For those who think cycling from Brescia to Bergamo, or vice versa, is - with the roads, traffic, and pollution - pure madness. Edicyclo has just published a walking guide connecting Brescia to Bergamo (and Bergamo to Brescia), but there's a chapter dedicated to the possibility of covering the same route with gravel and mountain bikes, respecting the original path as much as possible, and where not feasible, following some alternative routes.

Titled "The Sisters' Way", written by Alessia Marsigalia and Alessio Guitti (pocket-sized, 128 pages, 14.50 euros), it consists of instructions, descriptions, indications, information, maps and GPX tracks, altimetry and photographs, addresses and phone numbers. In total, 130 km through 35 municipalities, two UNESCO sites (in Brescia the San Salvatore-Santa Giulia monumental complex, in Bergamo the walls), three wine areas (Franciacorta, Valcalepio and Moscato di Scanzo), two regional and six supra-municipal parks, and a nature reserve (Torbiere del Sebino), in six stages (on foot) or three (by bike), crossing other paths and roads.

By bike, the first stage goes from Brescia to Provaglio d'Iseo (about 45 km) passing through Collebeato, Gussago, Rodengo Saiano, Ome and Monticelli Brusati; the second from Provaglio d'Iseo to Bagnatica (about 65 km) passing through Cortefranca, Adro, Capriolo, Paratico, Sarnico, Credaro, Gandosso, Chiuduno, Carobbio degli Angeli, Gorlago, Montello and Costa di Mezzate; the third from Bagnatica to Bergamo (around 40 km) passing through Albano Sant'Alessandro, Scanzorosciate, Villa di Serio and Nembro. Obviously, the stages can be modulated differently. Or you can always take the simpler Culture Cycle Path in the valley.