View from our hotel in Canazei |
Day 1
SUNDAY › Welcome to Italy
Our
trip starts at Venice Marco Polo airport where our staff will be there
to welcome you before the transfer to our hotel in Canazei in the heart of the Dolomites.
Lunch, orientation meeting, build up the bikes and then an afternoon ride to loosen up the legs before tomorrow's big day.
|
|
20 miles
|
2,130 ft elev. gain |
|
Today's Major Climbs |
|
Climb
|
Elev. Gain (feet)
|
Average Grade |
Length
(miles) |
Profile
(m/km)
|
Difficulty
Index |
No major climbs today
|
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On the Passo Sella
|
Day 2
MONDAY › Ronde Sella
The classic loop around the Gruppo di Sella mountain range has to be one of the most spectacular bike rides in Europe.
From our hotel in Canazei, we'll head over the Passo Sella and the Passo Gardena to Corvara. From Corvara we'll take the long way around over the beautiful Passo Valparola before returning to Canazei via the Passo Pordoi. A total of 60 miles and over 8,000 ft of climbing!
RIDE SUMMARY:
|
59 miles
|
8,370 ft elev. gain |
|
Today's Major Climbs |
|
Climb
|
Elev. Gain (feet)
|
Average Grade |
Length
(miles) |
Profile
(m/km)
|
Difficulty
Index |
Passo Pordoi
|
2,090 ft |
6.8% |
5.8 miles |
|
73 |
Passo Sella
|
1,310 ft |
7.3% |
3.4 miles |
|
61 |
Passo Gardena
|
820 ft |
4.2% |
3.7 miles |
|
36 |
Passo Valparola
|
2,630 ft |
5.8% |
8.6 miles |
|
88 |
|
| |
Paulo Bettini climbing Forcella Staulanza in the 2006 Giro d'Italia |
Day 3
TUESDAY › The Italian "Death-ride"....
Almost 90 miles and over 13,600ft of climbing to day so make sure you have your climbing legs on!
From Canazei we head south to Moena where we start the first climb of the day, the Passo San Pellegrino. A fast descent to Agordo and the start of the very challenging Passo Duran with sections of 15%. From the Passo Duran we head north over Forcella Staulanza to Caprile where the final climb to the Passo Fedaia awaits. The Fedaia is host to the finish of Stage 15 of the 2008 Giro d'Italia.
RIDE SUMMARY:
|
87 miles
|
13,615 ft elev. gain |
|
Today's Major Climbs |
|
Climb
|
Elev. Gain (feet)
|
Average Grade |
Length
(miles) |
Profile
(m/km)
|
Difficulty
Index |
Passo San Pellegrino
|
2,550 ft |
6.8% |
7.1 miles |
|
90 |
Passo Duran
|
3,255 ft |
7.9% |
7.8 miles |
|
126 |
Forcella Staulanza
|
2,765 ft |
6.7% |
7.8 miles |
|
88 |
Passo Fedaia
|
3,475 ft |
7.5% |
8.8 miles |
|
133 |
|
| |
Riding in the Dolomites
|
Day 4
WEDNESDAY › Costalunga
There will most likely be a few tired legs around after yesterdays tough ride so today we'll have an easier rider over to Bolzano. Our only challenge is the Cat.3 Passo Costalunga then it's mostly downhill all the way to Bolzano.
For the die-hards there's the option to extend the ride to include the climb up to Meltina and San Genesio high in the mountains above Bolzano.
RIDE SUMMARY:
|
38 miles
|
2,230 ft elev. gain |
Optional addition:
|
31 miles
|
4,265 ft elev. gain |
|
Today's Major Climbs |
|
Climb
|
Elev. Gain (feet)
|
Average Grade |
Length
(miles) |
Profile
(m/km)
|
Difficulty
Index |
Passo Costalunga
|
1,345 ft |
4.1% |
6.1 miles |
|
53 |
Climb to Meltina
|
2,590 ft |
9.9% |
5.0 miles |
|
118 |
|
| |
Bottom of the Stelvio |
Day 5
THURSDAY › The Stelvio!
One of the highlights of the trip. Today we tackle the mighty Passo Stelvio!
15 miles of climbing, 48 switchbacks and an average grade of almost 7.5%, the Stelvio is one of these climbs that every cyclist has to ride in their lifetime. The Stelvio is also one of the most spectacular climbs you'll ever ride and one of the favorite all-time climbs of our staff riders.
Our hotel for the evening is situated in Bormio at the bottom of the descent.
RIDE SUMMARY:
|
81 miles
|
9,480 ft elev. gain |
|
Today's Major Climbs |
|
Climb
|
Elev. Gain (feet)
|
Average Grade |
Length
(miles) |
Profile
(m/km)
|
Difficulty
Index |
Passo Stelvio
|
5,930 ft |
7.4% |
15.1 miles |
|
172 |
|
| |
On the Passo Mortirolo |
Day 6
FRIDAY › The Mortirolo and the Gavia
We end the trip with two more legendary Giro d'Italia climbs.
The Mortirolo is considered the "Alpe d'Huez" of the Giro d'Italia...except it's significantly more challenging than it's French counterpart! With an average of 10.5% over 8 miles this is one of the toughest climbs in Europe.
After "surviving" the Mortirolo we head up the valley to Ponte di Legno where we start the climb to the Passo Gavia. The Gavia is the Cima Coppi (highest point in the race) of the 2008 Giro d'Italia and will always be remembered for Andy Hampsten's epic ride through a snowstorm to win the 1988 Giro.
RIDE SUMMARY:
|
70 miles
|
10,105 ft elev. gain |
|
Today's Major Climbs |
|
Climb
|
Elev. Gain (feet)
|
Average Grade |
Length
(miles) |
Profile
(m/km)
|
Difficulty
Index |
Passo Mortirolo
|
4,265 ft |
10.5% |
7.7 miles |
|
186 |
Passo Gavia
|
4,470 ft |
7.9% |
10.7 miles |
|
147 |
|
| |
| |
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Day 7
SATURDAY › Arrivederci!
End of our trip and final transfer to Milan Malpensa
airport. |
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