It came about pretty much by accident. Three friends united by a passion for bikes with some serious gears simply decided to set up a group – MTB Chiavennese - to promote and popularise the practice of mountain biking locally. Subsequent initiatives are many and varied aimed at a wide range of bicycle enthusiasts. Group outings, courses for children, cycle-path renewal and much more. On the 3rd June the association will organise the Trofeo della Mera, the 4th stage of the Valtellina Circuit. A day which will see the pathways of Valchiavenna welcome bikers from a wide range of provinces in order to tackle this particularly stimulating trail. Valchiavenna, along with rest of Italy is anticipating the beginning of a new era. That of the bicycle. Numbers provided in January this year by the Report on Food and Wine tourism in Italy prepared by the University of Bergamo alongside the World Food Tourism Association describes a hugely attractive reality. Our “Bel Paese”  boasts 821 Food & Wine Geographic recommendations, 586 restaurants of excellence, 11,329 farm restaurants, 18.632 holiday farms with accommodation, 169 Excursions along Wine and Flavour Trails, 12,446 holiday farms offering wide ranges of tourist propositions, such as horse-riding stables, guided outings on foot or indeed – mountain biking. It’s a role which will place the bicycle at the very heart of the entire tourist panorama, which promises to re-engage with a market and an economy.