From Guiding to Building Bike Paths, Paolo Tabarretti Leads the Way in Italy
On Saturday mornings, Paolo Tabarretti can be found climbing all over the mountains near his home near the Adriatic Sea with his 2 1/2 year-old son, Andrea, for their ritual Sabato di Papa'. His youngest, Alessandro, is four months old and is still home with mom, Roberta.
During tour season, Paolo can also be found guiding with Ciclismo Classico, sometimes starting a Bike Across Italy trip which starts in his home town of Fano, pedaling in Puglia or guiding family tours in Sardegna or Tuscany.
In his seventh year of guiding for Ciclismo, Paolo says his favorite part of guiding is, very simply, the people. In true Italian spirit, Paolo loves the excitement before a tour. "It's the same feeling as when I invite friends to my home," he told me. "Inviting in people to share food and wine with is something that makes me very happy."
Paolo lit up when he started talking about Puglia, the region located in the heel of the boot. "Puglia is my favorite, I love the style of the people and the architecture." Puglia, in particular, stands out to him because of how different every day on tour is. "You never know what to expect because every day is something completely different--from a hands-on cooking school, resort hotel to then small villages and rustic accommodations."
"Nothing is like seeing and being with family. The best thing I do on tour is visit the Peppino family with our guests."
He also thinks the food in Puglia is out of this world. The rich soil allows for some of the most flavorful food. Olive trees are all over the landscape. So it was natural that I'd like to know if Puglia has the tastiest olive oil anywhere. Paolo warned me that every Italian will tell you that the olive oil that they make themselves or the oil from their hometown is the best. So, according to Paolo, the olive oil from Fano trumps all.
Being a true outdoorsman, Paolo studied environmental sciences in college and 10 years ago started a map making business with a friend, also with a passion for being outside. They used GIS to make the system which allowed them to create maps for biking and hiking the Italian landscape. This was before Google Maps and Earth so was profitable at that time.
Recently, Paolo has shifted gears to working for the local government of Fano to evaluate the materials companies use and ensure the disposal processes are environmentally safe. He works hard in this position as he knows it benefits his children. "The people before me in this position weren't so precise," he laughed. "You get paid the same no matter how hard you work. Fortunately, I don't speak I don't care. I do care very much and I put a lot into my work."
Paolo brings this same work ethic with him when he guides on every tour. He knows a lot of the history of Italy as well as those fun facts of who lived in that crazy castle up there on that faraway hill--and he enjoys sharing this with guests. Being a dad and loving kids, he also really shines on our family tours. After talking with Paolo (& Simone, another one of our guides who does family trips), it's clear that these guys have more fun with the kids than anyone else on those tours.
Bicycle advocacy in Italy is gaining momentum and Paolo is helping to lead the charge. The culture and respect around bicycling in Italy is quickly apparent to American visitors, but still there is work to be done. Paolo is currently involved in working towards getting a bike path built from Fano to Urbino. Not too long ago, he wrapped up work with his organization For.Bici for a bike path from Fano to Pesaro which runs along the Adriatic Sea. "It's really nice." Paolo beamed. "We're converting rails to trails." He was on the inaugural ride and videoed the festive event.
Paolo works every day to better the lives of his family and he brings this same passion on tour. He'll lead you off the beaten path and help you discover the real Italy as he welcomes you to his home as part of his family.
