Our hotel in Alleghe |
Day 1
SATURDAY › Welcome to the Dolomites!
Our
trip starts at Venice Marco Polo airport where our staff will be there
to welcome you before the transfer to our hotel in Alleghe 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.
Today's Ride Summary: 20 miles / 1,950 ft elev. gain
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Today's Major Climbs: |
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| Climb |
Elev. Gain (feet) |
Average Grade |
Length
(miles) |
Profile
(m/km) |
Difficulty
Index |
| No major climbs today |
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The summit of the Passo Giau in May 2009 |
Day 2
MONDAY › Giro Classics: Duran & Giau
Todays ride features 2 of the most frequently used climbs in the Giro d'Italia: the Passo Duran and Passo Giau.
From our hotel in Alleghe we'll head down the valley to Agordo where we start the climb to the HC Passo Duran. After descending the Passo Duran our next obstacle is the Forcella Staulanza. Next up is the spectacular Passo Giau with it's average grade of 9.1% over 6 miles! Our final climb takes us up to the Passo Falzarego before enjoying the long descent into Alleghe.
Today's Ride Summary: 73 miles / 10,500 ft elev. gain
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Today's Major Climbs:
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Climb
|
Elev. Gain (feet)
|
Average Grade |
Length
(miles) |
Profile
(m/km)
|
Difficulty
Index |
Passo Duran
|
3,255 ft |
7.9% |
7.8 miles |
|
126 |
Forcella Staulanza
|
2,765 ft |
6.7% |
7.8 miles |
|
88 |
Passo Giau
|
3,025 ft |
9.1% |
6.3 miles |
|
122 |
Passo Falzarego |
2,995 ft |
5.6% |
10.2miles |
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83 |
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On the Passo Sella
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Day 3
SUNDAY › 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 Alleghe, we'll head over the Passo Pordoi, Passo Sella and the Passo Gardena to Corvara. From Corvara we take the long way around over the beautiful Passo Valparola before the long descent to Alleghe.
Today's Ride Summary: 68 miles / 8,850 ft elev. gain
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Today's Major Climbs: |
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Climb
|
Elev. Gain (feet)
|
Average Grade |
Length
(miles) |
Profile
(m/km)
|
Difficulty
Index |
Passo Pordoi
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2,090 ft |
6.8% |
5.8 miles |
|
73 |
Passo Sella
|
1,310 ft |
7.3% |
3.4 miles |
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61 |
Passo Gardena
|
820 ft |
4.2% |
3.7 miles |
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36 |
Passo Valparola |
2,630 ft |
5.8% |
8.6 miles |
|
88 |
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Climbing the Passo Fedaia |
Day 4
TUESDAY › Passo Fedaia!
We leave our hotel in Alleghe today and head for Bolzano nestled in the valley that separates the Dolomites from the Alps.
First up is the very challenging Passo Fedaia with it's ramps of 12 to 15%. From the Fedaia we can enjoy the descent into Canazei and Vigo di Fassa before the moderate climb to the Passo Costalunga. From the Costalunga it's all downhill to our hotel in Bolzano!
Today's Ride Summary: 50 miles / 5,200 ft elev. gain
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Today's Major Climbs: |
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Climb |
Elev. Gain (feet) |
Average Grade |
Length
(miles) |
Profile
(m/km) |
Difficulty
Index |
Passo Fedaia
|
3,475 ft |
7.5% |
8.8 miles |
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133 |
Passo Costalunga |
1,345 ft |
4.1% |
6.1 miles |
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53 |
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On the Passo Palade
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Day 5
WEDNESDAY › Into the Alps!
Todays ride sees us transition from the Dolomites to the Italian Alps.
After leaving our hotel in downtown Bolzano we head west towards Appiano where we start the first climb of the day to the Passo Mendola. From the Mendola we head north to the Passo Palade before dropping down to the orchard-filled Venosta Valley just above Merano. We'll ride through the orchards along the valley floor to Prato Allo Stelvio which leaves us nicely in place for the assault on the Passo Stelvio tomorrow.
Today's Ride Summary: 81 miles / 8,200 ft elev. gain
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Today's Major Climbs: |
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Climb |
Elev. Gain (feet)
|
Average Grade |
Length
(miles) |
Profile
(m/km) |
Difficulty
Index |
Passo Mendola |
3,143 ft |
6.5% |
9.2 miles |
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89 |
Passo Palade |
1,739 ft |
4.1% |
8.1 miles |
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41 |
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The Stelvio - some of the 48 switchbacks |
Day 6
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.
Today's Ride Summary: 30 miles / 6,100 ft elev. gain
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Today's Major Climbs: |
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Climb
|
Elev. Gain (feet)
|
Average Grade |
Length
(miles) |
Profile
(m/km)
|
Difficulty
Index |
Passo Stelvio |
5,930 ft |
7.4% |
15.1 miles |
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172 |
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Climbing the Passo Gavia |
Day 7
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 conquering the Mortirolo we head up the valley to Ponte di Legno where we start the climb to the Passo Gavia. The Gavia will always be remembered for Andy Hampsten's epic ride through a snowstorm to win the 1988 Giro.
Today's Ride Summary: 70 miles / 10,150 ft elev. gain
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Today's Major Climbs: |
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Climb
|
Elev. Gain (feet)
|
Average Grade |
Length
(miles) |
Profile
(m/km)
|
Difficulty
Index |
Passo Mortirolo |
4,265 ft |
10.5% |
7.7 miles |
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186 |
Passo Gavia |
4,470 ft |
7.9% |
10.7 miles |
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147 |
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Day 8
SATURDAY › Arrivederci!
End of our trip and final transfer to Milan Malpensa
airport. |
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