You're in Milan Bergamo Airport at Orio al Serio, in the arrivals area. Four men in their 40s, or thereabouts, recently got off the plane and met. One arrived from Brussels-Charleroi, another from Dublin, the third from Zurich. The last to join just got off the flight from Barcelona El Prat. It’s easy to recognise that they're cyclists; along with light hand luggage, they carry large black bags containing their racing bikes.

They greet each other amicably and make their way to the bike room at the airport. A few minutes later, they emerge fully dressed in bike gear, pushing their reassembled bicycles. If you follow contemporary cycling, you might recognise the Belgian Philippe Gilbert, the Swiss Oliver Zaugg, the Irishman Daniel Martin and the Spaniard Joaquim Rodriguez, known to everyone as 'Purito'. For six consecutive seasons, their names have featured in the roll of honour of the Giro di Lombardia, one of the oldest and most prestigious international cycling races, the fifth 'Classica Monumento' of the season. Gilbert won in 2009 and 2010, Zaugg in 2011, 'Purito' in 2012 and 2013 and Martin in 2014. This time, they’ll ride as friends on those same roads for the weekend. Leaving the airport, they hop on their bikes, smiling, and take the cycle track that connects the terminal to the centre of Bergamo.

Did that really happen? No, it didn't. This story demonstrates that Milan Bergamo Airport, Europe's first bike-friendly airport, is indeed a perfect departure point for those who arrive from afar by plane with their bicycles in tow; cyclists who wish to trace the routes of great cycling champions like the roads and landscapes of the Giro di Lombardia.

So, off you go. Get ready for three days among the wonders of the roads of the Giro di Lombardia!

(Adapted for Komoot from part of the text of ‘Alvento Destinations 02’, a book featuring a dozen unconventional travel ideas across Italy. You can order your copy here: alvento.cc/prodotto/destinations-italy-unknown-2/)