Imagine it’s Friday morning in an office in Milan. You arrived the night before for a business trip. Leaving the hotel, you absent-mindedly slip your room keys into your pocket. As you think of the things to say at the 11 o'clock meeting, your hand touches your keys and you smile. Your colleagues notice it too, as they look at each other. It’s clear that you’re dying to get away and do something you have long dreamed of. Your bike waits for you in your hotel room and, recorded on your smartphone, a wonderful trail for the next two days: all you need is a bike and two frame bags to get out of the city and discover hidden treasures.

Unlike most car commuters, those who cycle in Milan tend to dream of escape. In part because cycling in the city is never the best, but also because many wonders are reachable within a short distance of the city’s gates.

So get ready for this cycle Tour of the Milanese metropolis – a splendid route between the Ticino and Adda rivers.

(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/)