The Perfect Cycling Destination Everyone’s Missing

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  • Опубліковано 15 гру 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 174

  • @gcn
    @gcn  Місяць тому +29

    What's your dream cycling holiday? 🤔 Would you love to visit the Bassano Club House? 🔥

    • @kippen64
      @kippen64 Місяць тому +1

      Absolutely I'd like to go!!!

    • @RodrigoDeJaneiro
      @RodrigoDeJaneiro Місяць тому

      Looks like heaven… better than Girona ?

    • @bremnet1812
      @bremnet1812 Місяць тому

      I would definitely LOVE to visit. I'd even bring my Basso bike. Just so it could ride on the soil of the motherland!

    • @questgivercyradis8462
      @questgivercyradis8462 Місяць тому

      Darn you guys, adding more places to my cycling wishlist!
      I recently put the EV6 River Route on my cycling wishlist. Looks like a heck of a good time!

    • @OperationDarkside
      @OperationDarkside Місяць тому

      Bikepacking and glamping in a moderately hilly area with nice vistas

  • @Benemax
    @Benemax Місяць тому +24

    My wife and I used to run a cycling specific B&B in Campolongo sul Brenta which is 7km north of Bassano. We were there for 12yrs so know the area very well. The amount of fantastic routes are unbelievable. Apart from Grappa you have climbs like Foza, Castello Tesino, Barricata and so many more. The riding on the Altipiano Asiago is just breathtaking! We usually had guests staying for a week and you could take them on a different ride every day and still have rides left over for their return visiy, which they often did. I'm back in the UK now and miss Bassano every day.

  • @BruceGrant-h3e
    @BruceGrant-h3e Місяць тому +9

    Summer 23 did a 2 week Alps dream self guided trip Sella Ronda, Stelvio, Gavia, Santesch, Furka, Tremola, (Telegraphe) Galibier, Alpe d'Huez, Ventoux, Col de la Colombiere, Col d'Izoard, and the most epic lesser known Colle del Nivolet... stunning. I trained hard for that trip. Came home on cloud nine only to get diagnosed with throat cancer. I'm back cancer free now and can't wait to get to the Pyrenees. Thanks to GCN, Mike Cotty, and Simon Warren for the inspiration.

    • @Davidooooooooooo
      @Davidooooooooooo Місяць тому

      You spoiled all the great picks by doing that all at once lol.

    • @BruceGrant-h3e
      @BruceGrant-h3e Місяць тому +1

      @@Davidooooooooooo I'm happy I did ... timing is everything. If I got cancer before maybe I would have never done that trip

  • @lucameneghetti03
    @lucameneghetti03 Місяць тому +40

    Nice video, I live about 30k from Bassano, and that zone is really packed of wonderful places. Just be careful when planning your ride. In some parts of the day the traffic is insane and most of the car drivers have just zero respect for cyclists... The route they did is really nice.

  • @AQUPAS
    @AQUPAS Місяць тому +41

    GCN never disappoints with these surprise uploads! Beautiful route and scenery you showed us! Definitely looks like cycling heaven to me! Cheers boys!

    • @gcn
      @gcn  Місяць тому +6

      Glad you enjoyed it! We struggled to get the guys to come home

    • @AQUPAS
      @AQUPAS Місяць тому +2

      @@gcn 😄 I can totally see why!

    • @mommamooney
      @mommamooney Місяць тому

      @@gcnI can imagine. Sunny and warm vs cold, dark, and rainy

  • @kstew_co
    @kstew_co Місяць тому +22

    When I was in Ortisei, Italy a few weeks ago, I was talking with a local. When he was a kid, he'd ride from Ortisei in the alps and all the way down through this region down to Venice and back up to Ortisei in two days. Seems like the dream.

    • @gcn
      @gcn  Місяць тому

      We loved our time there!

  • @jharricam
    @jharricam Місяць тому +10

    Nice to see Basso get some love

  • @julianallen515
    @julianallen515 Місяць тому +4

    This is perfect timing, I am visiting a friend of mine who lives in BAssano next year and only this morning we confirmed dates! I'm heading to Como, from Canada, to watch Il Lombardia and then to BAssano to stay at the clubhouse, ride Monte Grappa, la Tisa and the Diesel farm with Filippo. Good times.

  • @GrumpyOldMan-pk3mg
    @GrumpyOldMan-pk3mg Місяць тому +16

    That’s not a video it’s a collection of images that would not look out of place in a photography book, stunning. So jealous.

    • @gcn
      @gcn  Місяць тому

      You are not wrong! So much beauty in one place

  • @duanebosch9508
    @duanebosch9508 Місяць тому +6

    My better half and I went to Bassano in 2017 after watching a Col Collective video. Flew from Cape Town. to Venice. Caught a commuter train to Bassano. The roads were AMAZING!! and relatively quiet.
    Monte Grappa is brutal. We rode the easy ascent from Romano d Eselina and it was tough but amazing. Highly recommended.
    We also did a ride up the river to Lago di Corlo and a ride up to Tortima and around and down to Marostica.
    We did an airbnb within walking distance of the bridge. It's not a mega touristy area so quite affordable. If you're a strong climber this is a great riding trip.
    There's 3 roads to the top of Ventoux. There's 10 to the top of Grappa.

    • @gx88vi
      @gx88vi Місяць тому +1

      Well but that side is the worst! 😅 you should ride the Grappa from Semonzo

  • @TheBigCK510
    @TheBigCK510 Місяць тому +2

    A treat of a video. I bought my first proper road bike in 1993. It was a Basso road frame with a Shimano Ultegra groupset. Alas, I no longer have the bike. The frame was a size too small, so I traded it out several years later for a Lemond Zurich (which I still own!). I never knew the history of Basso bikes until seeing this video. It brought back great memories of riding my beautiful, albeit small, Basso. Also, I couldn't take my eyes off Alex's orange and pink shoes during the gravel ride. We need a product plug on those kicks. Thanks GCN!

    • @gcn
      @gcn  Місяць тому

      We're glad the video brought back good memories for you; thank you for sharing your story with us!

  • @Vortagor
    @Vortagor Місяць тому +5

    Dai fioi, tutti a Bassan

  • @Mr_Zzzeee
    @Mr_Zzzeee Місяць тому +5

    I wish you guys would start posting your strava routes in the descriptions.

  • @nem3th
    @nem3th Місяць тому +4

    Italy has very nice scenery for cycling, when we was riding in Tuscany area, everything was great, except roads, local roads are in terrible conditions, we always came back with punctures, damaged rims. That why we completely moved to Spain for cycling training camp , nice weather, paerfect roads, more time to enjoy around while training and not focused all the time where will next hole on road will be.

    • @CazzaJen
      @CazzaJen Місяць тому

      Nothing beats South East Spain for great cycling during the winter months ❤

  • @orbifold4387
    @orbifold4387 Місяць тому +14

    There is a super nice bike path, 80km long, starting from Bassano called the Valsulana which takes you to the Caldonazzo lake in Trentino. From here you can start other Giro d'Italia epic climbs like Passo Manghen. And come back to Bassano by train. The possibilities are endless in this area.

    • @gcn
      @gcn  Місяць тому

      Sounds great!

    • @matcat23
      @matcat23 Місяць тому

      Valsugana Cycle path in case anyone wants to Google it. There's a website Visit Valsugana

  • @dimitriss.2630
    @dimitriss.2630 Місяць тому

    We've been to Bassano earlier this year for a 3-day cycling tour during the Giro. We had the chance to ride up to Monte Grappa the same day of the Queen stage and then we watched the race live. Awesome views, routes, and cycling mentality. The Bassano clubhouse is a gem for cycling enthusiasts. As for Basso bikes, well, I'm not the right person to comment without bias. I own one 😊

  • @glennoc8585
    @glennoc8585 Місяць тому +7

    Basso made nice steel frames in Italy and I'd like to think they still make their frames in italy.

  • @dalis994
    @dalis994 Місяць тому +1

    For me It is Grenoble, I spent there a lot of time in 2016-2018. Right out of the city you can choose one of the three huge climbs. My mileage in that area between those years is 5600 km, hardly any flat roads. A climber's paradise.

  • @waszkewicz
    @waszkewicz Місяць тому +4

    Thank you! ❤
    We really appreciate your work 👍

    • @gcn
      @gcn  Місяць тому

      Our pleasure!

  • @jamesmarkpriestley
    @jamesmarkpriestley Місяць тому

    Been out this weekend for my first time to Bassano! Amazing place, amazing people and riding. The clubhouse is epic. We rented a couple of Basso road bikes from there to tackle the Grappa and it didn’t disappoint. Amazing place

  • @leangrypoulet7523
    @leangrypoulet7523 24 дні тому

    That peloton. Awesome. Jealous. Not to mention knowing what the food would be like at the end. Love Italy. Heading there next week….🙌🇮🇹🍕🍝

  • @waszkewicz
    @waszkewicz Місяць тому +5

    Let's hit the road! 🔥

    • @gcn
      @gcn  Місяць тому

      See you there

  • @loeffelm
    @loeffelm Місяць тому +1

    All of northern Italy is pretty great. The road conditions aren't the best, but the road design is often wild, especially compared to France or Switzerland. I was in Como last September, lots of traffic on the main roads, but you can find hidden gems nearby, like Monte Bisbino, where the road was empty. Epic climb (and descent), really loved it

  • @cyclotaur6315
    @cyclotaur6315 Місяць тому

    Have ridden twice through that area on Dolomites trips, including across the bridge at Bassano and a stay in Marostica, and (just) one ascent of Monte Grappa. Beautiful area, great video, brings back great memories for me.

  • @EhrlicherEdukator
    @EhrlicherEdukator Місяць тому +3

    Amazing video! Keep it up guys

    • @gcn
      @gcn  Місяць тому

      Thank you! Will do!

  • @rickmagee1918
    @rickmagee1918 Місяць тому

    I love my Basso!

  • @mattiacorna5205
    @mattiacorna5205 Місяць тому

    Beautiful ! ❤ from an italian guy 😇

  • @peterwatson9047
    @peterwatson9047 Місяць тому

    Cant beat a glass/cup of Mezzo e Mezzo from the bar at one end of the Ponte Vecchio!

  • @theeuropeancyclepaths8206
    @theeuropeancyclepaths8206 Місяць тому

    Blessed here in Cyprus 🇨🇾 ✌️

  • @pembrokeshiredan
    @pembrokeshiredan Місяць тому +1

    Are lights optional in Italy?

  • @mommamooney
    @mommamooney Місяць тому

    What a cool place to explore!

  • @darlafitzpatrick8770
    @darlafitzpatrick8770 Місяць тому

    I'm not a road cyclist but recently rode Stelvio and Gavia passes with a group. (Terrifying!) A trip to Bassano del Grappa look to be WAY more my speed.

  • @RJ11_bikes
    @RJ11_bikes Місяць тому

    Beautiful

  • @alansmith2593
    @alansmith2593 Місяць тому

    Love that Alex would be the queen in chess. Good on you Alex 😊

  • @glenmurray8447
    @glenmurray8447 Місяць тому

    Riden Basso bikes for over 10 years (excellent bikes) and also done some cycling in that area. But never visited the cafe or taken part in the ride out. Need to sort that 😃

  • @timdotchin5971
    @timdotchin5971 Місяць тому

    Only ever thought of Bassano as a Hang Gliding destination up till now 😅

  • @Monapache2022
    @Monapache2022 Місяць тому

    Are the roads made of good surface, good tarmac or same bad patches like Italian West Alps (Aosta, Agnell, Tuscnay ?)

  • @snooqzz1289
    @snooqzz1289 Місяць тому

    great video ! ive been there once as a teenager on a school exchange, might have to consider going back soon :)

    • @gcn
      @gcn  Місяць тому

      You should!

    • @gcn
      @gcn  Місяць тому +1

      You should! and don’t forget to share if you do it with us! :D

  • @supakidgalaxy
    @supakidgalaxy Місяць тому +1

    Will there be a video of si at the gravel worlds? Did I miss it?

    • @CazzaJen
      @CazzaJen Місяць тому

      Yeah.... I want to know when this is too!! GCN read and answer the comments!!

    • @gcn
      @gcn  Місяць тому

      It's coming, nothing to worry about 😃

  • @smilgin
    @smilgin Місяць тому

    In my bucket list already

    • @gcn
      @gcn  Місяць тому

      Hopefully, you can see it with your own eyes soon!

  • @ChrisSpriggs-rj2ys
    @ChrisSpriggs-rj2ys Місяць тому +1

    GCN has found its mojo and then some 😊

    • @gcn
      @gcn  Місяць тому

      🫶

  • @PedalPower0
    @PedalPower0 Місяць тому +1

    I’m going to Valencia Spain this Christmas nice video

    • @gcn
      @gcn  Місяць тому

      Enjoy the road if you cycle!

    • @PedalPower0
      @PedalPower0 Місяць тому

      @@gcn thanks 👍

  • @roeland_st
    @roeland_st Місяць тому

    Such a beautiful video it’s so motivating but it’s off season so can’t ride right now

    • @gcn
      @gcn  Місяць тому

      It's the perfect season in places like Italy, or it was a few weeks ago when we recorded this!

  • @ezioauditoredafirenze9677
    @ezioauditoredafirenze9677 Місяць тому

    Guys, I totally agree. The Dolomites and the venetian plane are ideal for all kinds of cycling adventures. Awesome video aswell.
    BUT! It's in my opinion maybe the most well known cycling destination in central europe. Sure, maybe not this city in particular, but the whole region is far from a secret tip...😅

  • @NicoleGarrow
    @NicoleGarrow Місяць тому

    Awesome video!

    • @gcn
      @gcn  Місяць тому

      Glad you enjoyed it

  • @dazzamtb27
    @dazzamtb27 Місяць тому

    Wow, I’m definitely going there one day from Australia

    • @gcn
      @gcn  Місяць тому +1

      Go for it!

  • @giuliotoffano4763
    @giuliotoffano4763 Місяць тому

    I live near Venice and always go to mt. Grappa. Usually trekking from Madonna del covolo upt to the top

  • @a1white
    @a1white Місяць тому

    Italy, has some incredible car free cycle routes

  • @Boaty827
    @Boaty827 Місяць тому +1

    Good video

    • @gcn
      @gcn  Місяць тому

      Thanks

  • @MrPedrojpm07
    @MrPedrojpm07 Місяць тому

    I heard also very nice comments of Mallorca, Spain, I suggest to make a video from there.

  • @minispaniard
    @minispaniard Місяць тому +1

    what happened to Si's Gravel World Champs special? the GCN's show really need to sort the scheduled videos announcements... good video anyway. thanks.

    • @CazzaJen
      @CazzaJen Місяць тому +1

      I seem to have missed that video too 😢

    • @gcn
      @gcn  Місяць тому +1

      It's on its way and should be available before your next ride (possibly) 😉

    • @minispaniard
      @minispaniard Місяць тому

      @@gcn thanks for the answer. all explained in today's show. looking forward to it!

  • @Patrik6606
    @Patrik6606 Місяць тому +1

    Bormio to Teglio 😊 for starters and then monte grappa 😊

  • @lux-wattage
    @lux-wattage Місяць тому +1

    "Along the route you'll pass by the statue of Oliver Bridgewood, a true legend"

    • @gcn
      @gcn  Місяць тому +1

      The legend says that even to this day, you can still smell the aroma of his sweat.

  • @sparx550
    @sparx550 Місяць тому

    The Trough of Bowland is Nirvana for me.

  • @PedalPower0
    @PedalPower0 Місяць тому

    I’m going to Valencia Spain this christmas

  • @LaurentGloaguen
    @LaurentGloaguen Місяць тому

    Your link to the Bassano Club House website is broken.

    • @gcn
      @gcn  Місяць тому +1

      Apologies, it is now fixed!

  • @Vortagor
    @Vortagor Місяць тому

    In Bassano there is as well Cybro that made carbon frames

  • @pippoinge
    @pippoinge Місяць тому

    Bassano on GCN before GTA VI 😍

    • @gcn
      @gcn  Місяць тому

      🎉

  • @gruensein
    @gruensein Місяць тому

    What a beautiful advertisement!

  • @doctorscoot
    @doctorscoot Місяць тому

    i love veneto, it’s one of my favorite areas of italy (the other is puglia!)

    • @gcn
      @gcn  Місяць тому +1

      It's hard to make a top list of places in Italy, especially with so many places still to explore!

  • @maximiliano8540
    @maximiliano8540 Місяць тому

    This is a truly breathtaking 11-minute grappa advertisement 😅

    • @gcn
      @gcn  Місяць тому

      Such a beautiful place

  • @williamhutchinson3269
    @williamhutchinson3269 Місяць тому

    Crazy I'm first just want to say I love you lot

    • @gcn
      @gcn  Місяць тому

      we love you too! Enjoy the video!

  • @mateagoston8145
    @mateagoston8145 Місяць тому +1

    Good video but when will finally GCN go to a country which is not Italy, Spain, France or Switzerland? :DDDD Once you went to Poland and South America which was great, can we have more countries in the future please?

    • @gcn
      @gcn  Місяць тому +3

      Thanks for the comment and glad you like the video! Where would you like us to visit next?

    • @glennicol1361
      @glennicol1361 Місяць тому

      Come to Asia

    • @mateagoston8145
      @mateagoston8145 Місяць тому

      @@gcn Well, let me be biased a tiny bit towards my own home country, Hungary. :D Amongst the endless flatlands there are some nice mountains and the famous capital city as well of course, Budapest. Apart from that the Caucasus crossed my mind too.

  • @johnchrysrey7190
    @johnchrysrey7190 Місяць тому

    More gcn vlogs, give the people what we want 😬

    • @gcn
      @gcn  Місяць тому

      👀

  • @svmuele
    @svmuele Місяць тому

    Doveva esserci gcn italia

  • @Mourik131
    @Mourik131 Місяць тому

    It is very beautiful there. You should also go to South Korea one day.

    • @gcn
      @gcn  Місяць тому +1

      That would be very interesting to see! Thank you for the recommendation.

    • @Mourik131
      @Mourik131 Місяць тому

      @@gcn there is this woman making cycling videos in South Korea and it looks amazing so please go to South Korea one day. ua-cam.com/video/D-FFeIPRZQ0/v-deo.htmlsi=4hDc5Y0hRHqCImPY

  • @theodoremurton9608
    @theodoremurton9608 Місяць тому +1

    I thought this was going to be Ireland/Kerry

    • @gcn
      @gcn  Місяць тому

      Any recommendations?

  • @mdryyn
    @mdryyn Місяць тому

    Wowww

  • @kippen64
    @kippen64 Місяць тому

    If GCN ever decide they need a sixty year old female presenter, I'm volunteering!!! Then they could send me on jaunts like this one!!!🎉 I'm also Australian. That might be a bonus.

  • @jimmyryan5880
    @jimmyryan5880 Місяць тому +3

    Please cycle on ice this winter.

    • @gcn
      @gcn  Місяць тому

      Sounds like a challenge; we love challenges!

    • @JanneRasanen2
      @JanneRasanen2 Місяць тому

      Well welcome to Finland although Canada and northern US states may wanna butt in too. Where they lose is freezing cycling infrastructure of the most populous near arctic but absolutely the most populous northern town in the world: Oulu Finland. 200 000 people near the arctic circle and priority for clearing snow off of the road vs cars! I am in the opposite end of the country and with for similar service. Which is why Oulu is the winter cycling capital of the world.

  • @johnstrac
    @johnstrac Місяць тому

    F that bridge @ 3:06 !😵‍💫

  • @derickcastillo9083
    @derickcastillo9083 Місяць тому

    Would you like a 56-year old American man to be a GCN presenter? You guys get to do some cool stuff!

  • @pituife
    @pituife Місяць тому

    Yeah, everyone is missing, the Italian Alps, who would even think about cycling on the Italian Alps, never heard of

  • @firstnamelastname9013
    @firstnamelastname9013 Місяць тому

    👏👏👍👍

  • @illustrationmaking
    @illustrationmaking Місяць тому

    Ah … Somerset levels then up cheddar gorge. Or ride out to Southport and back on Lancashire, followed by going up Parbold Hill. No? 😂

    • @gcn
      @gcn  Місяць тому

      The levels compare, but just don’t do the job!

    • @illustrationmaking
      @illustrationmaking Місяць тому

      @@gcn have to admit … think I’d prefer Italy 😁

  • @larryt.atcycleitalia5786
    @larryt.atcycleitalia5786 Місяць тому +1

    How much do advertorials like this typically cost? There are a LOT of great places in Italy to use as a cycling base for a holiday, depending on what kind of riding you want to do and when you want to do it.

  • @whirlywhirly5758
    @whirlywhirly5758 Місяць тому

    Italian road surfaces are pretty rough

    • @alanwoodison5716
      @alanwoodison5716 Місяць тому

      Not compared to the UK. I stayed at the Clubhouse when GCN were filming (by chance) and was amazed how good the road conditions were.

    • @gcn
      @gcn  Місяць тому

      You should see our local roads… shocking

  • @ivankrsnik9640
    @ivankrsnik9640 Місяць тому

    check island Brač in Croatia

  • @richardtaylor1687
    @richardtaylor1687 Місяць тому

    Alex may be super aero according to Dan Bigham, but nothing forgives riding with your gillet undone and flapping in the wind. Seemingly it wasn’t a one off either.

  • @davtwill531
    @davtwill531 Місяць тому +10

    I heard Italian drivers have no respect for cyclists compared to France/Spain and it is very dangerous road riding in Italy.

    • @BikePappy
      @BikePappy Місяць тому +4

      Can confirm.

    • @CazzaJen
      @CazzaJen Місяць тому +4

      I've been told it's not that they have no respect.... The Italian Drivers love cycling and cyclists.... they love them SO much they like to get as close as they can when passing 😮😮

    • @JanneRasanen2
      @JanneRasanen2 Місяць тому

      ​@@CazzaJenLike a mother...

    • @ruggerorosselli
      @ruggerorosselli Місяць тому +1

      More* dangerous surely, due to drivers + terrible roads

    • @AlexanderSkwar
      @AlexanderSkwar Місяць тому +1

      From what I heard, that becomes more true the farther south you get. Past Rome, it's gotta be hell.
      In the north, especially in Southern Tyrolean area, it's supposedly rather okay.

  • @WilyTuber
    @WilyTuber Місяць тому

    You lucky bastards how come I'm not there No homeless no filth no weird shit going on, it's paradise

  • @mdryyn
    @mdryyn Місяць тому

    Woww

  • @dominicbritt
    @dominicbritt Місяць тому

    Now everybody knows 😬

    • @gcn
      @gcn  Місяць тому

      Time to book a trip!?

    • @dominicbritt
      @dominicbritt Місяць тому

      @@gcn damn straight - it looks amazing…

  • @paulsolon6229
    @paulsolon6229 Місяць тому +1

    No doesn’t work. Bassano is at 1200 ft. Not high enough. Need higher.

  • @spiral99able
    @spiral99able Місяць тому

    Where's the pasta?

    • @gcn
      @gcn  Місяць тому

      Where should it be! 🫃

  • @3TZZZ
    @3TZZZ Місяць тому +1

    This would be excellent if you guys would just chill out and calm down! ...so much loud, egotistical self-promo kills the journey and the location. It’s not about you, it’s about the journey, the place, the ride.

  • @mithril.117
    @mithril.117 Місяць тому

    so this video is just an ad.. again.. theres just ads on this channel now

  • @itsianwood
    @itsianwood Місяць тому

    Too short!!!!

  • @brockjennings
    @brockjennings Місяць тому

    Hopefully the locals will tolerate the imminent Lycra invasion this video has created 😡

    • @donnamobile
      @donnamobile Місяць тому

      There are thousands of local cyclists living here already, as they have been for over a hundred years, so visiting cyclists fit right in. One of the local clubs is Veloce Bassano 1892. Wilier Triestina was founded in Bassano in 1906. Bartali won the Bassano-Monte Grappa race in 1934. The entire Veneto Region is the hotbed of all things cycling. This video just is just an antipasto. The Prosecco wine growing area is just to the east, and the Dolomites not far north.

  • @GoustiFruit
    @GoustiFruit Місяць тому +1

    Italy has nice places. But veeeeery bad drivers. Avoid it at all cost.

  • @mcarena12
    @mcarena12 Місяць тому

    How freaking wonderful, that a guy from ruzzia can travel to just see the world and enjoy his life while his fascist country is literally dragging the world in to the WW3. Great job, @gcn, next time let's see some of those finest north korean athletes that are prepared for a mission Europe, shall we?

  • @FORKorBIKE
    @FORKorBIKE Місяць тому

    Psycho Pawths ?

  • @jriddell7070
    @jriddell7070 Місяць тому

    Are there no women cyclists in Bassano? Please get a new female presenter to go out in these adventures!

  • @simondouthwaite6390
    @simondouthwaite6390 Місяць тому

    My good friend started a cycling tour company a few years back Italy Bike Tours “plug” nearby and I can confirm the cycling in Italy is amazing.