Character:
There are not yet many dedicated cycle paths - with the exception of the Po cycle path. But on the side roads in the hinterland of Rimini, Riccione and Cesenatico, traffic is usually limited.
Tour tip for one week:
Mantua - Brescello - Parma - Reggio - Bologna - Ferrara (flat to slightly hilly; approx. 265 km)
Best time to travel.
April to June and September to the end of October
Journey:
Long-distance trains from Germany go to Bologna, among other places. An alternative for the long journey could also be a cheap flight (e.g. Germanwings and HLX) to Rimini or Bologna.
Bike shops:
There are garages and bike hire shops in almost every town on the Adriatic.
Bike hotels:
On the Adriatic coast, the choice of accommodation of all kinds is quite large, but some close as early as September (http://www.italybikehotels.it, http://www.riccionebikehotels.it, http://www.adriabike.com, http://www.assohotels.it). Inland, the choice is much smaller, except in the better-known towns and along the Po cycle path.
Organiser:
Cycling & Travelling (http://www.fahrradreisen.at),
Velotours (http://www.velotours.de),
Tailwind (http://www.rueckenwind.de),
Eurobike (http://www.eurobike.at),
DRF Rad & Aktiv (http://www.radreisecenter.de)
Package deal:
1 week individual cycle tour "Emilia Romagna" from Verona to Ferrara costs from 666 euros (tailwind) with 7x accommodation, luggage transport, maps etc., guided weekly tour from 879 euros.
Maps/literature:
Bikeline "Po Cycle Route: from Milan to the Po Delta" cycle tour book and map 1:75,000, 92 p., 12.90 euros. Brochure "Destra Po - Radwanderweg am rechten Ufer des Po" published by the Province of Ferrara (in German; free). Brochure "Cycling along the coast - 16 cycle tours from the Adriatic to the Apennines", 50 pp. (in German, published by the APT Emilia Romagna). General map "Emilia Romagna" 1:200,000 at 7.50 euros.
Information (general):
APT Servizi Emilia Romagna, P.le Fellini,3, I-47900 Rimini, Tel. 0039/0541/430100, Fax 0039/0541/430150, mailto:emiliaromagnaturismo@regione.emilia-romagna.it , http://www.emiliaromagnaturismo.it
The article from issue 5/2006 is available as a free PDF download.
