Cycling around Lake Como, where to stay?

[mikehhhhhhh]

We're looking at a week trip to Lake Como in the summer and naturally, I want to take the bike and get a few rides in.

One of which will be a lap of the lake, but I'd like good access to do a few other shorter rides. Preferably with some elevation. Maybe 2hr/50km max.

Can anyone recommend where to stay for good access to some good routes?

I feel like I'm flying blind trying to figure this out, but there does seem to be a few more established routes on the NW side of the lake.

[CR987]

Riding around the lake at ' sea level' can be quite hairy with crazy car drivers. You will want to head up the climbs to Madonna del Ghisallo and the Muro di Sormano

[TidyDinosaur]

Riding around the lake at ' sea level' can be quite hairy with crazy car drivers. You will want to head up the climbs to Madonna del Ghisallo and the Muro di Sormano

Yeah, we went on vacation there 2 years ago. Before the trip I was thinking about renting a bike there. After driving on the roads around the lake with our car, I'm glad I didn't...

[CR987]

August 15th is a major holiday in Italy. If you are go to Como around 10th to 20th it will be dead quiet because all the locals have gone to the coast

[ultimobici1]

Look for accommodation in or around Como on Booking. That way you’re close enough to restaurants etc. Speak to Alex at Sartoria Ciclistica in Via Borgo Vico about rides in advance. Lake ride is not that bar at all. Much of the Como to Dongo road is local traffic only for the first part and cycle path at the top. From the top of the lake down to Mandello del Lario is also bypassed as the main north-south route goes through the tunnel. Mandello del Lario to Lecco is a bit sketchy as the two roads merge. Lecco to Bellagio and back to Como is narrow and twisty so cars can be an issue. Having a Varia can help ensure your awareness of what’s behind without constantly looking behind. All in all a good 160km dead.


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[joeyb1000]

Sorry for responding to this so late. Bring front and rear lights. I was caught off guard by the tunnels around Como , where you are invisible to cars.

There is a coffee shop in the center of como. It seemed to be a big meeting place around 9:00am every day.

[ultimobici]

Sorry for responding to this so late. Bring front and rear lights. I was caught off guard by the tunnels around Como , where you are invisible to cars.

Check with locals if it is actually OK to ride through the tunnels. The one on the Lecco side of the peninsular is sometimes restricted. The one on the West side between Cernobbio & Argegno are long and it is actually unnecessary to use them. There is a bypass route at Brienno which is easily seen on the way north. The bypass on the way back is harder to find, especially when the inital bit is so steep!

There is a coffee shop in the center of como. It seemed to be a big meeting place around 9:00am every day.

Satroria Ciclistica in Via Borgo Vico is a cycling cafe run by Alex Tino who can advise on where to ride and where not to ride. There are rides organised much of the way through the summer up to Il Lombardia in October.