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21 - 30 September 2012 (3 PLACES REMAIN)
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Highlights:
This tour has something for everybody. A little bit of climbing, loads of flat lake-side riding, thrilling descents and above all incomparable views across Italy’s northern lakes. We take in Lago d’Orta, Lago Maggiore, Lago di Lugano, Lago Varese and Lago di Como. We’ll pay homage at the holy shrine to cyclists, the beautiful chapel of Madonna del Ghisallo. We will savour some of Italy’s finest wine and cuisine. Bring it on!
Day One - Orta Warm-up Ride
Main Route: 20km; Long Route: 40 km
Total Ascent: Main 200m; Long 680m
Time: 2 hours (start after lunch)
This is a warm-up ride to ease the legs and body into it. Some of you may have only recently stepped off a plane, so this ride offers a great way to “tease” out that tiredness. It will take in some small climbs and offer spectacular views across Lago d’Orta and the surrounding mountains.
Day Two - Tour of Lago d’Orta
Main Route: 60km; Long Route: 85 km
Total Ascent: Main 700m; Long 1,100m
Time: 3.5 - 5 hours
This is a beautiful ride around the Lago d’Orta. After an initial flat start, the remaining day’s ride is undulating with only one slightly difficult climb towards the Sanctuary of Madonna del Sasso. You’ll be enchanted by the view.
Day Three - Orta to Stresa and Verbania
Main Route: 60km; Long Route: 85 km
Total Ascent: Main 910m; Long 1,525m
Time: 3 - 4 hours
After an initial flat 10kms, we climb towards and over the Alto Vergante ridge that separates the Lago d’Orta from the Lago Maggiore. For those choosing the longer route, you’ll take in the difficult Mottarone climb, which is frequently used in the Giro d’Italia. It has a maximum gradient of 14%! This climb however offers the most rewarding views across all lakes. Magnificent descent towards Stresa, the city of flowers followed by a final 20km flat parcours along the shores of Lago Maggiore to Verbania.
Day Four - Verbania Loop to Piancavallo
Main Route: 70km; Long Route: 100 km
Terrain: Main 1,200m; Long 1,625m
Time: 3 - 4 hours
We spend the first 20kms circumnavigating the Lago Maggiore and enjoy some pleasant descending. The road then rapidly rises to a maximum gradient of 16% for the first few kilometres before easing and providing some magnificent views over the lake. A long descent leads us directly to Verbania taking in some small, short climbs. Those choosing the long route will tackle one last climb before Stresa.
Day Five - Verbania to Varese (with ferry ride to Laveno)
Main Route: 70km; Long Route: 105 km
Total Ascent: Main 1,000m; Long 1,700m
Time: 3 - 4 hours
We cross beautiful Lago Maggiore on a 20minute ferry ride. Our course goes along the undulating Sponda Lombarda until we reach the Sanctuary of Santa Maria del Sasso. From there we head towards the Varesine mountains, climbing up to the Passo Cuvignone, Ivan Basso’s favourite training ground, before returning to the lake and the town of Luino. In the final kilometres we’ll find ourselves immersed in the leafy Varesini forests, where we’ll encounter some small climbs on the way back to Varese. Those seeking some extra km’s will take in the climb to Campo dei Fiori, known as the “balcony of Varese”. On a fine day, you can see the Duomo of Milan.
Day Six - Rest Day Visit to the city of Milano
Day Seven - Varese Loop to Santa Caterina del Sasso
Main Route: 80km; Long Route: 120 km
Total Ascent: Main 905m; Long 1,700m
Time: 4 - 5.5 hours
Today we visit all the small lakes that surround Varese, riding along undulating roads to the Sanctuary of Santa Caterina del Sasso. A spectacular monastery built into the rockface overlooking Lago Maggiore. We return to Varese taking in the Ronchi climb used in the 2008 World Cycling Championshiops. We only do it once compared to 13 times by the pros!
Day Eight - Varese to Como
Main Route: 90km; Long Route: 120 km
Total Ascent: Main 1,200m; Long 2,000m
Time: 5 hours
This is a challenging day in the saddle, which takes us towards the famous Lago di Como. We’ll cross the Swiss mountains and valleys of Mendrisio, 2009 World Cycling Championship host city. The most difficult climb is that heading towads Lanzo, however it will be very rewarding, offering some spectacular views down upon Lake Como. We then descend to the lake and ride along its shores towards Como, a city of culture and the arts.
Day Nine - Loop of Lago di Como, Bellagio and Colle del Ghisallo
Main Route: 80km; Long Route: 100km
Total Ascent: Main 1,000m; Long 1,600m
Time: 3 - 4 hours
The spectacular scenery of today’s parcours around the Lago Maggiore will accompany us all the way to Bellagio, home of Italy’s most beautiful villas. The climb of the Madonna del Ghisallo, which features every year in the Giro di Lombardia, will take us to the chapel and cycling museum at the summit. We return via an undulating course through the Brianza region, famous for Italy’s furniture design and manufacture.
Day Ten - Arrivederci
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