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July 8 - Enjoy
the splendor of our wine country hotel after your
arrival. Assemble and tune your bike then take a warm-up ride
or relax by the pool before our welcome dinner of traditional piemontese
cuisine..
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How do you like THEM
apples? |
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| July 9 - Pedal
through vineyards and apple orchards after our morning transfer to Trentino. Enjoy spectacular views as you ride the rolling hills of Alto Adige's famed "Weinstraße" (wine road) then skirt the shores of Lago di Caldaro, before testing your climbing legs on the steep cliffside climb to tonight's hotel. Swap stories with continuing Dolomites guests at our group dinner featuring hearty local wines.
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| July 10 - Today
we cross the valley and scale the picturesque
Mendola and Palade passes on the way to Val Venosta where a peaceful
bike-route will carry you among fruit trees to our night's hotel. A
hearty group dinner of SudTirol cuisine will fuel us for tomorrow's
highlight climb. |
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Passo Stelvio |
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July 11 - This is
it - the big one! It's time for the Passo
Stelvio and the 20k spin from our hotel is a perfect
warm-up. Then it's time to tackle the 48 numbered
switchbacks as you recall images of champions like Merckx, Gimondi
and Coppi,
imagining what it's like to be cheered by screaming tifosi.
Descend into Bormio and relax in the sauna at our luxury
hotel then share tales of the epic climb at a sumptuous
dinner of Valtellina specialties. |
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| July 12 - Still
got some climbing legs left? Bene! We've got a
great loop ride today featuring what we call the "piccolo
Mortirolo" an alternative road that scales the same mountain.
After the thrilling descent, it's on to Passo Gavia--nearly as high as
the Stelvio and infamous for the Giro's snowy crossing in 1988, the
year Andy Hampsten triumphed. Another relaxing group dinner completes
the epic day. |
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Passo Mortirolo |
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July 13 - Now's your chance
to do the "real" Mortirolo - 12 k. of sheer pain with an average grade of 10.25% and pitches of 14%! From the summit, cruise a quiet ridge road offering spectacular views and the occasional goat herd! A long descent and quick climb lead to the Giro's habitual finish line in Aprica. We then continue along the valley to our hillside hotel near Sondrio where the restaurant is famous for its regional cooking and wine selection. Group dinner. |
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Madonna del Ghisallo |
July 14 - Today
we head for Lake Como, spinning along the quiet eastern shore before a scenic ferry crossing from Varenna to Bellagio. Then it's up the historic climb to Madonna di Ghisallo, shrine of Italian cycling. After paying our respects at the chapel - museum and taking in the fantastic view, we'll transfer by van to our headquarters hotel, pack our bikes and enjoy a final farewell dinner.
July
15 - Morning airport shuttles for those going home. Folks continuing on the Italian Alps/Tour de France trip can relax by the pool or take a challenging ride in the surrounding wine country while anticipating another wonderful dinner at
Ariotto.
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overlooking Lake Como |
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