Every time I get lost in my life's clutter I find my way back to my own identity by focusing my attention back to EuroVelo. Bike touring or writing about it both anchor me to what really matters, enjoying life and sharing that joy with others, especially these days when so much tension is in the air.
Now, let me take you back with me to the autumn of 2024, when I chose to shift direction and head south this time on EuroVelo 7, as northern Italy was dealing with particularly bad weather. In my previous post I was telling you that I ended my 2022 tour close to the border with Austria which of course I was planning to continue the following year, but unfortunately 2023 was a particular difficult year for me with no extra budget for international bike touring. Instead, I joined an organized trip alongside a group of other cycling enthusiasts for a local bike tour here in Romania, exploring the Danube Delta region. I think this area has strong potential to one day be included in EuroVelo 6 and I plan to return to write about it after I present you this tour.
I had already purchased my plane tickets well in advance to get a better price, but the weather is always a gamble. As the departure date approached, heavy rainfall was forecast for the South Tyrol region. Since touring in the rain is no fun, missing all the beautiful mountain views, I decided instead to change the plan and take a train from Treviso to sunny Rome, rent a bike there, and head south along the same EuroVelo 7 route, just in the opposite direction.
The first thing I do when I arrive in Italy is eating a pizza, and they’re usually all great here.
On my way to Nomad Hostel I usually stop here for dinner. This hostel which is only 10 min walking from the airport is really a good option if you are on a budged and don't mind sharing the room with couple of strangers for a night.
Breakfast here is quite basic, but you can enjoy a proper cappuccino at a nearby shopping center that has a nice coffee shop called Nabi.
Luckily the closest bus station to go to the train station is only 4 min away.
I booked a night at the Generator Hostel because it’s very close to the train station and I had my bike panniers with me, which are not very comfortable to carry without a bike. It's not the safest neighborhood to walk around at night as my first impression but personally I had no incidents.
After a quick check-in, I dropped my luggage in the room and went straight out to enjoy the evening, wandering through Rome’s streets toward the bike rental place where I’d be picking up the bike the next morning at 10.
Here is an image generated by Gemini for context:
Today turned out to be a fascinating day. I’ve always loved traveling by train, even more so with a high-speed one like Frecciarossa, but the contrast between that modern experience 2000 yrs later and Rome’s ancient architecture all in one day, really gave me something to think about human evolution while enjoying a beer for dinner. I’m truly happy to be back in Italy to continue the EuroVelo 7 route for the next couple of days, this time heading south from Rome to Naples.
Took me one year to start rolling again I know, but this was the hardest part, so let's keep rolling!
Until next time,
©Discover EuroVelo
All photos were taken with my iPhone 15.
EuroVelo, the European Cycle Route Network are registered marks of ECF asbl.
I have no affiliation with EuroVelo or other organisations mentioned here, I am just a traveller sharing his bike touring trips, views and opinions.
EuroVelo is a network of 17 long distance cycle routes connecting and uniting the whole European continent totaling over 90,000 km of cycling itineraries.