of purchase. (*Pack your items at the top of your suitcase, in case you are chosen for a random control check.)
(3)      Ask for a detailed invoice with the tax-free sticker and form from our store. We will provide you with both of these documents in an envelope to take with you to the airport. This document will specify how much of the total value is tax (IVA). (We will need a passport and credit card number to complete these forms. The credit card is necessary, even for cash purchases, because the rebate will be posted to your credit card account.)
(4)      When checking in for you flight at the airport, tell the airline representative at the counter that you have tax-free items to claim in Customs. You will be directed to the tax-free office where you will present your invoice and receipts. The tax-free representative will stamp your form, then you can post the form in the prepaid envelope in a mailbox at the airport (or even back in your home country). *The envelopes are prepaid, so you will not need postage stamps.
(5)      Within 1 month (ideally), you will receive the tax reimbursement posted to your credit card account. The total reimbursement will amount to 12.7% of the total you paid.
      You may be wondering why the reimbursement is made by credit card and not in cash at the airport. Getting your reimbursement in cash is inconvenient, as you would receive euros and not your home currency, thus waiting for the credit card reimbursement is the preferred way to obtain your tax rebate.
      If you would like to order a Bianchi bike from Bike It! Bellagio to take home with you after your stay, know that you will receive a rebate of 12.7% on the total purchase price. This 12.7% is significant savings, especially on new bikes!
 
What to Know When Buying a Bianchi in Italy
 If you are interested in ordering a new Bianchi with us to take home with you after your stay and take advantage of the tax-free service, we recommend the following:
 ·         Research the frame geometry and know your size before ordering. You can also send us your measurements for suggestions. Order your bike with us at least 1 month in advance of your arrival date.
 ·         Know the cost of transporting a bike with your airline company. Depending on the airline company and where you’re flying, this cost typically ranges from 50 to 200 euro. If you purchase your bike from Bike It! Bellagio, we will provide a heavy-duty cardboard bike box, which includes several protective covers inside the box.
 ·         Notify your local bike shop that you will need to assemble your new bike and ask for a price. Bike shops typically assemble a bike for $85-$100 in the U.S., depending on the shop and type of bike. 

Many athletes, at all levels, are Strava users. Strava—the “social network for athletes”—has become one of the most popular activity tracking applications since its launch in 2009. A type of social network, Strava allows users to share their rides, runs, hikes, swims, ski sessions … and so much more. I got on Strava in 2013, and I think it is one of the best apps for athletes around the world. Its idea of segments and challenges motivates many people to improve in their sport, as well as just get outside and have fun! In addition to using Strava for accomplishing segments or seeing how many minutes or seconds I am off a QOM or PR, I especially like Strava because it allows me to connect with other cyclists, runners, triathletes, and seeing their maps and photos of their typical rides or where they’re travelling! I like seeing where other people train, as it gives me an idea of what their terrain is like, and the photos let me see the beauty where they live. Our world is beautiful (especially Lake Como, Italy!), and there’s SO much to be explored. When I travel, I use Strava to look up popular rides or runs for the area. It’s a great tool that allows you to make your sport a part of your vacation time.
​

by Luca Negri  © 2018 Bike It! Bellagio
Cycling has always played a part in the Casa Don Guanella of Lecco on Lake Como, as the community director, Don Agostino Frasson (Father Agostino), is an avid cyclist himself. As many of you may know, I worked for the Casa Don Guanella community in Lecco for 8 years, and still today I feel a part of this community and now continue to volunteer and give my support. I am on the Granfondo Don Guanella race committee, using my territorial knowledge and helping with route planning and other organizational aspects.

     I remember when I began working for Don Agostino and going for out for our first, long bike rides during our free time. There were only a few of us in the beginning, but every year, more cyclists joined the group. Still today, the number of cycling friends in “Don’s group” continues to increase.
     Don Agostino’s passion for cycling is infectious and his ability to promote that passion in other cyclists and cycling fans is inspiring. As he often says, “la bicicletta e’ un mezzo di evangelizzazione!” (the bicycle is a means of evangelism!”). Surrounding him is a growing community of cyclists from the region, where cycling is a beloved and highly practiced sport, representing the spirit of the area’s population. What at first seemed unrealistic, is now becoming a reality: the Don Guanella farmstead, and soon-to-be Agribike (agritourism), is under construction, thanks to the volunteer work and help from many of the community’s supporters.​

     It is from this spirit—to ride and work hard for yourself but also for others—that the idea for the Granfondo Don Guanella was born. All registration proceeds go toward the continued construction and improvements on the Cascina Don Guanella and AgriBike, a structure that will be a touristic reference point for cyclists and cycling fans. Its location in Valmadrera is easily accessible to the Triangolo Lariano as well as the eastern branch of Lake Como—both areas offer incredible cycling routes and destinations. Even more so, the Cascina and Agribike is an agricultural and social project for the welcoming, care, education, and insertion of alienated teenagers in the workforce in the sectors of agriculture and tourism.
     The Granfondo Don Guanella is a novelty within the granfondo circuits for two main reasons: (1) its value in the cycling community of Lake Como and (2) it is the first-ever granfondo event where all proceeds go to charity. Plan to join us this May pedaling along some of the most historic roads that play a huge role in Italian cycling today.
     The first race edition—October 8th, 2017—was a huge success: there were nearly 1,200 participants in the race, 800 of them attending the after party at the Cascina Don Guanella (current farmstead and future AgriBike). There were nearly 150 volunteers along the route, and several champions participated as well, supporting and promoting the event many months prior. The second edition will take place on May 27th, 2018, with the goal to continue the development of this social agricultural project-Cascina Don Guanella-dedicated to the youth in need.

Many promotional events led up to the race, featuring many champions and famous figures from the cycling world—like Cadel Evans, Alex Zanardi, Felice Gimondi, Gianni Bugno, Claudio Chiappucci, Gianbattista Baronchelli, Alessandro Ballan, Maurizio Fondriest, and many more—as well as important locals and other famous athletes.
     The second annual Granfondo Don Guanella is here! Mark your calendars for May 27, 2018! This year’s event will take us to the mythical Ghisallo, as the cyclists will ride through fascinating and picturesque towns of Lake Como, like the famous Bellagio, known as the “pearl of the lake,” and Lecco. Ride with us and several champions to enjoy the solidarity among cyclists, the beauty of Lake Como, and the history of cycling, all while supporting the Cascina Don Guanella and AgriBike projects.
​     Support with your sport! Register today! www.granfondodonguanella.it
​ 2018 Granfondo Route 
     * I want to thank Vittorio Mevio, president and race organizer of the main gran fondo circuit in Italy, GS Alpi. He has given so much to the Don Guanella community—his experience and his work—to make the Granfondo Don Guanella a reality all for charity. I thank him for the opportunity to be on the race committee.