(Feature image credit to Natalia Santolaya)

For all that could have been, this year had been a great year. I did spend most of the first months of the year grieving after the loss of my cat, the year has been kind. 

One of the biggest opportunity came in the form of the world’s biggest cycling race – Le Tour de France – which had its Grand Depart in Italy this year. With this, came with the trips that took me cycling in Italy, one of my favourite destinations, and to one region in particular. Emilia Romagna.

Cycling in Emilia Romagna

As a historical first, the 2024 edition of Tour de France had its Grand Depart in Italy, and after the official Grand Depart in Florence, the race crossed over the border into Emilia Romagna and stayed in the region until Stage three when the sprinters raced across the plains into Piedmont.

I knew of the cuisine and I am aware of the monuments, but other than a quick visit to Bologna previously, I never really did explore Emilia Romagna. Back in April, I had the chance to join a press trip in Cervia, a small stretch of the Adriatic Coast that at first impression, felt like it’s somehow been forgotten in the past. There were plenty of resorts but mostly stuck in the 80s or 90s and honestly, while we did have some great cycling among the hills that surround the area, I probably wouldn’t return to this particular part of the coast.

Then, I had another chance during Tour de France to check out Rimini and Cesenatico to cycle the seafront and around the colourful boats on the Leonardo da Vinci Canal. Finally, I had a taste of what gorgeous place this could be! 

If you followed either Giro d’Italia or Tour de France this year, you would have seen it on TV – when the teams crossed the border from Tuscany to Emilia Romagna, where the terraine took them up the climb at San Leo and up to San Marino. The surrounding landscapes that rise and drop against the blue of the coast is a sight to behold. It made great viewing on telly, but trust me when I say, it is even better when you are the one doing the cycling.

This is a region popular with cyclists. There are more than enough Grand Fondo events to choose from and a bit of everything for every style of cyclists. Historical hilltop fortifications, fields of salt flats, the wild Adriatic Coast and intriging towns to visit are just part of the backdrop. You could simply just want to do some sightseeing, do some winery hopping and cheese tasting, or you could do some serious training and get sweaty climbing up to San Marino!

Great cycling hotels of Emilia Romagna

When areas take cycling tourism seriously, the hotels naturally want to cater for the needs of cyclists. Take the excellent Lugomare Hotel in Cesenatico for example. I would say, their facilities are exactly what every cycling hotel should aim for. A spacious bike storage room accessible any time with your room keycard, where there is a corner to wash and maintain your bike before racking it up safely for the night. The hotel also has daily cycle rides to take guests out for a spin and the buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner are perfect for pre- and post- ride fuelling too.

Then there’s Hotel Europa Monetti in the town of Cattolica on the border with Le Marche. Conveniently located in the heart of town, with a small bike room equipped with tools for maintenance and a spa/sauna area for post-riding relaxation. The restaurant is excellent and has a good wine cellar.

What I loved about both of the above hotels is that you’ll often see the bosses of the hotels mingling with the guests, providing that personal connection so that guests feel like they are among friends rather than just someone who is paying a bill at the end of their holiday.

EMCC and Italian Bike Festival

In a funny way, inviting me to the EMCC (European Media Cycling Contest) is kind of like throwing Australia as the wildcard entry to Eurovision. It was never in my favour to win, but I wasn’t there to win. I was there because I like cycling, I like Italy and needless to say, I really like cycling in Italy.

Having had such a big part to play in Tour de France, the Emilia Romagna region is keen to show it all off again at EMCC. Journalists, writers and content creators from across the continent were treated to three days of cycling heaven. We attended the Italian Bike Festival, an annual event held at the Misano World Circuit since 2018 featuring cycling brands big and small, as well as learn about cycling tourism in different parts of Italy. As part of the event, we took part in the La Gialla Cycling social grand fondo, a friendly, everyone welcome event that I really enjoyed racing. It didn’t matter that I came last in the group, all it mattered was that I finished and enjoyed myself!

So, would I return to Emilia Romagna for cycling?

Yes. Come and cycle the roads of 2024’s Tour de France stages and re-live the dream!