July 12 -
July 20
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| Pantani
Monument |
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The
Piedmont Alps have lots to offer the cyclist; great
climbs, great food, and in July, particularly good weather.
This vacation visits the southern Alps, straddling the
border between France and Italy. Ride in the shadows of
Monviso and Colle dell' Agnello before a foray into France
to challenge the mighty Col d'Izoard. It's a classic week of
classic climbs and distinctive regional cuisine.
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July 12
- Overnight
flight to Milan.
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July 13 - Welcome to Italy. Arrive at Malpensa to meet our shuttle.
In no time you’ll be assembling and fine tuning your bike for a
relaxing spin through the Monferrato wine country.
You’ll be welcomed with wine and sent to bed satisfied after a
traditional multi-course dinner of Piemontese specialties.
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Cheese
at Ostu Baloss
(Los Hombres Photo) |
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July 14
- Homemade cakes and cookies
grace the breakfast buffet
that will fuel your ride toward the foothills of the Alps and the
historic town of Saluzzo.
The route winds through the colline
of Monferrato then opens onto flat “big-ring country” to our hotel.
This evening we’ll walk though cobbled streets to dine at a
CycleItalia favorite, Ostu Baloss in the historic town center.
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| Pian
del Re |
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July 15 - Snowcapped Monviso looms as we challenge its slopes,
reaching to the source of the
river Po, the Pian del Re.
Its savage switchbacks will make you glad you equipped your bike
with low gearing! Return to
Saluzzo in time to catch the Tour de France on live TV before enjoying
an open night for dinner in the lively town.
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| Beppe
of La Font |
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July 16 -
The Peaceful Colle Brondello
and historic Montemale di Cuneo are tasty appetizers
leading up to the brutal main dish known as the Colle Fauniera.
In the stretch from Pradleves to Castelmagno, we gain nearly
1,000 meters elevation in just under 13 kilometers—an average grade of
nearly 8%. We’ll spend
the night just below the peak in a historic mountain lodge, artfully
restored. Here the owners
pride themselves on authentic local cooking flavored with mountain herbs
and the famed Castelmagno cheese.
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| Rock
Tunnel |
July 17 - View the Marco Pantani monument
atop the Colle Fauniera before continuing over Colle d'Esichie, followed by the climb to Sampeyre where "Il Pirata" crashed on the tricky descent, losing his chance of a top placing in the 2003 Giro d'Italia. Our final ascent climbs through the alpine pastures of Valle Varaita and leads to our night's lodging above Lago di Castello.
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| Colle del Agnello |
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| Col
d’Izoard |
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July 18 - Today’s the
tappone! We cross
two of most difficult hors categorie climbs in the Alps.
First, the fearsome Colle dell’Agnello, with its 14% grades and
classic Alpine scenery reaching almost 9,000 feet (2748m).
After crossing into France, a screaming descent sets us
up for the 7,500 foot (2360m) Col d’ Izoard, immortalized by exploits
in both the Giro and Tour. Marvel
at the moonlike landscape of the casse desert
while images of Coppi and Bartali dance through your head.
Then descend to Briancon, highest city in Europe, and enjoy
French mountain specialties at dinner inside the old city’s walls.
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July 19 - Return to Italy
via Montgenevre and then wind up to the ski resort of Sestriere. This
route retraces the great Tour de France stage-wins of “el
Diablo” Claudio Chiappucci (1992) and “Big-Tex”
Lance Armstrong (1999). Grab a bite to eat and perhaps a 2006 Olympic souvenir before
a thrilling descent and a short van transfer to Hotel Ariotto. Tonight we’ll toast the great climbs of the Alps with local
spumante and a farewell dinner
featuring fresh local ingredients.
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July 20
- Morning airport shuttles.
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