Grand Alps, Italy Cycling Package

Leg Loosner Ride

On arrival at one of the Milan airports, you will be met by the Italy Bike Tours team who will assist you in getting all your luggage and bike boxes to the waiting vehicles to transfer you to our hotel for the evening. Situated with stunning views of Città Alta, the Hotel La Pieve is the ideal place to relax and prepare for an epic week of cycling. Our mechanic will be on hand to assist you with your bikes. After dinner, your tour manager will give you details of the next day’s ride, including some tips on how to tackle this epic week of cycling

Bergamo – Lago D’Iseo

Ride: 50km, 800m elevation

After departing from the most beautiful city in the region of Lombardia, our first part of the ride takes us on roads that are used in ‘The Race of the Falling Leaves’ (Giro d’Lombardia). On heading north up Val Seriana, you will quickly notice the terrain change as you head into the foothills of the Alps. The first climb of the day will take you up over Colle Gallo, where you will enjoy a spectacular view at the top. From here you can see Lago d’Endine in all its splendour and the mountain made famous by Marco Pantani (Montecampione) in the 1998 Giro d’Italia. Once you have circumnavigated Lago Endine, another climb awaits as you head up over Solto Collina to the foot of Italy’s fourth largest lakes, Lago d’Iseo, where a stop for an obligatory coffee on the lake is a must. The final 25 km of riding involves hugging the lakeside along several overhanging cliffs. A truly wonderful end to the first day’s riding.

Lago D’Iseo – Ponte Di Legno (100km)

Ride: 79km, 1375 m elevation

The second longest day of the tour starts, with a relatively flat 25 km as we ride parallel to the River Oglio. We continue heading north through old villages, over ancient bridges and on quiet roads, passing classic Giro dItalia climbs, including Passo Vivione (more of that later in the week), Crocedomini and Montecampione. As the ride begins to climb steadily towards Edolo you will notice a difference in the style of houses and certainly the quality of the coffee! Italy is truly a wonderful country and the variety of the culture and food in each area is self-evident.

On entering Edolo you will turn right under a bridge that has stood for hundreds of years and then head along the final 30 km of your ride. Along the way, you will pass the base of Mortirolo (more of that later) and quickly realise that you have reached the ski resort of Ponte di Legno. Seeing a ski resort in the summer for the first time is a strange thing for some but for others, it is a familiar sight. Ponte di Legno is the gateway for cycling in the Alps and a popular destination for riders looking to get a good night’s sleep before taking on the challenge of the next day’s riding

Ponte Di Legno – Bormio

Ride: 52km, 1675 m elevation

Everyone has a favourite climb, one that conjures up happy memories and gives them butterflies in the stomach. For us here at Italy Bike Tours, that climb is Passo Gavia. Whether you ride it in splendid sunshine or with snow piled up along the road, Passo Gavia never fails to inspire and always leaves you thrilled. After a healthy breakfast, there’s a chance to have a quick spin and get your legs loosened before reaching the bottom of the Gavia. The first few kilometres meander through the valley before you hit a sharp ascent. However, it is not until you reach the final third of the climb that the road becomes narrower, the hairpins sharper and the views more spectacular. On reaching the summit, you can consider yourself part of an elite bunch that have conquered one of Europe’s most iconic climbs. Of course, a photo is needed at the Gavia sign and a hot chocolate to warm the cockles before your descent into Bormio and Valledentro.

Passo Stelvio – Bormio

Ride: 60km, 1775 m elevation

If you thought yesterday was hard, today you will climb to the top of Passo Stelvio. By now the legs should be well used to riding uphill, and hopefully you will be feeling strong as the climb to the top reaches 2670m. With its 48 switchbacks, Passo Stelvio has a mythical place in cycling folklore and is rightly considered to be one of the hardest climbs in world cycling. Spectacular, amazing and awesome are just some of the words used to describe the climb. At 22 km in length, the climb is one that must be respected and so appropriate fuel and pacing is needed to reach the top. Your Italy Bike Tours team will be on hand to give you advice and assistance. For many, having the opportunity to grab a water bottle from the support vehicle or leaving the warm weather gear in the car is a major help. It’s not a day to carry any extra weight! The descent is one to be taken carefully, and make sure you stop plenty of times to take some photos that will capture great memories of this legendary climb

Bormio – Aprica

Ride: 85km, 2450 m elevation

You will be pleased to know as you leave your base, close to Bormio, that your journey will continue in a downhill direction through several pretty little towns, before you reach the bottom of Mortirolo. Lance Armstrong still describes the climb as the hardest in world cycling and you are about to find out why! The Mortirolo is not for the weak-willed, as it offers no place to hide. With the support vehicle in place, no one will be allowed to get off the bike before making it to the Marco Pantani memorial, approximately 5 km from the summit of the climb. At an average gradient of 12% for 12 km, it is tough, especially as you will already have the Gavia and Mortirolo in your legs.

Many cyclists underestimate the Mortirolo for a number of reasons, one being that when you reach the top, the hard work isn’t over! In fact, the ride along the top, with spectacular views of Switzerland to your right, is a real challenge. It is not steep, but there are little rhythm-breaking ‘bumps’ along the way A fast descent into Aprica follows and the familiar smell of great food and coffee awaits the riders who have conquered three epic climbs in just three days.

June Aprica – Presolana

Ride: 110km, 2475 m elevation.

Aprica, so often the finish of many stages of the Giro d’Italia, will be the start of your final day on the bike, and what a day of riding you have in front of you. The final day offers challenge and beauty in equal measure as you head south through Valcamonica, Italy’s second largest valley. Today, you have not one, but two climbs to finish off the week. The first of these is the breathtaking but relatively easy 20 km climb up Passo Vivione. Featured in the Giro d’Italia, this provides unparalleled views over seemingly endless forest and mountains. The final 3 km offer the greatest challenge and riders must keep a little in their locker for this. A wonderful café and bar awaits thirsty and hungry riders in need of a cool drink and a bite to eat.

A winding descent follows before you set off on your final climb of the week to the ski resort at Presolana. Steep in sections, this is the quintessential Italian climb, with stunning views, quiet roads and picturesque hairpin bends for 10 km. A celebratory drink will be ready for you on your arrival at the hotel, where there will be time to relax and reflect on an epic week of cycling.

Arrivederci!

All good things must come to an end, and this morning we will transfer you to your airport in plenty of time for your flight home