Grand Alps Cycling Tour

Stages of your Tour

1. Leg Loosner Ride

   30km, 350m elevation

   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 Ripa 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.
   
   Nembro

2. Bergamo – Lago d’Iseo

   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). 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.
   
   Lake Iseo

3. Lago d’Iseo – Ponte di Legno

   79km, 1375m elevation

   The second longest day of the tour starts, with a relatively flat 25 km as we ride parallel to the River Oglio. 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. 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

4. Ponte di Legno – Bormio

   52km, 1675m 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 Gavia

5. Passo Stelvio – Bormio

   53km, 1575m 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.
   
   Passo Stelvio

6. Bormio – Passo Aprica

   76km, 1700 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.. 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.
   
   Aprica

7. PASSO Aprica – Clusone

   78km, 2080 m elevation

   
   This morning we descend to Edolo from Aprica - that is the easy part of the day done! We continue to ride through Malonno before starting our first beautiful climb of the day to Passo Vivione. Famed for not having cars, it really is wonderful. The light changing as you move from the forest to the high mountain sheer magic. On reaching the top we stop for lunch before descending to the foot of the last climb of the week - Passo Presolana. Although only 8km the final 3km are epic. A great way to finish the tour you might say! The final descent in to Clusone a joy. This evening we celebrate together dinner in the heart of the town centre.
   Presolana

8. Arrivederci!

   N/A

   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.
   
   Home

The perfect cycling holiday requires pedalling on the perfect bike. So should you not wish to bring your own bike with you we have a number of beautiful bikes that you can hire at very reasonable prices. If you are not sure what is the perfect bike for you then fire as a mail and we will be delighted give you some expert advice. You can find more information about our bikes below. And yes you can buy our bikes if you fall in love with them!