MONCALIERI – Vallere cycle tourism festival at the weekend – Wednesday

Published on April 17, 2024

The world of two wheels meets in Turin. On Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 April the greenery of Cascina Le Vallere – Piedmontese Po Protected Areas, in Moncalieri, in Corso Trieste 98, will host Bike Experiencecycle tourism festival (free entry).

Created in 2022 by the Torino Bike Experience association, in the first two editions it saw the participation of over 10 thousand people, hundreds of guests, exhibitors and associations for the promotion of the area: the initiative has thus become the second event dedicated to cycle tourism in terms of size in Italy, the first in the North-West.

«Bike Experience was created to create a showcase of the associations, activities and projects that deal with cycle tourism in our territory – he explains Alessandro Ippolitocurator of the festival – But my idea is that this is not a trade fair, but an experiential festival: you come to see bicycles and accessories, but you also take part in activitythey listen to each other testimonies and stories of cycle tourists, we gather advice from biomechanists and nutritionists”. A container, therefore, of proposals with, in addition, four excursions. There will be no shortage of outdoor activities in the park and for families during the two days.

Each person – from the novice to the professional, from those who use the bike in the city to those who use it for travelling – has the opportunity to discover, listen, share experiences and advice on everything that revolves around cycling. «One of the strong points of the festival are the workshops – continues Ippolito – Participants will be able to delve into the most varied topics, from bicycle mechanics to the art of bike packaging, from cartography to how to service your two-wheeler». 52 talkswhich range from how to travel with children to legendary climbs, from itineraries in the Chierese area to those in South America.

The Cycle Tourism Festival in Piedmont is a project of Torino Bike Experience, an association founded in 2018 with the aim of promoting a two-wheeled culture where the bike is fun, sport, a means of transport and social transformation. During the year, the association offers numerous activities to discover the riches of the area, promoting the use of bicycles to make the city increasingly cycle-friendly, ecological and people-friendly. In addition to cycle trips, it also organizes initiatives such as the Alpibike-High Altitude Cycle Tourism Festival in Luserna San Giovani, the NordOvest Divide and the Monferrato Bike Experience and PedalanPo in collaboration with the Po Piemontese park authority

THE STRONG POINTS OF THE 2024 EDITION

SATURDAY EVENING “Bike Party” with the Drag Queen

On Saturday 21 April, from 6.30pm to 11pm, Cascina Le Vallere will be transformed into a place of celebration. In the talk area, there will be a special edition of “Play with Barbie”, with the participation of drag queen Barbie Bubu. Exhibitors will offer exclusive prizes, while live music will be curated byQuelle2 and DJ Steve.In perfect cycle touring style, you can taste Piedmontese food, sip fresh craft beers and enjoy the excellent company of Van Ver Burger, La banda del Maslè, Bicierin , and Edit.

For the whole family

Bike Experience is a festival for all ages, with activities and routes dedicated to young cyclists aged 6 to 15. Children and teenagers will have the opportunity to explore the secrets of the park under the supervision of UISP cycling technicians and with the collaboration of the park guides. A 1000 square meter junior track is planned.

The excursions

Bike Experience organizes four free excursions.

SATURDAY 20 APRIL11AM GRAVELLATA – in collaboration with Gravel Bike TorinoFlat itinerary of approximately 65km between dirt roads and low-traffic roads that run along the Po towards the Racconigi Castle. Possibility to choose between two tracks, short or long. Formula Randonnée, organized by Gravel Bike Torino, which will keep pace with the group for the longest itinerary.

2 PM RIDE IN LILLA – in collaboration with Myfamilibike E LivItinerary of approximately 40km to discover the Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi: you travel along part of the cycle path on the Sangone to leave the city behind in the direction of valleys and mountains. Organized by MyFamilyBike, with the participation of CCPINK and EasyRider. Main sponsor Liv Cycling Italy with the possibility of test bikes.

SUNDAY 21 APRIL11AM FAMILY CYCLE TOURISM – in collaboration with Torino Bike Experience and UispFlat itinerary of approximately 40km within the areas of the Po river park towards Cuneo and Carmagnola, following part of the Vento cycle route towards the source of the Po. The family excursion of the festival.

2 PM 160 BIKE – in collaboration with 160cmItinerary of approximately 12km to promote the inclusive use of the bicycle also for therapeutic purposes. Two wheels and more, trike bikes, folding and cargo bikes to ride together. Edited by 160cm – cycling with multiple sclerosis, with Fabio Wolf.

The program of workshops

SATURDAY 20 APRIL AND SUNDAY 21 APRIL

11AM. CHECKUP AND CLEANING Every good ride begins with correct maintenance. How to service your bike and enjoy the journey. By Svitol.

12 PM. MECCANICA FOR LEDIES Advice and practical mechanical interventions with a cycle traveller. How to deal with small inconveniences along the road and get back on the saddle. By Elena of BikeBrothers.

2 PM. BIKEPACKING BAGS The departure begins… with the luggage! Choose the most suitable bags and discover how to manage the preliminary phases of a cycle trip. Edited by Nordcruz.

3 PM. PACKAGING AS A MASTER How to pack your bicycle properly and avoid unpleasant surprises during transport. By Ciclocentrico.

4 PM. CYCLE TOURISM COURSE Learn the art of traveling by bicycle with the brand new course dedicated to cycle tourism. Organized by Peppe Esposto.