Lake Garda is one of our favorite destinations, and we have been over 5 times.
In fact, we were there last September. However, on this trip, we were only there for one
ride. We were riding further north, but wanted to go to Riva for our favorite ride: Tremalzo.
Here is my ride report with lots of pictures.
http://biken4fun.blogspot.com/2007/09/mt-tremalzo-la-grande-salita.html
You can do the Tremalzo a zillion different ways. So far, we've done 3 different routes of it.
If you are looking for singletrack, you are not going to find it at Garda. But what you
will find is lots and lots of climbing with jaw dropping views followed by long long descents. I do not know why people wear body armor out there. Unless in all our trips, we just keep missing that one heinous ride. But as far as people wearing armor for the Tremalzo ride, don't have a clue.
Perhaps we are just stupid people, but we've never found navigating our way around the trails that easy and straightforward. Now that we have lots of experience there, we have figured it out. And gps helps. Even with detailed maps, we would often get confused. Rode with some Swiss riders on one ride, and they were just as confused. Fortunately, we had already done one part of the descent from Malga Grassi, and were able to confirm how the particular path went down.
The local publication, LagoRider (I think that's the name), is a good mag, but is only in Italian and German. With a working knowledge of either language you can make out enough to help you. We have a good collection of those yearly publications, which has helped to compile a list of routes.
We don't find too many english speaking people here, either in bike shops or otherwise. It really helps if you can speak some basic Italian, and know your bike words.
The bike shop we always end up using is:
http://www.carpentari.com/
I usually take my own bike, but my husband has rented a number of bikes from them.
Sometimes they are great, sometimes they are okay. You are going during high season, so I would reserve a bike. And even then, it may not be waiting for you when you get there. This is Italy afterall.
The first 5 times we went were either May, or late Sept/Oct and we found it refreshingly laid back and void of crowds. However, last Sept we were there the first week, and were overwhelmed at the crowds. It threw us off a bit, but then we're not much for crowds.
We stayed right smack dab in town last time, which is great if you don't ever want to fool with your car.
Here is my review of the place.
http://www.tripadvisor.it/ShowUserR...Sul_Garda_Lake_Garda_Trentino_Alto_Adige.html
The place where we normally stay, I share with great hesitation. This place is a gem and I want to keep it all to myself.
http://lacolombera.it/
Cousins, Antonio and Paulo, run this fantastic agritourism owned by their uncle, Zanoni. For the money you cannot find a better set up. We feel like family there.
I have done a number of trip reports here on mtbr passion of our various visits to Garda, but I'm too busy right now to retrieve them.
The only freaky thing about the weather there is if the winds die down and the pollution comes up thru the Piedmont Plain and just sits there, making things hazy. Keep your fingers crossed this doesn't happen, because you will be treated to magnificent views.
If you do get an apt to stay in, which I recommend, you can eat killer meals straight from the local Coop (grocery). They have fresh pesto at the meat counter. Buy some packaged tortellini/ravioli (which is better than anything fresh you get in the US) and some fresh veggies and bread. And you will have a meal that will knock your socks off.
In Torbole (town next to Riva) right on the water near the center of the action, there are great waterfront restaurants. All of these are great. We got fantastic meals there.
We prefer Torbole for our base instead of neighboring Riva. Easier to get around for us. We could do all our rides from our hotel door from Torbole.
And do take the gondola up to Mt. Baldo on a clear day if possible. Then you can ride down and over Altissimo. Beautiful from up there.
Have a great trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!