Tommaso crossed Japan in 86 days, cycling more than 5,200 kilometres through onsen, forests and the wild roads near the Kumano Kodo. Michela set off from Bangkok and reached Ho Chi Minh City by way of Cambodia, riding flooded roads and ending up, by chance, as a guest at a rural wedding. Silvia celebrated her daughter Nina’s first birthday in the saddle, along EuroVelo 15. Irene followed the Rhône from Lake Geneva all the way to the Camargue.
In March they shared these experiences on stage at the Cycle Tourism Show in Padua, in front of people who really do travel by bike. For the 2027 edition, taking place from 19 to 21 March, the Show is opening the call “Cycle tourism, over to you”: the next story everyone listens to could be yours.
Every journey starts with inspiration
A bike trip begins long before the first pedal stroke. It takes shape as you listen to someone who has already ridden a road, look at a photo, or discover that a particular stretch of coast or valley is within reach of your own legs. Real examples are what turn a vague wish into a real plan, with a destination, a route and a date on the calendar.
It’s no coincidence that 81% of visitors choose the destination of their next trip right at the Show. The talks are one of the moments when that choice takes shape: listeners take home ideas, practical advice and often the courage to set off, too.
Three stages, three ways of telling a story
Proposals can be submitted for one of the three themed stages. The Palco Vie is dedicated to cycle routes, itineraries and destinations, and is the ideal space for regions, DMOs and anyone who has mapped out routes with a vision for their area. The Palco Saperi focuses on the practical side: running a bike-friendly business, planning a trip, training as an operator, understanding the market. Finally, the Palco Storie welcomes journeys, achievements and successful projects, from a round-the-world trip to a first bike ride at the age of forty: what matters is the ability to leave something with the audience.
How to take part
The call is open to everyone, with no specific requirements: companies, destinations, public bodies, tour operators, accommodation providers, guides, associations, researchers, journalists and individual travellers.
To apply, simply fill in the online form, choose the most suitable stage and describe your proposal in no more than 300 words, explaining what you want to talk about, who it’s aimed at and why your talk could interest the Show’s audience.
Applications close on 30 November 2026 and results will be announced by the end of January 2027. Each talk will last a maximum of twenty minutes. On Friday 19 March the talks will be aimed at professionals, as part of the Forum del Cicloturismo; on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 the stage will be open to the general public.
On stage you’ll find an audience of 27,000 visitors and more than 5,000 professionals over three days, plus the visibility provided by Bikeitalia, which reaches one million readers every month.
