DH, DS, and I just finished a bike ride on an interstate to celebrate it's opening, there was also a festival going on with lots of US flags(for Veteran's Day)right next to combines, classic cars and a Revolutionary War Encampment!

My son remarked what a great piece of Americana it was, and how great would it be if we could find a similar small festival, or better yet, bike ride in the 3 countries we will be visiting next year(Italy-Austria-Germany). Any resources you could suggest?

try www.ecf.com - the European cyclist federation

You might check out the "Happy Mosel" bikefest. Here is an article about it:

http://www.bentrideronline.com/featu...happymosel.htm

Regards, Gary

For 2008 it appears to be 18 May 2008:

http://www.happy-mosel.com/

Regards, Gary

Hi Iv - Will you be there in the summer?

There's an annual Dolomites bike ride around the mountain passes of the Sella Ronda each July.

Only for the seriously fit, mind

http://www.valgardena.it/?artid=849

http://www.sellarondabikeday.com/

Steve

Bike as in bicycle or as in motorbike?

Thanks for the suggestions
Sorry, should've added more info...we will be traveling mid September to Munich, Salzburg, Rome and surrounding area, obviously can't cycle in Rome, but maybe outskirts? We have done bicycle rides through local bike clubs here and would like that same local feeling. We are in decent shape, but there aren't too many mountains in IL!

We will check out the ECF website.

Any members of ADFC or clubs near Rome Salzburg out there?

I used to live in Eichstatt in the Altmuhl valley north of Munich. It is a well-known cycling area for German tourists. I don't know about any festivals there. The official tourist web site is in German only but if you are interested you can find some descriptions of the area in English by googling Altmuhl and bicycling. for example
http://bicyclegermany.com/Altmuhl.htm