Milan / Lake Como Info request.

[Ronl]

Hello,
Three of us are travelling to Milan in early may 2013. We plan to tour or stay in the lake Como area and are looking for advice from previous cyclist's who have done similar. We will likely use tourers but if we got static accommodation might consider lighter road bikes. We are there for five days and want to maximise riding.
Info on accommodation (basic but clean), routes (or indeed those to avoid), getting from Malpensa Airport, suggested maps etc. Any advice, suggestions etc are appreciated and welcome. I have cycled in Italy previously but further south.
Many thanks in anticipation.

[andymiller]

The Lago di Como is a fair distance from Malpensa (or at least it's on the wrong side of Milan). One option would be to pick up the ciclabile along the Grande Naviglio (a waterway) which would take you right into Milan where you could pick up a train. Alternatively you could get the train from Malpensa.

Personally, I'd go north along the Ticino to Sesto Calende on the Lago Maggiore, and then head for Menaggio on the Lago di Como going via Luino, Lugano (on the Lago Di Lugono) and Porlezza. Alternatively there's the Ciclovia dei Laghi which goes via Varese, Gallarate etc to Como.

Como has a youth hostel - but I expect you will need to book early.

Maps: the 200k Touring Club Italiano maps are (IMO) the best general maps, but in the lakes the 50k Kompass maps are very very useful. The Kompass maps are widely available, but the TCI maps are harder to find.

[bam]

And don't miss the cyclist's church, Madonna del Ghisallo, and the cyclist's museum beside it. The climb up from Bellagio is a tough one, but worth it and you'll get 'ciao' from the dozens of cyclists you'll meet on the way.

[andymiller]

And don't miss the cyclist's church, Madonna del Ghisallo, and the cyclist's museum beside it. The climb up from Bellagio is a tough one, but worth it and you'll get 'ciao' from the dozens of cyclists you'll meet on the way.

I second that (although you may have to be the one doing the greeting).

The Lariano triangle is possibly the best area for cycling. The northern shore is pretty good: the local authorities have restored the old lakeside roads as ciclabile so you can avoid all the tunnels. The eastern shore is a little problematic: there's a new fast superstrada (the SS36) which in theory is good news as it leaves the old road for us cyclists to enjoy con calma - but unfortunately the two roads join north of Lecco. You could however avoid this bit by getting a boat.

Bikes can travel on all of the boat services, not just the car ferries - providing there's enough space. It really is worth making use of the boats as many of the most beautiful villas are best viewed from the lake.

Be warned that the Lake Como area is pretty expensive - although there may be cheaper accommodation options in the hills. If you're on a budget, camping may be the way to go.

I wouldn't focus too narrowly on Lake Como - while it's very scenic and all that you might be better to spread your net more widely - there is some great riding to the east of the Lago Maggiore, and the Lago d'Orta is a gem.

[Ronl]

Guys,
Thanks for these useful replies. I have been looking at Maggiorie tonight and it does appeal. Accommodation is a concern and we may choose Hostels or camp but its more kit to carry tricky on Easyjet ! Once we identify routes to cycle we will fix ideas on accommodation options.
Really appreciated, thanks, Ron.

[alhall]

Hi I'm travelling to lake Como area next week and am hoping to hire a bike while I am there. I'll let you know how I get on. There does seem to be lower cost accommodation away from the lakeside. Here's some links for bike hire and apartment possibilities, I'll try and update when I return in November

www.comolagobike.com

http://www.milohouse.it
http://www.menaggio-apartments.com

[Ronl]

Thanks Alhall, the accommodation is much more reasonable. Would appreciate your 'report' when you return, fresh and current info.
Have a great time and take it all in. Regards, Ron.

[alhall]

HI Ron Back from Italy and it was great. Managed to hire a bike from Comolagobike.com for two days. They were great, many emails later and eventually met Luca on corner of a street in Como to pick up bike. Returned it to Carlo on Menaggio dock in the evening. Bike was a Fondriest FZ4 18 speed with sora compact. went up Passo di Agueglio. Accommodation was good and generally everybody you met in Italy was very friendly. Lots of cyclists about around the lake and elsewhere, Ferry fares cheap and buses to outlying villages etc. Any more info ask away regards allan

[alhall]

We flew into Bergamo airport which is only a 15min bus ride from Bergamo city with regular services from the airport. Looked easy to escape by bicycle into the hills beyond bergamo, All the mountain roads i rode or drove were very empty and generally surfaces were good although some of the higher roads had very badly damaged surfaces.
Another address for places to stay would be www,homeaway.co.uk, Also check out cyclingcols.com and climbbybike.com at least one of them has links to places to stay for cyclists.

[Ronl]

Alhall, sounds like you had a really good trip and a great place to visit. We are still researching accommodation although we have arrange some. Will visit the website's for more options. Thanks for taking the time to reply, any Further info or queries please post. Thanks, Ron.