The Bike Festival in Riva del Garda, Trentino, Italy, is a unique event for bike enthusiasts, especially mountain bikers. It takes place every year in Riva del Garda and attracts thousands of participants and visitors from all over the world.
The Riva del Garda Bike Festival was born in the mid-1990s by the intuition of Uli Stanciu, who was able to combine the leading role of a nation, Germany, for the then emerging discipline of mountain biking and the
Garda Trentino
, an ideal vacation destination for its fellow citizens. The Bike Festival began as a small event dedicated to mountain biking. Over the years it has grown to become one of the largest and most prestigious off-road bike festivals in Europe.
Its success lies in its ability to combine various elements of cycling culture. In fact, a wide range of activities including races and side events, product displays and community gatherings are organized during the Festival, all set against the breathtaking backdrop of Lake Garda and the mountains of Trentino.
The Riva Bike Festival is held early in May, lasting a few days (usually a long weekend), with events taking place from sunrise to sunset.
The races: pedal and follow the flow of two wheels while enjoying mile after mile of spectacular scenery. Mountain bike, cross-country, downhill, enduro and other competitions have found their place at the Riva Bike Festival over time. For 2024, Bike Marathon, Gravel, eMTB, Junior Trophy (race for children from 3 to 14 years old) will be organized.
Also, ahead of the event’s 30th anniversary, Bike Festival Riva is launching a new contest aimed at all bike companies who want to present their best product of the year to the bike world. 4 bike categories provided: full mountain bike, front mountain bike, eMTB, gravel bike.
There are also non-competitive events aimed at engaging the whole family and promoting an active and healthy lifestyle through cycling: easy and scenic bike rides along the shores of Lake Garda, suitable for all ages; mini mountain bike courses for children to learn the basics of safe and fun riding in a controlled environment; educational workshops on topics such as bicycle maintenance, road safety, and the importance of physical activity; dedicated play areas for young children, with facilities such as trampolines, inflatables, and other fun attractions; and family bike rides led by local experts showing the most beautiful and interesting places in the surrounding area.
For adults and experienced bikers, on the other hand, activities are organized to suit different preferences and abilities: cross-country, downhill, enduro and other mountain bike competitions, offering the chance to compete against other bikers or simply challenge themselves on challenging trails; test sessions of new bike and equipment models from leading industry brands, allowing participants to test the latest innovations and technologies; guided mountain bike rides on scenic and challenging trails, offering the opportunity to explore the area’s breathtaking scenery; technical workshops on topics such as bicycle maintenance, advanced riding techniques, and athletic preparation for racing; and lectures and seminars given by industry experts, covering topics such as sports nutrition, the psychology of competition, and the latest trends in cycling. These activities aim to engage adults and experienced bikers in challenging and rewarding experiences, providing them with opportunities to improve their skills, share experiences with other enthusiasts, and discover the latest in the industry.
The Riva Bike Festival is also the largest bicycle fair in Europe. The dedicated expo area features product displays with test sessions of the latest innovations and equipment, technical workshops, guided tours and other activities related to the world of off-road biking. Numerous brands of bicycles and cycling equipment are participating in the Bike Festival in Riva del Garda. The most renowned brands in the industry, such as Specialized, Scott, Bosch, Trek, Cannondale, Giant and many others, are present with exhibition booths, offering participants the opportunity to try out their latest bikes and products and interact directly with industry representatives and experts.
Venture into the wonderful world of bikers: go with the flow and experience every moment.
To mark the anniversary of the Riva Bike Festival, another new feature are the tours
eMTB Adventure
and Enduro Experiences: tours led by professional eMTB guides to discover the most beautiful landscapes of Garda Trentino.
The Riva del Garda Festival is also (or especially) a unique opportunity for cycling enthusiasts to meet, share experiences and discover the latest in the world of cycling.
Bike Festival Riva 2024 (May 2 – 5, 2024) in figures:
1,500+ bikes to try out * 350+ brands on display * 7 races and side events * 2,500 expected participants
Located on the northern shores of Lake Garda in Trentino, Italy, Riva del Garda is a picturesque location nestled between the waters of the lake and the heights of the surrounding mountains.
During the Riva del Garda Bike Festival, the city undergoes a vibrant and dynamic transformation. The main streets and squares are alive with exhibition booths and side events. Local restaurants and bars can offer cycling-related culinary specialties, while bicycle stores and outdoor activities broaden and expand their offerings to accommodate more visitors.
The streets around the city center are alive with events and activities, such as urban mountain bike races, bicycle stunt demonstrations, and freestyle exhibitions. In addition, the city’s sports and recreational facilities, such as parks and bike paths, can be used to host various festival-related competitions and activities.
In short, Riva del Garda transforms into a vibrant center of cycling during the Bike Festival, welcoming bikers and cycling enthusiasts from around the world to celebrate the culture and passion for the sport.
The lively atmosphere and spectacular setting around Lake Garda make the Riva del Garda Bike Festival a must-attend event for anyone who loves cycling, whether professional or amateur.
You can’t miss it either!
Book your accommodation now @palazzoriccamboni. Available to bikers are apartments with all the comforts, including a bicycle storage room on the ground floor, with personal code access and video surveillance, to keep your bike safe and secure; bicycle rental agreement with reserved discount; laundry room for shared use; private parking space.