Tour Biella e Buona - Gattinara–Lessona first MTB stage: route and clothing
To prepare Tour Biella e Buona - Gattinara-Lessona first MTB stage, start from the real use of the route and the verifiable equipment.
Where to start
Open the start-point pin on Google Maps: Gattinara (45.617193000, 8.371399000)
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: 27 km
- Elevation gain: 600 m
- Maximum elevation: 431 m (calculated from the GPX track)
- Loop route: no
If you’re thinking about the first stage of the Tour Biella e Buona, the real decision is this: 27 km with 600 m of ascent between Gattinara and Lessona ask for continuity more than aggression. It isn’t a ride to approach with race logic. It matters more to arrive with a setup that lets you breathe, be comfortable on the saddle and adjust layers as temperature and wind change. Before you head out, check especially your real range, bike condition and clothing: if you get those wrong, the route feels harder than it needs to.
If you want guidance on garments and accessories consistent with this use, in the collection cycling you’ll find a selection to read according to the season and your riding style.
Which route are you really choosing
The Tour Biella e Buona is divided into 3 stages. The route develops east toward Gattinara and west toward Viverone; this first stage starts in Gattinara and ends in Lessona. The idea of the tour is to highlight the rural landscape of Biella and Vercelli between wine and rice, so the context matters as much as the sporting effort.
Here you pedal through the vineyards of Alto Piemonte, among rural villages and farms. Views open onto the plain and the hills, with the Monte Rosa massif to the north. Practically speaking this means riding in an open environment where sun, wind and stops greatly affect thermal sensation. If you start too warmly dressed, you’ll notice quickly.
What to check before you leave
The stage is suitable for winter, spring, late spring–summer and autumn. That doesn’t simplify garment choices: it complicates them a bit, because the same itinerary changes a lot between a cool morning and a warmer day.
Always check updated weather, route conditions and any official notices for the day. Don’t assume surface, dryness, visibility or passage just because the route is published. If you expect an early start or a return with uncertain light, also consider how visible you’ll be and what you need to see well.
- Check tyre pressure, brakes and drivetrain shortly before leaving.
- Bring water and an energy reserve proportional to your timings, not to others'.
- Choose garments that are easy to open, remove or ventilate without wasting time.
- If time is tight, consider a light as a practical margin, not a detail.
How to dress for a stage like this
On 27 km with 600 m of ascent a simple system usually works better. A next-to-skin layer that manages moisture, a garment over it that doesn’t limit movement, shorts suited to the time in the saddle and eyewear that helps vision in open environments. The heaviest garment is rarely the best answer.
The reason is practical. On the bike you generate heat quickly, but you lose it as soon as you slow down or stop. If you sweat too much at the start, during stops or windy sections the sensation changes immediately. That’s why it’s wise to choose adjustable, low-bulk garments, not only technically rated pieces on paper.
Technical jersey or merino: which makes more sense here
If you expect a mild or warm day and want a jersey cut expressly aimed at mountain biking, the T-shirt Reform Enduro Men Turmaline Navy is a straightforward option: the description mentions recycled materials, freedom of movement, breathability, lightness and comfort. On a stage like this that means something concrete: you can ride without feeling constrained in your motion, especially if you alternate flowing sections and accelerations.
For a female cyclist, the T-shirt MTB Pure 3/4 Jersey Women Epidote Green adds two useful elements for rides in milder conditions: a lightweight mesh fabric designed for warm weather with good breathability and quick drying, and 3/4 sleeves for a bit more coverage. You don’t necessarily need 3/4 sleeves on this route, but they can be a sensible choice if you prefer less direct sun on your arms or want a jersey that stays tidy even with cool morning air.
If you ride in transitional seasons or know you suffer from temperature swings, merino can be more balanced than a very minimal jersey. The Men's Ocean S/S T-shirt Blue is 100% Merino wool and is described as having thermoregulating and anti-odor properties. In practice: it’s appealing when you want a base layer that doesn’t wet out on the skin quickly and stays manageable for several hours.
For women, the Women’s LS Half Zip T‑shirt White makes sense on cool days. It’s 100% Merino Reda Active® and the half zip allows adjustable ventilation. The useful point isn’t the aesthetic detail, but control: unzip when the effort rises, zip up as soon as the air changes or you stop.
If you want to compare other similar options without leaving the theme, you can review the cycling collection starting from the season when you actually plan to use these items.
The shorts determine more comfort than they seem
On a stage like this the shorts should be chosen honestly. If 27 km and 600 m are routine for you, you can tolerate a less structured option. If you’re sensitive to the saddle or out for several hours, you should be more careful here.
For men, the Pantaloncini Re-cycle Boxer Men Uranium Black have the most useful advantage for this context: a large pad. They’re also described as lightweight, breathable and fast-drying. They’re a focused choice if your main issue is saddle comfort, not external trail aesthetics.
For women, the Up Cyclist Women's Shorts Black work well when you want a fit more specific to pedaling: stretch jersey, UV protection, elastic waistband, silicone gripper at the hem, DWR nylon 4-way stretch water-repellent fabric and a front zip pocket. In practice they stay more stable while you pedal and move with you. The water-repellent finish helps with light moisture but doesn’t replace full protection in continuous rain.
Glasses: they matter more than expected
A route through hills, vineyards and open rural areas isn’t extreme, but it tires the eyes more than you’d think. Side light, wind and dust can strain you even when the pedaling is steady. That’s why eyewear isn’t a secondary accessory.
The Sutro Lite Sweep (Vented) Sunglasses Matte White/Prizm Road Jade have two stated features that really matter here: ventilated lenses to improve airflow and reduce fogging, and Prizm Road Jade technology designed to enhance color and contrast. On a ride like this that means fewer unnecessary stops and a cleaner read of light and terrain.
The Fury Sunglasses Dark Grey/Orange Reactiv 0-3 instead emphasize a wide field of view and ventilation, with a Reactiv 0-3 lens. If you prefer a single pair of glasses to use as light changes during the day, that setup can make sense. The criterion is always the same: steady comfort and readable vision, not an aggressive look.
What not to overcomplicate
On this first stage a sober but coherent setup often performs better. A jersey that manages sweat and temperature well, shorts right for your time in the saddle, and glasses that don’t distract you. The rest depends on season, your pace and how easily you feel cold or hot.
A very protective solution can be excessive in late spring or summer. Conversely, in transitional seasons underestimating the base layer is a common mistake: you start off fine, then during breaks you stay damp and lose comfort. The sensible choice gives you room to regulate without piling on unnecessary garments.
From Gattinara to Lessona: better to arrive comfortable than to start overloaded
This stage combines 27 km, 600 m of elevation and a very recognizable rural landscape of vineyards, villages and farms. If you approach it with realistic expectations and garments chosen for ventilation, continuity and saddle comfort, the route reads better physically too.
If you want to build your setup calmly, you can start from the cycling selection of Ski Sises and compare items based on the season and how you actually ride.
FAQ
How long is the first stage of the Tour Biella e Buona between Gattinara and Lessona?
The first stage is 27 km in total with an indicated ascent of 600 m. To know if it suits you, your continuity in the saddle matters more than the mere number of kilometres.
In which season can you ride the Gattinara–Lessona stage by bike?
The stage is suitable for winter, spring, late spring–summer and autumn. For this reason it’s wise to think about layers: between morning, exposed sections and stops the feel of the weather can change a lot.
What landscape does the first stage of the Tour Biella e Buona cross?
The stage between Gattinara and Lessona runs through the Alto Piemonte vineyards, passing rural villages and farms. The route was created to promote and showcase the rural landscape of Biella and Vercelli, between wine and rice.
For a cycling stage like this is a merino jersey better or a technical jersey?
It depends mainly on season and personal preference. A light technical jersey is more direct on hot days; a merino garment can be more balanced when you want steadier management of moisture, temperature and odours over several hours.
What should you check before setting off for Gattinara–Lessona?
You should check the updated weather, route conditions and any official notices for the day. Also check brakes, tyres, drivetrain, water, your range and visibility if you leave early or return with uncertain light.
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