Let's – together – give it a try. Imagine a July day, today, on your bicycle, on the country trails of Piedmont, a circular route. Of the 36 selected, described and mapped – pages 10 and 11 – nine can be done by bicycle (the others on foot), seven of the nine are circular, three of the seven are also recommended for summer.

Let's see – together – the first proposal. It's located in the Roero and Monferrato area, it's the Altopiano delle bicocche, starting and finishing point in Villanova d'Asti, a total of 36.9 km and 210 meters of elevation gain, 2 hours and 40 minutes on secondary roads. The village of Corveglia should be memorable, dating back to the year 1000, once a female convent, a pilgrims' hostel, a military fortress, a male monastery, a place of brutal family vendettas, finally a farmhouse and, today, an agritourism business.

Let's see – together – also the second proposal. This one is also in Roero and Monferrato, starting and finishing point in Lu, 25.7 km the distance and 380 meters the elevation gain, 2 hours and 15 minutes the travel time still on secondary roads. Lu – as quick as Ne, Re, Ro and Vò – is administratively linked to Cùccaro (where Niels Liedholm, the Baron, a football player and coach, had vineyards), has 1200 inhabitants, 10 churches and a tower that guards the history of a golden casket, stolen by a thief, caught and beheaded, with his head placed in an iron cage. But be careful: the guide suggests it's better to cycle in spring and autumn.

Let's see – together – also the third proposal. This time we're in the Provincia Granda, in the Cuneese area, starting and finishing point at the Staffarda Abbey, a ride of 30.7 km with an elevation gain of 120 meters lasting two and a half hours, always on secondary roads. It's a wide loop near Saluzzo, on the left bank of the Po, where you leave the mountains behind and embrace the plains. The ancient monks proved to be capable farmers, so much so that the abbey became a commercial hub, among markets and fairs. And in any case, it's a triumph of woods and orchards, rows of vines and farmhouses.

In short, it works. With Albano Marcarini, the author, and Ediciclo, the publisher, you could have imagined it. "Atlas of Country Trails – Piedmont on Foot and by Bicycle" is a square and elegant work, 216 pages, 22 euros, well-documented, equipped with addresses and phone numbers, enriched by illustrations and photographs. The third chapter of a series that has already promoted Lombardy and Eastern Liguria, "Atlas of Country Trails" is a journey composed of 36 itineraries, full of affection and respect, to trust and to entrust yourself to.