Description

The streets are the mythical ones in every sense.

These are the roads along which the most famous champions trained - Airone Fausto Coppi - but also his brother Serse, and before that Costante Girardengo with many other heroic cyclists from the Tortona Hills who have written an epic of cycling of the past.

This, in particular, is a path - rather challenging - that crossing precisely the Colli Tortonesi, retraces the path that leads to the birthplace of the Coppi, Castellania and back to Novi. It starts from the Museum of the Campionissimi of Novi Ligure, a must for those who love the history of cycling.

Continuing along Viale dei Campionissimi, follow Via Acquistapace to the municipal stadium; then turn right into Viale della Rimembranza and then left into Via Manzoni.

At km 2.6 you will arrive at a roundabout on the State 35 Bis dei Giovi; go straight on in the direction of Merella (here, among the farmsteads, there is a circuit very popular with competitive cyclists, the circuit of Merella).

Turn right at km 7.6 towards Villalvernia and then at km 10.6 left towards Tortona. At km 10.9, at the second traffic light in Villalvernia, turn right in the direction of Castellania (a rather demanding climb of 400 metres is to be noted).

At km 12.9 turn left towards Paderna; from here you will find an average of 1.2 km of difficult climb.

There is a fountain in the town hall square.

At km 15 turn left towards Spineto (600 m uphill of medium difficulty). Once in Spineto, at km 18, there are two dangerous curves.

At km 18.4 turn right towards Carbonara, then right again towards Villaromagnano (km 19.2): at this point you will find a series of rather dangerous curves.

At km 19.6 begins a cycle path, next to which there is a rest area. It should be noted that right here there is a detour that leads to the ascent of La Rampina, on the right, immediately after the beginning of the cycle path, after passing Villaromagnano.

It is an alternative (properly mythical) to the bike path in the valley.

In practice, you arrive at the same point, at the entrance to Montale Celli and then continue on the path to Costa Vescovato.

This stretch of white road characterizes the cyclostoric LaMitica that starts and arrives every year in Castellania. At km 20.8 keep right towards Costa Vescovado and at km 22.8 turn right again.

Keep right at km 25.4; there is a demanding climb near the hamlet of Montale Celli.

At km 27 turn right towards Castellania (600 m of demanding climb); at km 28.8 continue left until you reach the birthplace of Fausto Coppi: here everything speaks and tells of the Piedmontese champion.

The walls are also frescoed with vintage giant photographs and the photos, the relics, which can be seen at Casa Coppi or in the small museum dedicated.

Then there is the Mausoleum of the great Fausto: the Monument in honour of the Coppi brothers is the destination of continuous pilgrimages.

For a wine break, we recommend a visit (by appointment) to the Cantina Vigne Marina Coppi, the eldest daughter of the Campionissimo. At this point we continue towards Carezzano Superiore.

At km 33.8 bend dangerous.

At km 35.4 turn left towards Sant'Agata Fossili (3.5 km uphill average), where you can find a fountain, a swimming pool and the unusual presence of a field of lavender.

At km 43.5 you arrive in Gavazzana, a small village from whose church you can admire the surrounding valley.

At km 46 keep left towards Cassano.

In the village there is a fountain.

At km 47.9 turn right towards Novi Ligure.

Continue along via Verdi, at the traffic light turn right into via Cavallotti, at the next traffic light turn right into via Manzoni, then left into viale della Rimembranza, then left into via Crispi, and then continue into via Acquistapace towards the Museo dei Campionissimi (55.5 km) in front of which there is a large car park. Dedicated posters: it is not present, at the crossroads it is necessary to follow the directions of places indicated in the description of the route.

In addition, it is always advisable to rely on a capable guide and the area, able to be updated on any changes in the conditions of the routes that may vary from the time when Pimeontebike.eu carried out investigations to verify and update. Recommendations: Always wear a helmet, even when it is not mandatory.

Before leaving, always warn someone about the choice of route, if you can bring a GPS and a mobile phone, a water bottle always full of water, if the distance is challenging still provide a snack / bar of supply.

Dress appropriately.

Better always in layers and with a windproof rain cap to keep in the pocket of the jersey.

Always use the shorts with the bottom.

Comfort is essential to have fun and enjoy the spectacle of a trip.