The gravel bike is a revolution in the world of cycling. It features a lightweight frame that accommodates two types of wheels: wide for off-road and narrow for the road.
Who better than a frequent user of gravel bikes can tell us about their characteristics?
We asked Stelvioman to talk to you about gravel bikes, give you technical advice, and suggest which routes are best suited for beginners and experts.
"Gravel biking is a delightful opportunity that has gained ground in the world of cycling tourism in recent years. Its exclusive advantage lies in the fact that with a single frame, you can have dual functionality: wide tires for tackling gravel paths and dirt roads, and narrow tires for conventional road use.
Bormio has the unique feature of having several drivable roads in its surrounding valleys that are perfect for gravel biking. These are the ancient 'salt and wine roads,' which once connected the Magnificent Land with northern Europe.
The ascent to the Cancano Lakes is one such route. The gravel road encircling the Cancano Lakes allows for the use of this type of bike even if you are less experienced. It's a wide and perfectly flat road! Moreover, the Cancano Lakes are a strategic point from where all the high mountain roads start. From Cancano, you can reach the Stelvio Pass, Livigno, and even Switzerland, passing through alpine passes, alpine meadows, and typical mountain huts.
We can call it 'alpine gravel.' Just because it's alpine, remember to have appropriate gears and suitable clothing! You'll often face steep gradients and rapidly changing high-altitude weather.
Of course, gravel biking should not be confused with mountain biking.
A gravel bike should never be pushed beyond its limits. Steep descents could be challenging since it naturally lacks suspension.
There are many suitable routes, often mixed asphalt and gravel, which fully enhance the characteristics and handling of these bikes. A route I recommend if you're more experienced is the one that ascends from Bagni Vecchi, on the road to Stelvio, and follows the ancient Salt and Wine Route through Boscopiano to reach the Umbrail Pass, historically used to transport goods to Innsbruck.
Once you reach Solena, you leave the ancient route to reach the Cancano Lakes.
Why do I recommend it, you ask? Untouched nature and breathtaking views!
Cheers!"
Stelvioman
Stelvioman
