sampling northwest Italy: Piemonte + Aosta

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I found several days of pretty and varied riding in September in northeast Italy -- see map (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=45.544831,7.657471&spn=3.79305,7.954102&z=7&om=1&msid=104855209764401583780.00043a995553d78596c12) + photos (http://www.roberts-1.com/t/b07/it/k/index.htm).
I haven't seen this region talked about much in English-language forums, but it has a lot to offer for road bicycling . . .

Riding which was some of the best of its kind I've found in Europe or N.A.:

ridges of Langhe: for big views out to both sides [ report (http://www.roberts-1.com/b/v/e/07a/index.htm#Langhe_region_07sep) | photos (http://www.roberts-1.com/t/b07/it/k/a/index.htm) ]
around Gran Paradiso: grand adventure with variety of mountain and valley, hiking and riding [ report (http://www.roberts-1.com/b/v/e/07a/index.htm#around_Gran_Paradiso_07sep) ] - (as also was the Grand Ferret / Gran San Bernardo loop on previous trip)
Colle del Nivolet: for pretty lakes under snowy mountains [ photos (http://www.roberts-1.com/t/b07/it/k/e/index.htm) ]
Elva gorge: wild exciting spectacular descent [ report (http://www.roberts-1.com/b/v/e/07a/index.htm#Elva_gorge_07sep) ]

Other riding on this trip I'd be glad to do again:

Colle dell'Agnello pass, third highest in Europe [ report (http://www.roberts-1.com/b/v/e/07a/index.htm#Colle_dellAgnello_climb_07sep) | photos (http://www.roberts-1.com/t/b07/it/k/b/index.htm) ]
some of the gentle riding in farmland in Torino + Cuneo regions

On previous trips I also much liked:

Colle del Gran San Bernardo + Col du Grand Ferret mountain loop [ photos (http://www.roberts-1.com/t/b07/it/k/d/index.htm) ]
Col du Montgenevre + Col d'Echelle loop (near Bardonecchia + Cesana Torinese)
Moncenisio / Mont Cenis mountain pass + lake from Susa

Comparing with other regions, I would definitely prefer to do more riding in Piemonte (Piedmont) than Tuscany, but for mountain passes I think so far Südtirol / Alto Adige + northern Veneto still have the edge -- unless you want access to views with more snow. And I think I'm liking the farm-country riding in the Rhone-Alpes region of France (e.g. along the Isere river around Montmélian) a little better because I found more animals to see along the roads -- but if it's vineyards and nut trees you prefer, Langhe has more.

My approach: Just like home in USA I got myself and my bike to the start of each day's riding by driving my (rental) car.

Details -- see more here (http://www.roberts-1.com/b/v/e/07a/index.htm#northwest_Italy_more_07sep).

Ken