Year in Review: Top Bike Rides of 2017

Calvi to Piana, Corsica

After a chilly and grey Boston winter, springtime in Corsica feels like living in Technicolor. The ocean is a brilliant aquamarine, wildflowers bloom out of vibrant green grass, and the sun shines warmly on your face.

I joined our Corsica Bike Tour for a spectacular stretch from Calvi to Piana—it’s 45 kilometers of coastal riding that weaves around corners on a rocky ridgeline perched above the Mediterranean. The pavement is smooth and there’s not a car in sight, just a few goats that wander across the road.

We stopped in the fishing village of Porto to eat a caprese salad on the docks before finishing the last part of the ride to Piana. A home run! It’s the kind of ride where you find yourself singing in your head and feeling grateful to be alive.

Côte-d’Or, Burgundy

The Côte-d’Or is paradise for oenophiles. It’s home to Burgundy’s best-known wines and where all but one of Burgundy’s Grand Cru vineyards are situated.

I’ve been riding, eating, and drinking my way through Burgundy for 25 years, but this October was unlike any of my other visits. It was perfect weather with crystal blue skies contrasting against fiery fall foliage: reds, yellows, and oranges so bright you needed sunglasses.

The route goes down twisting countryside roads through quaint stone villages, with stops to sample some of the Côte-d’Or’s Grand Cru wines. All the elements coalesced perfectly for a complete sensory experience, complemented by the woody aroma of the terroir and the smell of grapes aging in the barrel.

Val D’Orcia, Tuscany

This April, I returned to Tuscany for DuVine’s annual guide training. The new guides led us on a rigorous loop of the Val D’Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the agricultural hinterland of Siena.

In Tuscany at this time of year, the wind ripples through fields of wheat and barley like an invisible wave; zooming up and down the Tuscan hills feels like riding a neon green roller coaster.

We stopped for an espresso in Pienza, a picturesque Renaissance town and the capital of Pecorino. The whole town literally smells like cheese! You can walk from store to store sampling different varieties infused with truffles, bay leaves, and peppercorn—a great snack before getting back on the bike. No wonder I keep coming back for more!

Nara to Yoshino, Japan

Japan is on my radar as an up-and-coming cycling destination. In November, I visited for the first time and rode from Nara to Yoshino, encountering bamboo forests, peaceful villages, Shinto shrines, and Buddhist temples along the way.

I was surprised and intrigued by how unique the culture was. At lunch, we took off our shoes and sat cross-legged on tatami mats, eating out of beautiful ceramic boxes filled with delicious fresh fish and tempura accompanied by steaming bowls of miso soup. English-speakers were few and far between, but it didn’t stop me from making friends and getting locals to laugh at my jokes.

The Japanese identity is strong and distinctive, from the minimalist architecture to the landscape and the language. For the culturally curious cyclist, Japan is a must-bike.

Chefs Cycle for No Kid Hungry, Sonoma

I place a lot of priority on channeling my passion for cycling into giving back—my friends joke that I’m a pro charity rider. This year, I joined fellow foodies in Sonoma for Chefs Cycle, a ride that brings together award-winning chefs and members of the culinary community to end child hunger with No Kid Hungry.

Based in Santa Rosa, the event spanned three days, covered 280+ miles, and raised more than $2 million dollars—over 20 million meals for kids facing hunger. The route looped out to the California coastline and across the hills of Sonoma.

I rode with internationally-renowned chefs like Chris Cosentino, Jason Roberts, and my friend Seamus Mullen (who led some excellent Chef on Wheels tours this year, too).

Sa Calobra, Mallorca

If Goldilocks were a cyclist, Sa Calobra is the third bowl of porridge. Long but not too long, neither too steep nor too flat, flawless pavement, and spectacular scenery—this climb is just right.

The ride follows a single, twisting road designed by engineer Antonio Parietti to attract tourists to the seaside village of Sa Calobra. Descending in, there’s a spiraling 270-degree turn, sections that zoom between towering rock faces, and absolutely excellent views of the Mediterranean.

The climb back out is 9.5 kilometers long with a 7% average grade, making it a popular among professionals but also accessible to amateurs. As you climb, cyclists cheer each other on and create a friendly sense of competition. I rode Sa Calobra with a private DuVine tour in Mallorca, and I can’t wait to go back!

Interlaken to Andermatt, Switzerland

This ride has everything a serious cyclist could ever want: 58 mountainous miles, over 12,000 feet of climbing, and out-of-this-world views. I loved it so much that DuVine launched our Switzerland Challenge Bike Tour bike tour inspired by my trip.

Narrow roads zigzag their way up and over the Alps past snow-capped massifs, jagged peaks, evergreen forests, and still blue lakes. Alpine huts perch precariously on cliffs as you wind your way around hairpin turns. The roads are a mixture of smooth pavement and storied cobblestone sections.

But don’t be fooled—the natural beauty is a distraction for some grueling Alpine passes. Together with pro cyclist Tim Johnson, I conquered the Grosse Scheidegg, the Grimsel Pass, and the Furka Pass. The Grimsel was especially challenging for me, given the long, relentless climb. It took me over two hours to get up there! By the time we reached Andermatt I was soaring on a mountain high and a cloud of endorphins.