Serrabike MTB: start, route and clothing
If you're considering the Serrabike MTB, the thing to understand immediately is this: it's not a short trip to decide at the last minute. It starts from Zubiena, it returns to Zubiena and the indicated distance is 61 km. The route runs along the crests of the morainic Serra that separates the Biellese from the Canavese, mainly follows wide dirt roads and also includes singletrack, including the section called “Eden”. Before thinking about the right jersey, it's worth asking yourself if you really want to be comfortable on the saddle for a ride of this length.
Where to start
Open the start point pin on Google Maps: Zubiena (45.491268000, 7.996983000)
Route map
The line follows the GPX track published by the indicated source. Use it to orient yourself, but always check signage, conditions and notices before setting out.
We’ll send you links to this route’s official GPX track and its starting points.
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Highlights along the route
Route sheet
- Length: 61 km
- Elevation gain: 800 m
- Maximum elevation: 785 m (calculated from the GPX track)
- Loop route: yes
To set up equipment without overdoing it, you can start from the cycling collection: it helps you think about garments designed for hours of movement, temperature variations and uneven ground.
Serrabike mtb: what kind of ride are you really choosing
The Serrabike is also listed as a historic marathon race valid for the Italian FCI championship. That fact alone isn't enough to tell you how you'll find the route on the day you go out, but it says something about its character. You're not choosing a calm bike path, nor an easy recovery pedal.
The fact that the track mainly follows wide dirt roads should be read carefully. On paper it can seem reassuring. In practice it means many hours in which position, pedaling continuity and body management matter more than a technical surprise.
So it doesn't necessarily mean you need an aggressive setup. Rather, you need equipment that won't bother you after the first hour. Shorts that shift, jerseys that stay damp too long, glasses that fog up: over 61 km these become concrete problems.
The presence of singletrack changes the picture again. If the route were nothing but wide dirt, you could afford more generic clothing. With sections like “Eden”, better to wear apparel that stays composed when you stand on the pedals, shift your weight or tighten the lines.
What to check before you leave
Before heading out, check updated weather, route conditions and any official notices for the day. On a long loop, a small mistake at the start is felt much more at the finish. This article does not replace up-to-date operational directions from authorities, organizers or managers.
- Check the weather for the actual time window when you'll be riding.
- Check for any warnings or temporary restrictions on the areas you'll cross.
- Consider total time away from home, not just time in motion.
- Check whether the gear you chose holds up to variable light, dirt tracks and temperature changes.
There’s also a simple but often overlooked check: the departure time. Over 61 km the available light affects you as much as your legs. If you expect to get back late, having a reasonable visibility margin is more useful than carrying unnecessary layers.
How to dress when the route is long and the pace changes
The seasons listed are spring, late spring–summer and autumn. They’re not equivalent months. But they have one thing in common: on a long ride you can start cool, heat up a lot on the bike and cool down as soon as you slow down.
That’s why the base layer shouldn’t aim only at the initial feeling. It must manage moisture, ventilation and comfort in the riding position. If a jersey feels fine at the car park but after forty minutes stays wet or pulls on the shoulders, it’s the wrong choice even if the fabric seems technical.
For a man, the T-shirt Reform Enduro Men Turmaline Navy has a clear logic in this context. The description mentions recycled materials, freedom of movement, breathability and a relaxed fit. Translated to real use: it’s a jersey to consider if you want a piece that won’t stiffen the torso or bother you when changing typical MTB positions.
If you prefer a merino wool base, the Trick Charcoal Men's Grey T-shirt offers thermoregulation and odor control thanks to ZQ merino wool. It makes sense especially if you ride in transitional seasons or want a more versatile piece. The limitation should be stated clearly: on very hot and intense days, some will prefer the drier feel of a dedicated bike jersey.
For a woman, the T-shirt MTB Pure 3/4 Jersey Women Epidote Green is interesting because the sheet mentions a lightweight mesh fabric, breathability, quick drying and 3/4 sleeves. It’s a useful combo when you want more coverage than a very open T‑shirt but don’t want to move to a heavy jersey. The stated cut being compatible with body armour also makes it sensible if your riding is more MTB than relaxed touring.
If you start early or ride in cooler conditions, the Women’s LS Half Zip T‑shirt White adds a practical advantage: the half zip. Being able to open and close ventilation as the pace changes is worth more than many secondary details. Again there’s a trade‑off: a well‑fitting long sleeve can avoid constant layer changes, but in milder hours it may feel excessive.
Shorts and saddle comfort: mistakes here are costly
On a route this long, the wrong short shows up quickly. It’s not only about the outer fabric. What matters most is what happens when you stay seated and pedal for hours.
For men, the Pantaloncini Re-cycle Boxer Men Uranium Black deserve attention for a specific detail: the description indicates a large pad and a construction without the compression typical of bib shorts. If you want support over distance but dislike a too‑restrictive feel, it’s a sensible setup.
Over that, as an outer layer, the Shorts Essential Enduro Men Sylvanite Grey focus on lightweight, durable nylon fabric, an elastic component, pockets and a waistband elastic, plus compatibility with knee pads. They work if you want more visual and practical freedom compared with a tight short. They’re not mandatory for everyone: on hotter days or with a more marathon setup, some will prefer a more minimalist solution.
For women, the Up Cyclist Women's Shorts Black are a proposal very focused on on‑bike use. The sheet cites stretch jersey, UV protection, an elasticated waistband, a silicone gripper hem, a front zip pocket and DWR 4‑way stretch nylon fabric that’s water‑repellent. These aren’t decorative details. They mean stability, less garment movement and fewer pressure points during continuous pedalling.
The check to do is physical and simple. Always try the garment by bending forward, not just standing. See if the waist stays put, if the fabric pulls on the hips and if folds form in the groin that then increase when you’re in the saddle. This test is worth more than many tech sheets.
Glasses: they’re not needed only in sun
On dirt, ridgelines and faster sections, glasses help manage wind, dust, insects and changes in light. Sutro Lite Sweep (Vented) Sunglasses Matte White/Prizm Road Jade they have ventilated lenses designed to improve airflow and reduce fogging; Prizm Road Jade technology is described as useful for enhancing color and contrast. They’re therefore a sensible choice if your main annoyance is the lens fogging up as soon as you slow down or sweat more.
The Fury Sunglasses Dark Grey/Orange Reactiv 0-3 they instead work on a wide field of view, ventilation and Reactiv 0-3 lenses. On a long ride, where light can change between open sections and forest, this adaptability can be more important than the frame’s aesthetics.
What to actually bring
On a ride like this it pays to cut the superfluous. Bring what improves comfort and the management of the outing. The rest often weighs you down, bounces in pockets and ends up annoying you.
If timing and season require it, the Sprint Plus Headlamp can make sense as a prudent margin. The product page presents it as an accessory for outdoor activities and cycling in low-light conditions, with a lightweight, ergonomic design. It’s not an invitation to turn the outing into a planned return in the dark. It’s simply support if timings run long or the light falls sooner than expected.
It makes less sense to overdress because you feel freezing at the start. On a long, ridden route it’s often better to use lightweight layers that dry and regulate well, rather than something too protective from the first minutes.
For whom this ride is more appropriate
The Serrabike works better if you’re after a true, wide-ranging MTB outing: a loop starting and ending in Zubiena, development along the moraine Serra, mainly unpaved surfaces and presence of singletrack. It’s less suitable if you want a short first ride or a completely even pedal.
The practical rule here is very simple: dress for the third hour, not for the first ten minutes. If you want to compare other items with this usage logic, you can look at the cycling selection of Ski Sises.
FAQ
Where does the Serrabike start and finish?
The Serrabike starts in Zubiena and returns to Zubiena as a loop ride.
How long is the Serrabike?
The indicated distance is 61 km. For that reason it’s best considered a ride to plan properly, not a short improvised spin.
What surface should be expected on the Serrabike?
The route mainly follows wide dirt roads, but also includes singletrack. Among these is the section riders call “Eden”.
In which seasons is the Serrabike recommended?
The indicated seasons are spring, late spring–summer and autumn. Before setting off it’s still useful to recheck the weather, route conditions and official updates.
How should you dress for a long MTB ride like the Serrabike?
Aim for breathable garments that stay stable in motion and suit many hours in the saddle. In mild conditions lightweight jerseys and cycling or MTB shorts make sense; in cooler temperatures you need a layer that regulates temperature without becoming too warm once the pace rises.
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