Bike It! Bellagio, Bellagio

A day that we will remember forever! Our guide Gabriela was outstanding. He was approachable, friendly, kind and peaceful. We met at the bike shop which is an easy walk from downtown Bellagio. E bikes were in excellent condition and easy to maneuver if you have never tried one. The tour was an all day ride that ended at a gorgeous winery. We are moderate bikers and it was perfect. We rode on all types of terrain; street, along the lake, thru neighborhoods, on some gravel and some dirt roads. All parts were accessible, yet with each change of scenery it felt like a new ride. Gabriela stopped to point out some historical and also local points of interest. The winery was picturesque and Silvia (the wine maker) (who’s smile lit up the room) provided a wine tasting and lunch that was delicious in a relaxed atmosphere. This tour is the best part of our trip in Bellagio! Truly outstanding! Thank you Casey and Bike It Bellagio!

We were so glad to discover Bike It Bellagio! and experience the phenomenal cycling network in the Lake Como region. We rented two Bianchi road bikes from the shop which is conveniently located just outside of the center of Bellagio (and walking distance from town) on the route to the famed Madonna di Ghisallo, and everything was ready for us when we arrived at the shop. We just brought our road pedals from home, they installed them quickly, and off we went on our first of many adventures. Luca and Casey, the delightful Italian-American couple who founded the shop , are expert road, gravel and mountain cyclists; Casey’s a triathlete too, and they know hundreds of scenic, challenging or mellow routes in the Lake Como region. If you’re independent and adventurous, they’re happy to share GPX files for you to navigate. They also offer guided rides and supported trips too which sound very tempting. One of our favorite routes they recommended began with a short ferry ride from Bellagio to Caddenabia where we tackled a few challenging climbs en route to Lugano in Switzerland, then hugged the north shore of Lake Lugano to return to the ferry and back to Bellagio. We did the Ghisallo climb twice and took the easier main road Colma da Sormano to avoid the super tough Muro di Sormano. If you’re a cycling couple with mismatched abilities, Bike It Bellagio! also rents ebikes and this is a great way to experience the beauty of the area without stressing about the hills. The shop specializes in Bianchis and has a very nice selection of Italian cycling apparel and components too. It’s very easy to find apartments to rent in Bellagio and it’s a perfect spot for a cycling vacation. Next time we’d stay a month or more instead of just a week because there are so many roads we did not get to ride and there are so many villages and places to explore all over the Lake Como region. We look forward to our next trip and getting more great ride recommendations from Casey and Luca. Highly recommend!