LAKES, ALPS & DOLOMITES
SCOTT'S TOUR
RIDE ACROSS THE ALPS FROM COMO, PASSO STELVIO TO THE MAJESTIC DOLOMITES
START/FINISH
COMO - CORVARA
DURATION
9 DAYS/8 NIGHT
AVG.DISTANCE
100 KM
AVG.ELEVATION
1'500 MT
DIFFICULTY
HIGHLIGHTS
This tour has something for everybody: some hilly lake-side riding, good climbing and thrilling descents but above all incomparable views across Italy’s northern alpine Region. We start in Lago di Como, Bellagio and the Giro di Lombardia race course: Ghisallo and Muro di Sormano! Here We will savour some of Italy’s finest wine and cuisine and explore some charming villages, great for non-riders: Boat trips, Wine and cheese tasting, Botanic gardens and cycling museum are only some of the activities offered after the rides...
After two days we will ride into the Alps, climbing the Mortirolo and the Gavia before we get to Bormio! We will then climb the king of the Alps, the legendary Passo Stelvio from both sides!
Bormio is the perfect cycling town, Situated in the foothills of the Stelvio at 1400m altitude, it’s a charming town that offers great hotels and natural hot springs!
We’ll then spend the last 3 days in the heart of the Dolomites, basing ourselves in the beautiful Corvara.
Plenty of climbing options here: Sella Ronda, Passo Giau, Marmolada!
You will love the scenery and the atmosphere of these majestic mountains.
DETAILS
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Level: Intermediate - Advanced
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Terrain: Mountains
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Daily Distance: Approx 100km
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Daily Ascent: Approx 2000m
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Main Route 800km
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Total Ascent: Approx 15'000m
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Duration: 9 days/8 nights
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Recommended Arrival Airport: Milano Malpensa
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Recommended Departure Airport: Venice
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Cost: 3950 € in Twin Room (Single + 600 €)
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Cost If less than 7 but min 4 riders: 4250 euro
DATES & COST
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13 - 21 September 2022
Cost per person in Twin Room: 3950 €
(If less then 7 guests: 4250 €)
Single Supplement + 600 €
High End rental bike: + 600 €
Possible Hotels:
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D1-2, Como: Hotel Palace
http://www.palacehotel.it/it/pagina/home
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D3-4-5, Bormio: Hotel Bagni Vecchi
https://www.qcterme.com/it/bormio/hotel-bagni-vecchi
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D6-7-8, Corvara: Hotel Col Alto
WHO WOULD ENJOY THIS EXPERIENCE?
The experience is built for all riders able to ride for 3-5 hours. This is not a race or high intensity riding, but rather a true cycling adventure across some of the most picturesque region in the world.
We will ride as a group on the rolling terrain and as individuals or small groups on the short climbs, so that everyone will enjoy the ride. On top of each major climb we will regroup to celebrate and refill our bottles, and then enjoy the descent together. As a team, we’ll support each other during the ride and make sure everyone finishes safe and happy!
All cyclists interested in exploring a new region, learning about local culture while admiring magnificent scenery will enjoy this incredible experience.
THE TOUR INCLUDES
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A fantastic tour itinerary designed by Andrea
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All hotel accommodations in beautiful hotels, generally 4 stars, in double room
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All breakfasts, 1 lunch and all dinners except 2
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2 professional guides on tour (one fully qualified mechanic)
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Airport Transfer for the group
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Van support throughout the tour
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All in-tour transfers
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Food supplements including electrolytes, gels and energy bars during rides by OTE
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Garmin 810-820 loan unit with maps
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1 top quality cycling kit made by RAPHA (jersey, knicks, socks)
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1 SCICON Race bag with name and nationality
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1 POCX sunglasses at 50% discount
MORE ABOUT THE TERRAIN
We have selected some of the best climbs of the Alps so the terrain will be mainly Mountains with some valley roads in-between. The start from Como is perfect as a warm up, but from day three we climb the Gavia and Mortirolo!
The climbs are long and steady and the gradient is always around 7-8% and when steeper, generally for short distances.
There are some exceptions of course, such as the Mortirolo and the Giau, where the gradient reach 15-17%!
ON REQUEST, NOT INCLUDED
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Lunches
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2 dinners
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Personal airport transfer
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High-end rental bike
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Massage at hotel
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Alcoholic drinks
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Tips for guides
TOUR ITINERARY
Day One - Como Warm-up Ride
Main Route: 40km – 25mi | Total Ascent: 680m – 2200ft
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 of the surrounding mountains.
Day Two - Como loop to Ghisallo and Bellagio
Main Route: 100km – 65mi | Total Ascent: 1700m – 5550ft
This is One of the nicest bike ride you can do in Italy, a classic loop to Bellagio along the stunning Lake Como and then up to the Colle del Ghisallo, famous for the little chapel dedicated to all cyclists and also for the challenging Muro di Sormano. The same route is used every year for the Giro Di Lombardia Pro Race and the Giro D'Italia!
Non-Riders: lake cruise to Bellagio and visit of Cycling Museum
Day Three - Como to Bormio
Main Route: 150km – 90mi | Total Ascent: 1200m – 3550ft
Today we leave the lakes district behind us and move to the Alps along the easy Valtellina all the way to Bormio. A very long ride with no major climbs but with the option to climb the Passo Mortirolo!
Optional Activity: Wine Tasting and Relax at the Roman Spa
Day Four - Bormio Loop to Passo Gavia and Mortirolo
Main Route: 120km – 75mi | Total Ascent: 2700m – 8550ft
Today, as optional ride, we will check the Passo Gavia from Santa Caterina, from 1000m up to 2685m...second in altitude only to Passo Stelvio! Optional Extra loop on the Mortirolo...are you ready for a big challenge?
Optional Activity: Hike on Passo Gavia and relax at the Roman Spa
Day Five - Bormio loop to Passo Stelvio
Routes: 70km – 95km | Total Ascent: 1500m – 2800m
The King, Passo delle Stelvio with its 2750 m is the highest pass on the Italian alps and probably the most iconic climb in cycling. The climb is 24 km long and average 7%, but because of the Altitude and the different clima you find along the way it can be very challenging. Remember...this is the "Easy" side!!
Optional Activity: Hike on Passo Stelvio and cheese Tasting
Day Six - Bormio to Corvara
Main Route: 190km – 90mi | Total Ascent: 2500m – 7500ft
The longest ride of the tour, from the Alps to the Dolomites! We start with the
steady climb up to Passo Stelvio, followed by a super long descend and flat to
Bolzano. We finish in Val Gardena after one more climb to Passo Gardena!
Optional Activity: Visit of Merano and Bolzano
Day Seven – Corvara loop to Sella Ronda
Main Route: 80km - Total Ascent: 1900m
Just another day on the Dolomites! Today we ride one of the most scenic route in the world, the Sellaronda: a short but intense loop around the Sella Massive including 4 passes!
Optional Activity: Gondola and hike on the Dolomites
Day Eigth – Corvara loop to Maratona Dolomiti
Main Route: 120km - Total Ascent: 1900m
What about riding the full course of the Maratona Does Dolomiti without the pressure of the Granfondo?
A long and Challenging ride with 7 climbs including Passo Pordoi, Sella and Giau!
Optional Activity: Hike on the Marmolada glacier
Day Nine – Goodbye
Tranfer to Venice Airport
Follina is very close to Venice, so easy to connect to any other destination.
TOUR MAP