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GIRO D'ITALIA TOUR
Dates:
May 15 - 26, 2005
With the conception of the UCI Pro Tour requiring the presence of the
World's top 20 teams and the much touted dual between Damiano Cunego
and Ivan Basso, the 88th edition of the Giro d'Italia promises to be
one of the most exciting in years. Nonstop Ciclismo has been bringing
avid cyclists to the Giro since 1996 and we know how to get you right
into the thick of things. You'll experience first-hand the exhilarating
atmosphere which makes riding a bike in Italy during the Giro one of
the most unforgettable experiences of a lifetime. Our tours concentrate
on great quality rides - we try to avoid lengthy transfers and heavily
traveled roads at all costs - this means you'll have more time on the
bike and you'll see much more of the country with the added benefit
of coming home in really great shape! Many of our guests have used our
Giro Tour as a base for a summer race program. Our staff motto is why
get in the van when you can ride it – we are committed to riding
as much of the route as possible. Of course it is not a race! - we like
to enjoy the surroundings and the comeradery of sport at a pace that
is enjoyable for everyone. We have van support on all of our point to
point rides and it’s always optional to cut short a ride or take
a rest day. We’re here to have fun and enjoy the incredible experience
of cycling in Italy!
This year’s Giro d’Italia Tour will start with airport pickup
at Bologna
International Airport and end with dropoff
at Milano
Malpensa Airport. We are happy to help you make arrangements
to get to us if you are coming from a different destination.
Day 1:
Upon arrival in Bologna we’ll make a
short transfer to our base hotel in nearby Imola where
we’ll assemble bikes and have the option of a short shake out
ride in the Romagnolo countryside. Tonight you’ll meet our staff
and everyone on the tour as we enjoy the first of many incredible meals
together. The cuisine of Emilia Romagna is considered by many Italians
to be among the best in Italy.
Day 2:
We’ll ride from Imola to Ravenna
where we’ll see the arrival of stage 9 of the Giro d’Italia
taking in some of the gentle rolling hills of the Apennines. The stage
looks likely to end in a sprint and we’ll be there to see the
work of the teams and their sprinters as they blaze to the finish. Ravenna
is a wonderful city with great food, squares, shopping and culture.
Some of the world’s most celebrated glass mosaics are located
in the city’s beautiful Early Christian and Byzantine Architecture.
Eight of these buildings are on the UNESCO
World Heritage Foundation list.
Day 3:
Ravenna and the Romagna region in general are home to thousands
of cyclists and today we’ll join one of the local club rides for
a fun ride to the towns of Cesena and Bertinoro.
The Giro d’Italia will be taking a rest day here and we should
be able to see some of the teams and riders out and around the city.
You’ll have time in the afternoon to shop, hang out or visit some
of the cultural sites. Tonight you’ll have the opportunity to
explore a bit and have a nice meal out in town.
Day 4:
We have the option of seeing the departure of Giro stage 10
from Ravenna to Marostica or taking off early in the morning for a nice
long ride across the Po River Valley to our next stop
in Bassano
Del Grappa. Located
at the base of Monte Grappa, Bassano is our gateway to the Dolomiti.
Tonight we’ll enjoy a nice walk around this beautiful town and
a enjoy a wonderful Veneto meal together.
Day 5:
Today
is Stage 11 and the first “real” mountain stage of the Giro
d’Italia. Our ride today will require an early start as our ride
will take us over much of much of the giro route, taking in the breathtaking
Passo Cereda (1369m) , Forcella Aurine
(1299m) and the Passo Duran (1601m). We’ll wait
for the riders at the top of the Duran climb before descending down
to Alleghe, a beautiful lakeside town just to South of the Marmolada
Glacier.
Day 6:
Today is an optional rest day - Alleghe is a
great place to relax and recover strength for the second part of the
trip. We will see the Giro depart as it heads southwest to Roverto.
For the ambitious there is a 90 km loop comprising the infamous Passo
di Fedaia (Marmolada - 2057m) and the beautiful Passo
di San Pellegrino climb (1918m).
Day 7:
The Giro rolls back North into the Dolomites
and once again we’ll head out early to catch the action on the
road. Today we’ll ride 120 km of the Giro stage climbing the Passo
Campolongo (1875m), the Passo delle Erbe (2004m)
and the final climb to Ortisei (1214m). After watching
the race come through to finish in Ortisei we’ll roll back down
to our hotel in Bolzano.
Tonight we’ll enjoy a nice evening out in this lively town unique
in its blend of Northern and Southern cultures.
Day 8:
Our big challenge today is one of the toughest
climbs in Italy, the Passo dello Stelvio. This year
it is the “Cima Coppi” or highest point of the Giro d’Italia
at 2758 m. Our route will take us from an altitude of 265 m to 907 m
over the first 100 km, then the fun begins! From Prato allo Stelvio
to the pass the average gradient is 7.5% for 24.7 km. with the hardest
part coming in the last 13 km with an average gradient of 8.8%. The
slopes are sure to be loaded with tifosi waiting for the Giro to come
through. Once over the top there is a 22 km descent into Bormio
where we’ll be staying for the night. We’ll have the option
to ride further up the Passo di Foscagno to watch the race come through
on its way to the finish in Livigno. Tonight we’ll enjoy a dinner
of the specialties of the Valtellina region.
Day 9:
Today’s Giro stage departs from Livigno
and descends through la Valtellina Valley on the way
to the stage finish in Lissone. We’ll have the option of riding
either the Passo di Gavia (2621m) or the Awesome Mortirolo
(1842m) climb before descending down to beautiful Lago di Como where
we’ll be staying overnight.
Day 10:
Today the Giro takes another rest day so we’ll
ride the route of another famous Italian race, the Fall Classic –
Giro di Lombardia (Tour of Lombardy). We’ll start
out the Premana climb before descending down to Lecco
and then up along the right leg of the lake towards scenic Bellagio.
From here we’ll make the challenging climb up to the small town
of Magréglio, location of tiny chapel dedicated to the patron
saint of cyclists as proclaimed by Pope Pius XII during the 1949 Giro
d'Italia, the Beata Vergine Maria Del Ghisallo. The walls of this tiny
church, known as the Madonna del Ghisallo, are covered
with the jerseys, bicycles and plaques of the greats – Coppi,
Bartali and Moser to name a few. This is a must see for any cycling
fan – we’ll have a good look around before continuing on
to Como for a nice evening by the lake.
Day 11:
Our last day together and there are a number
of options. The Giro d’Italia departs after its rest day in Lissone
and we will have the option to see the Giro start then join the locals
for a ride in the Brianza area. There will also be an organized tour
of the DeRosa bicycle factory in Milan for those who
wish to participate, or there is always the possibility of riding a
relaxing loop from our hotel on lago di Como. We’ll enjoy our
last great dinner together and another relaxing evening on Lago di Como.
Day 12:
Transfer to Milano Malpensa Airport or other
connection. Arriverderci!
Itinerary:
5.14: Depart USA for Italy 5.15:
Bologna airport pickup - Transfer to Imola (optional loop ride) 5.16:
Ride Imola - Ravenna 5.17: Ride Ravenna Loop 5.18: Ride
Ravenna - Bassano del Grappa 5.19: Ride Bassano - Alleghe 5.20:
Ride Alleghe Loop 5.21: Ride Alleghe - Bolzano 5.22: Ride
Bolzano - Bormio 5.23: Ride Bormio - Lago di Como 5.24:
Ride Lago di Como - Como 5.25: Ride Como Loop 5.26:
Depart Italy from Milano Malpensa
Trip
Info:
Mileage: Approx. 770mi (Maximum - with shorter options)
Terrain: Varied including High Mountain Passes
Length: 11 riding days / 11 nights
Difficulty: Advanced
Cost: $2995
Includes:
• Airport pickup at Bologna
International Airport
(BLQ) and drop-off at Milano
Malpensa Airport
(MXP)
• Eleven (11) nights accommodations
(two per room) in friendly Agriturismi or 3 and 4 Star Hotels
• All breakfasts and 10 dinners including
wine
• Guide services of 1 or 2 guides
• Vehicle support at intervals along
the stage on town-to-town days
•
Mechanical assistance
• Optional cycling specific massage
available
• Travel planning assistance
For
additional information or to book a vacation click here.
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