you can actually reach Milano following EV8 but, please, don't expect to find many dedicated cycling lanes.
Be prepared for a "MIX" of roads and, very important, use as much "FANTASY" as you can.
Once you leave the PO river, at Pizzighettone for istance, you may point north in the direction of Milano-Lecco-Como, but it's very complicated, unless you accept to take very normal and so far very trafficated roads.

GOOD LUCK