Chianti by Bike - NYTimes.com Each spring, the ex-pro cyclist João Correia heads to Italy's Chianti region to lead small groups of amateur riders on weeklong bike trips that feature arduous climbs, technical descents and plenty of time to sample the area's main attractions: food and wine. Post-ride, Correia arranges lunch at a local bar and dinner at places like the winemaking complex of Castello di Ama, where works by such artists as Anish Kapoor can be enjoyed over a bottle of Chianti classico. The last trip of Correia's season culminates with L'Eroica, a one-day festival of classic European véloisme, in which riders take on unpaved roads with pre-1987 gear, like steel frames and wool jerseys. "It's a celebration of everything beautiful about cycling," Correia says. Trips from $5,950; ingamba.pro.