In Monferrato dialect they call them 'bric e foss', these up-and-down roads that wind through the hills and valleys, woods and vineyards of Monferrato. They also go through the Po valley, whose rippling waters link hill and flat country.
Monferrato offers slow holidays that take in landscapes, art, history, food and wine.
Monsterrato - Strade Bianche (the tracks of Monferrato) is one of many suggested routes for discovering the area. Each route is linked to a past champion of cycling from the region. This one is dedicated to the great Giovanni Gerbi, known as the Red Devil (Asti, 4 June 1885 – Asti, 6 May 1955), who was one of the great pioneers of cycling in the early 20th century. Gerbi was proud of his moniker, earned thanks to his combative spirit and the colour of the jersey he wore. The singer-songwriter Paolo Conte was also from Asti and dedicated his song Diavolo Rosso (Red Devil) to him. It tells the epic stories and ambitious feats of the professional cyclist.
The Red Devil route starts in Camagna Monferrato and carries on through Conzano, along a series of tracks to Occimiano. From here a track brings you to Giarole and the first climb to Pomaro Monferrato, which stands out because of its beautiful castle. Go to the banks of the river Po at Bozzole and along them until the foot of the second gravel climb on the route, which brings you to the top of Monte Valenza. After some ups and downs you'll arrive in San Salvatore Monferrato, where there's a little square dedicated to cycling legend Alfonsina Strada (Castelfranco Emilia, 16 March 1891 – Milan, 13 September 1959). She was the only woman to take on her male counterparts at the 1924 Giro d'Italia. Go down to the hamlet of Fosseto and take a little road to the junction with the SP 31. Cross it and go on to the road to Valdolenga, then turn off onto Strada Borghina until Lu. Here there's a tarmac road with a pretty view waiting for you. It takes you to Cuccaro Monferrato, from where you go down into the Rotaldo valley and start the final track, the homeward stretch to Camagna Monferrato.