Shot in the dark--bike rentals in Bellagio Italy

[sfscott]

I am headed to the Lake Como region in the next couple of weeks and am contemplating trying to ride the Ghisallo from Bellagio up to the summit and the cycling museum, today's performance on Old La Honda Rd. not withstanding.

I was wondering if anyone knows the area and has any suggestions on where to rent a good road bike (preferably Italian with Campy!) for half a day. I have not looked on any travel cites or called the hotel yet, but I can.

That said, I figured someone among us has a direct experience or a hook-up. I was planning to bring shoes, pedals and kit. Would you bring your own helmet?

We're going to be gone for a while and will likely have a lot of luggage due to the various places and dress codes we're encountering as well as the requisite portable Apple store that follows me everywhere, so if I can avoid something as bulky as helmet for one day's use, I'd prefer it.

And I say I am planning this knowing that it will take me eons to make it up since i have barely ridden in the past couple of months and will have spent the prior week eating my way thru Lyon.

[roguedog]

Hey there. Jealous.

This is a service that is associated with one of the hotels in the area: http://www.ilperlo.com/en/como-lago-bike/ Never used them but just giving you the link

Have fun!

[johnmdesigner]

Hey there. Jealous.

This is a service that is associated with one of the hotels in the area: http://www.ilperlo.com/en/como-lago-bike/ Never used them but just giving you the link

Have fun!

I have stayed here before.
Right at the base of the climb. A little rustic but the owners are nice and you have a fabulous view of the lake from your balcony.
I'm jealous too. It's a fabulous area. Enjoy!

[johnmdesigner]

Oh, and you go out of the parking lot and are immediately smacked in the face with this climb. But it is glorious!

[johnmdesigner]

Here is a good article for you:

http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/travel/top-rides-the-climb-to-madonna-del-ghisallo/#.WRCioPkrLDc

[rccardr]

Contact the concierge at The Grand Hotel Serbelloni. We stayed there a year ago and they can find you whatever you want. Also an amazing place to stay, very elegant. But pricey.

[johnmdesigner]

http://ristorante-saliceblu-bellagio.it/?lang=en

We had lunch and dinner here. Fabulous!

[Mr. Pink]

Try this fellow: http://www.bicyclinginitaly.com/index.asp Haven't used him, but he sounds like a great bet. Also conducts daily and multi day tours around Como. That climb is a real mutha, from what I'm told, but, the prize is that church, which has to be very cool, and the view has to be awesome, too. I was there in early December a few years ago, and it lived up to my buddy's hype as an incredibly beautiful place with great food. We slept across the lake in Varenna, a short walk from the ferry. There's an intense climb over there, too. Lots of climbing. We ate twice in Varenna here: http://www.cavatappivarenna.it easily the best meal I've had in Italy, which, of course, is a very high bar. Twelve seats, tiny, awesome.