{"id":276654,"date":"2025-03-26T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-26T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/langhe.net\/?p=276654"},"modified":"2025-02-19T16:20:52","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T15:20:52","slug":"semi-serious-rides-langa-all-seasons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/langhe.net\/en\/276654\/semi-serious-rides-langa-all-seasons\/","title":{"rendered":"Semi-serious pedaling in the Langa for all seasons"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The writer is a 47-year-old man with an unbridled passion for road biking<\/strong>. I own a black Trek with electronic shifting, disc brakes and standard carbon wheels purchased at Christmas 2023, so super recent. <\/p>\n\n

\n

Does that make me a serious, cool, pro cyclist?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

No, on the contrary! I also end up looking like a loser<\/strong>, because I go just as fast (so to speak) as on my old bike, and you know: in the end, it’s only the legs<\/strong> that make the difference. <\/p>\n\n

That’s fine with me; I didn’t buy it with performance ideas. I don’t call myself a serious cyclist<\/em>, rather a tourist on a road bike<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n

\"\"
The view is breathtaking, but avoid looking at it while pedaling<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

My goal? To enjoy the ride<\/strong>, without performance anxiety, without obsessing about times and split times, but according to the philosophy of pedaling without hurry<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

I live in Alba<\/a>, and if from year to year I am more and more in love with my area, it is also thanks to the bicycle<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

It is the one thing who led me to discover unfamiliar villages<\/strong>, climbs<\/strong> where to test perseverance and tenacity, and stop-off points for refreshments<\/strong>, because okay bars, but a plate of tajarin<\/strong> is certainly more satisfying.<\/p>\n\n

The plan is simple: go up, eat, come back down<\/h2>\n\n

I have clearly in my mind, indeed in my nose, the scent of the ragouts<\/strong> in which I come across pedaling around lunchtime in the summer, when I ride through the small hamlets<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

I know that many serious cyclists may turn their noses up at this, but how nice it is to stop after a ride of a few hours and realize that certain dishes are prepared by the world’s best chef<\/strong>: hunger<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n

\"\"
Tajarin<\/em> are a fresh egg pasta typical of the Piedmontese tradition<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

And so off to small trattorias<\/strong>, eateries or wineries<\/strong> that not only offer wine tastings but also typical Langhe lunches.<\/p>\n\n

Two wineries to mark down? Marrone<\/a> in La Morra and Francesco Rosso<\/a> in Santo Stefano Roero if you want to try a tasty lunch or just a dish accompanied by delicious wines<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

If you prefer a quicker alternative, La Terrazza da Renza<\/strong> bar in Castiglione Falletto offers tasty traditional eats.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

The wind can be your friend… Sometimes <\/h2>\n\n

Here’s a tip<\/strong> while we’re at it: bring a windproof jacket<\/strong>. Not so much for July or August, but for the mid-seasons<\/strong>, when you’re just fine in the sun and after a minute you’re freezing on a shady, slimy stretch<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n

There is no shortage of<\/strong> curves<\/strong> here, some half sunny and half shady, so damp and potentially treacherous.<\/p>\n\n

So watch out for the temperature change<\/strong>, especially in the Alta Langa: if uphill the winter 6 degrees can be tolerated well, downhill is a different story. Starting from Murazzano at 750 meters and returning to Alba at 172 with the wind against you is a delight… But only if you are well covered! <\/p>\n\n

My rule is simple: head, hands and feet must stay warm<\/strong>. Comfortable gloves<\/strong>, protective shoe covers<\/strong> and an under-helmet<\/strong> are essential to pedaling without pain<\/strong> and enjoying the ride.<\/p>\n\n

Above the fog there is always sunshine<\/h2>\n\n

I don’t want to give you the impression that cycling between Langhe<\/strong>, Roero<\/strong> and Monferrato<\/strong> is just suffering. On the contrary! <\/p>\n\n

It is pure luck to be in the hills on an early summer<\/strong> evening or in late spring<\/strong>, with the colors vivid and bright, or in autumn, when the vines are tinged with red and the low sun brings out every hue<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

Or, going up into the hills in the colder months<\/strong> provides a unique spectacle: finding yourself pedaling under the sun<\/strong>, while the landscape below is bathed in a sea of fog<\/strong> and only the highest castles and villages emerge, like islands suspended in nothingness<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

\"\"
Grinzane Cavour castle emerges from the fog<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

And then, with a cell phone in your pocket, you can capture<\/strong> the most Instagrammable<\/em> places in the area. Any examples? The Belvedere<\/strong> of La Morra<\/a>, and the core of the village of Monforte<\/strong> where right in Piazza Umberto I\u00b0 you will find the Grappolo d’Oro<\/strong> bar and restaurant (a regular stop for many cyclists) and the Rocca wine shop.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n

Also in the municipality of Monforte, Cascina S\u00f2t<\/a>, a really interesting winery<\/strong> run by Maurizio Sanso and his family, is also worth a stop.<\/p>\n\n

Do you like to sprint? Look for farmsteads <\/h2>\n\n

It may sound like a provocation, but in rare cases it might happen that a dog<\/strong>, hopefully with only playful intentions, decides to enliven your passage<\/strong> in front of the gate of his farmhouse. And you know, Langa dogs can guard very well! <\/p>\n\n

No problem: you can continue to pedal calmly ignoring it or, as I often do, sprint in panic<\/strong> at 100 mph…. But remember: it can work if you are nice and fast<\/strong> or downhill<\/strong>. On uphill sections the quadruped will always go faster than you. <\/p>\n\n

Is the Langhe busy? <\/h2>\n\n

The most diplomatic answer is: it depends on the period<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

I keep my eyes wide open as I cross urban stretches<\/strong> to reach the climbs I choose to tackle that day.<\/p>\n\n

In the spring<\/strong>, summer<\/strong> and especially in the fall<\/strong>, tourism increases<\/strong>, and with such a beautiful view, it is easy for some motorists to get distracted. Then we are in the hills, and it is very easy to encounter tractors<\/strong> on the road, especially at harvest<\/strong> time. <\/p>\n\n

\"\"
View of the Langhe along the road from La Morra to Barolo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

One simple but essential<\/strong> thing? A nice red LED light in the back<\/strong> and a front light<\/strong> that is always on<\/strong>, even during the day. <\/p>\n\n

What do you say, see you in the saddle?<\/p>\n\n

Useful info<\/h2>\n\n