We’re back in one of our favorite corners of the world — northern Italy!
This week’s adventure brought us to Molini di Triora, a small mountain village tucked into the Italian Alps, and still one of the best (and hardest) places we’ve ever ridden.
If you’ve been following us for a while, you might remember when we rode here last May — and if you missed that trip, definitely check out our full YouTube video of mountain biking in Molini. The town may be tiny, but the riding is massive — technical, steep, and full of adventure.
🍕 The Best Pizza Near Bordighera
If you’ve been reading for a while, you might be noticing a trend — my emails (and life lately) are turning into an ongoing European pizza discovery tour 😂
This week’s winner:
Ristorante Pizzeria La Pizzetta — Bordighera, Italy
We stumbled upon this little gem in Bordighera’s old town while wandering one evening. The smell of their wood-fired oven drew us in immediately, and I swear you can just tell when a pizza place is going to be great by the look of that oven.
The crust was perfectly charred, airy, and full of flavor, with fresh, high-quality ingredients that burst with taste — something we just don’t find in most US pizza spots.
If you’re ever in the area, this one’s worth a short drive (and maybe a second visit 😉).
💪 Outdoor Workout Playgrounds All Over Europe
One of the coolest things we’ve noticed during our travels through Europe is how common outdoor workout parks are — and how much people actually use them!
We’ve seen these in Barcelona, Nice, and now Bordighera — all right along the ocean. They usually include pull-up bars, dip stations, box jumps, and other simple but super functional equipment.
As someone who loves staying fit on the road, I can’t help but think:
We need so many more of these in the US.
They’re perfect for travelers, locals, and anyone who wants to move their body without needing a gym.
🚵♂️ Our First Solo Mountain Bike Ride in Italy
Now let’s talk about the real reason we’re here — mountain biking in Italy.
The trails around Bordighera are wild — not just in the fun way, but in the hold-on-and-hope-you-make-it way. There are no proper climbing trails, so you end up pedaling up steep, narrow roads filled with switchbacks and small cars that feel way too close for comfort.
Then you get to the top and drop in… and it’s chaos in the best way.
We rode a black trail that would easily be considered a double black diamond almost anywhere else (except maybe in BC). Big rock chutes, switchbacks, tight corners, and fast sections that had us grinning and terrified at the same time.
Also — let’s talk about these roads.
Two cars barely fit side by side, so every blind corner is a little adrenaline hit. But here’s the cool part: no one is looking at their phone while driving. Everyone’s fully present — because they have to be.
🇮🇹 Wrapping Up Another Week in Italy
Every week here feels like a new adventure — mountain biking, exploring tiny pizza joints, or finding another outdoor gym by the sea.
We’re loving the rhythm of European life: ride hard, eat well, move often, and slow down just enough to appreciate the view.
Who knows what we’ll discover next week — but you can bet it’ll involve bikes, good food, and maybe another hidden gem in the Italian Alps.
Ciao for now!
— Joe
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