In today’s video I travel to Italy, where Nicola one of the family owners of Garda Bike Hotel, encourages me to try something completely new! Gravel – beautiful white gravel a la Strade Bianche! Plus some off road action and exploration on the hotel’s Pinarello Grevil Bikes. It being Italy, we take care to also explore some of the beautiful local medieval towns and villages (Borghetto, Volta Mantovana and the Gonzaga Palace, plus Valeggio Sun Mincio and the Castello Scaligero). The regions of Verona and Lombardy are as ever magnificent – laying on evocative autumn mists and leaves, to compliment the white gravel, vineyards and decaying medieval architecture. I discover why gravel is a lot of fun !!
This is not a paid promotion, but I am very grateful to Nicola and Garda bike hotel for making me feel so welcome once again, and it would be remis of me not to mention that Garda Bike Hotel is also organising a wonderful package to travel to Tuscany in early March to explore the area, sample the food and wine, and then watch the pros ride the Strada Bianche on the Saturday 5th March followed by taking part in the Strada Bianche Gran Fondo on Sunday the 6th March, using the hotel’s Pinarello Grevil bikes !!
www.gardabikehotel.com
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25 Comments
If you catch the gravel bug and purchase/borrow a gravel bike, you'll need to gravel and road up to yorkshire👍. Also, if you do make a purchase, make sure tyre clearance can go up to 46mm, and make sure gear ratio is at least 1-1: but preferably even lower. You dont need to spend silly money. An aluminium frame with grx groupset would be more than suitable.
Adventures of a lifetime …
Eventually Cape Town should get on your bucket list !
gravel is the most promising cycling innovation: no traffic, durable titanium bikes, far from the madding crowd and all that; & not one sir norman foster monstrosity to spoil the scenery.
wandering off subj, recommend a spot of italian neo-realism: fellini’s “la strada” & visconti’s “ossessione” (former in the criterium edition if you can get it).
You’re a cyclocross natural Mr Lovett… look forward to seeing bike racing without mercy vs cross race 😂 but what an amazing ride, looked epic 😃
Phil Van Der Lovett, the next big CX sensation out of Flanders.
P.s. come down to Wiltshire, the Salisbury Plain is gravel heaven.
Final proof that the world has turned upside down. Phill BRWM on gravel. I never thought I would see the day 😉 Before we know it you'll be entering Cyclocross races, bunny hoping and hoping on and off the bike. 😁 Seriously though Phill it looked an awesome place to ride in great company.
Great video Italy looks unreal. I’m doing Strade bianche in March n can’t wait 👍
I‘ve become a huge fan of gravel riding and it’s nice to see you’re dabbling too. We’re going back to Tuscany again next summer and I’m not sure which bike I’ll be taking. This years choice was my road bike, but next year… 🤷♂️ Tuscany gravel might just sway me and take me to the dark side.
Beautiful as always, and that type of easy, smooth off-road I can get behind! Looks cold though, very cold!
9:51 x'D I'd say you chose the tight thing not to learn, Phil! #DontTextAndCycle 😛
What a cool trip! Something we can only dream of down here in the Antipodes. I'm hoping to pick up a new Giant Revolt in Feb 22. Would you consider buying a new gravel bike Phil and if so what would pique your interest? Also just wondering, are you self employed by any chance? If not you have a very obliging boss! 😉
I bet off road is difficult while holding a phone haha. Lovely heart-warming video to start the day while eating breakfast, thanks
Italy is such a beautiful country, love the balance of picturesque old towns and lovely natural scenery. Hope you had a great time Phill, the beauty of gravel is you can see even more stuff by bike, and thus spend even more time cycling! Love it.
Stunning! I love Italy!
I really enjoy riding gravel, cyclocross is very big in southern ontario and one can traverse great distances on decommissioned rail tracks. It is very fun. A word of caution…it is VERY addictive LOL
Thank you Phil, absolutely excellent video dude. You rode well again. Places and views are perfect Phil. Especially the last lake view and music. Awesome. See you again mate. Have fun. 👏🚴♂️💪
Mama mia, fantastico Phil 👌
I love those Bike Touring With Appreciation videos ! Perfect bike for those roads, sightseeing over pure speed. Having your fitness allows your mind to appreciate the surroundings without watching numbers. Using the rollers was very beneficial to your balancing skills, what an improvement ! Loved your smile when you passed by the gate at 16:40 ! Very nice video again – well done team 👌
They do a great job up at Garda Bike Hotel. I'd love to develop something similar in Chianti, Tuscany as we have incredible diversity…. including the Strade Bianchi roads!
Looked fun Phill, thanks for sharing 👍
Beautiful Place … looks like you had a great time
Thanks for the great video, Phil!
Good company, eats, drink and scenery Phil, that is a great ride!
Gravel riding without mercy next time you visit Exmoor Phill 😉
Looked a lovely chilled ride. Something a bit different for you Phil. That hotel looks the business will have to check this out.
Lots of these kind of routes near me. I've also signed up for my first gravel event…the dirty riever…what have I gotten myself into haha.
All that roller practice has paid off Phil 👌those quiet white roads looked beautiful and very relaxing 😌 😎