When the Giro Comes to Town

Every year, we cross our fingers hoping the Giro d’Italia will pass through Lake Como—and this year, it did. It was pure excitement to see the pros take on some of our favorite local roads: the sweeping lakeside northeast stretch, the climb through Valsassina’s famed Cheese Valley, the dramatic descent into Lecco, and then a punchy ride over Monte Brianza—right near Luca’s hometown.
Stage 18 kicked off in Morbegno, sending the peloton on a fast roll down to Colico, where they picked up the scenic lake road heading south. From Colico to Bellano, the riders hugged the shoreline before turning inland for their first major climb: the ascent to Parlasco.
Several of our Bike It Bellagio groups had made the trip up to watch from this climb. As anyone who’s waited for the Giro knows, spectating isn’t passive—you’ve got to arrive early, soak up the atmosphere, and settle in for the build-up. One of our groups, visiting from Seattle, was guided by retired pro Alberto Elli. As they waited, Alberto entertained them over espresso with old racing stories, recalling breakaways and heartbreaks from his own days in the peloton.
Meanwhile, longtime friends of the shop, Caroline and Ollie (London), and Tom (Pennsylvania), made their annual pilgrimage for a weekend of riding. The Giro definitely influenced their timing. They reached Valsassina clad in Giro pink, in time to see the breakaway first—“they looked like shadows,” Caroline later said. Then came the lead group. And finally, the peloton. “It was like a freight train of color and sound. You feel it before you even see it,” she added.
We love seeing our riders out there on celeste Bianchis, part of the spectacle, soaking in cycling’s greatest show. If you missed the Giro this year, don’t worry--Il Lombardia is coming in 11 October 2025. Be sure to make your reservation early. The bikes are already booking. Or ask us to guide you up to the Cheese Valley and ride parts of this year’s Giro route yourself. You’ll understand why the pros come back year after year.

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