{"id":14500,"date":"2024-02-08T21:47:49","date_gmt":"2024-02-08T20:47:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/?p=14500"},"modified":"2024-02-13T09:53:08","modified_gmt":"2024-02-13T08:53:08","slug":"cycling-in-liguria-vai-vai-forza-forza","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/en\/verhalen\/fietsen-in-ligurie-vai-vai-forza-forza","title":{"rendered":"Cycling in Liguria: 'Vai, vai, forza, forza!'"},"content":{"rendered":"

When you say flower Riviera, you don't immediately think of cycling. But say San Remo, the Ligurian seaside resort where the finish of spring classic Milano-San Remo takes place every year, many a cyclist's heart beats faster. When spring arrives in Liguria<\/a> has long since begun, we see on television the professional cyclists in La Primavera<\/a> thunder past Porto Maurizio's iconic dome on television. As an amateur cyclist, cycling there is also good. We interviewed Moniek van der Velden, who runs the beautiful B&B Casa La Salita in the region. With her tips, Liguria will become your new favourite destination in Italy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Monique on top of the Cipressa - with a beautiful mural<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cycling in Liguria is a big surprise<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Liguria, a new surprise awaits you after every turn. Sometimes the climb is more erratic than expected and you kick your legs out from under you. Then again, you cycle completely zen in cadence enjoying the breathtaking scenery overlooking an azure sea and lush headlands. \"The senses are fully engaged here,\" says Moniek van der Velden. She is crazy about Italy and runs B&B Casa la Salita<\/a>. \"Throughout the year, fragrant shrubs and cacti bloom brightly. Again and again, a colourful village looms in the distance against a mountain ridge.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This is Italy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You're in luck as a cyclist in Italy. In every hamlet you will find a cosy piazza<\/em> Where you can sit on the terrace of the trattoria<\/em> drink a delicious espresso or cappuccino. Or where you eat a great pasta to regain your strength. \"As a cyclist, you are actually welcomed with enthusiasm everywhere. Cycling is passion for the Italian, Ciclismo \u00e8 passione<\/em>! Nor should you be surprised if, while toiling away on your road bike, you are cheered on by spectators with: \"Vai, vai, forza, forza!\"<\/em> Moniek said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Round Bajardo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After two cycling holidays in Liguria in 2019, Moniek knew for sure: this is where I want to be more often. \"I found a house there in Coldirodi, on a promontory at an altitude of 250 metres with San Remo on one side and Ospedaletti on the other. \"The versatility and mild climate appealed to me. Directly in hinterland is San Romolo. I like to cycle to Bajardo via this nature reserve. Only 20 kilometres of climbing and then you already peak above 1,000 altimeters and descend three kilometres to Bajardo. The mountain village has only a few hundred inhabitants. Being rather isolated, it has retained its own character. For example, in the small square you can eat Brandacajun, a dish of potato with stoccafisso<\/em>, stockfish in Dutch and a delicious fresh ravioli with erba di cetriolo<\/em>, cucumber spice that is served almost nowhere anymore.\" <\/p>\n\n\n\n