Our Giro d’Italia tour starts in 16 weeks and it is shaping up to be a cracking tour again this year, with some great climbs that we can tick off the bike bucket list, as well as experiencing the finer elements of the Giro, with a truly diverse selection of Italian tastes.
We will be spending time in the Veneto and Lombardia regions this year, and to complement the sensational and varied riding from rolling hills and vineyards to pre-Alps and Alps, will be a diverse food and drinks experience, as we journey through these two great regions; from Prosecco and Soave, to Valpolicella, Valtellina Superiore and Franciacorta wines, through to Pizzoccheri pasta and Risotto with seasonal white aspargus, to beautiful cheeses including Grana Padano, Asiago, Gorgonzola and Taleggio, we’ll be experiencing it all.
Here we share a snap shot of what we think will be the top 10 experiences and highlights on and off the bike across 9 days on our Giro d’Italia cycling tour.
1. ITT & San Boldo
On day 2, we will ride through the Prosecco laden hills and watch the ITT, before climbing the amazing Passo San Boldo on our way back to our small family hotel. Dinner tonight will be a very rustic dinner at a local Osteria where everything is cooked on fire.
2. Passo dello Stelvio
We’ll ride up Passo dello Stelvio on day 7 and wait on one of the hairpin corners to watch the peloton race up the valley and over the pass on their way to Bormio. This is definitely a bucket list experience that every cyclist must be part of in their lifetime.
3. A Zero Kilometre Dinner
A very typical and local dinner with a zero kilometre philosophy; this means everything is very local and mostly made in house. It is one of our favourite food experiences on all of our tours, especially with the finish of the Braulio sorbetto.
4. Start village VIP Experience
Join the riders in the start village VIP enclosure in Bassano del Grappa on day 6. Enjoy an espresso and cornetti as we watch the riders sign on, and grab a photo with your favourite rider, while enjoying all the pre race atmosphere. It’s always a lot of fun.
5. Mortirolo & Bormio
Ride into Bormio after ascending Passo Mortirolo on Day 6. This is a tough, but beautiful climb that takes concentration and focus as you count down the hairpin corners on the way to the top, before taking a different road down on the descent, with stunning vistas that open up as you coast to the bottom. It’s just an awesome ride.
6. A mountain top finish at Piancavallo
We join the tifosi and the party on the side of the road as we wait to see a mountain top finish after riding up Piancavallo in the Dolomites on our 3rd day on tour.
7. The Mountain Spa Treatment
Post ride relaxation will be enjoyed in amazing 2000 year old roman baths, with views across the mountains. This is the ultimate muscle indulgence after 6 days of climbing.
8.Monte Grappa
Riding Monte Grappa is a big physical and mental challenge but one that delivers a high reward, as it’s a ride that has it all; open plains with the sounds of bells from the alpine cows , small roads through forests with owls hooting, tunnels cut out of the rock, roads that just cling to the side of the mountain, steep pinches that keep your head down and areas where you just have to turn your head to take in the views. After celebrating your achievement over lunch and coffee, we’ll have one epic descent into Bassano Del Grappa to finish.
9. Grappa in Bassano del Grappa
Grappa tasting on the old bridge in Bassano del Grappa, before dinner in the medieval old town. It’s just one of the experiences that must be had in this beautiful town and home of grappa, and we’ll be enjoying it all with a specialized Sommelier and a beautiful view.
10. Passo Gavia
Ride Passo Gavia on our final day and finish an amazing week with a beautiful Lombardian dinner amongst friends. Passo Gavia is our favourite ride in the Italian Alps out of Bormio and we believe, the perfect way to finish our Giro tour, before a fitting finale dinner in a 14th century stable.
We still have a few spots remaining on our Giro cycling tour in May 2020 and with it starting in 16 weeks, there is still enough time to start the training this week and be in top form for the first day in Italy.
16 Week Training Guide
Below is a rough training guide on what we think you would need to do pre tour, to be up to speed.
While everyone starts their training from a different base level of fitness, elevation training for the Giro tour is critical, as we believe it is the amount of time you are spending on the bike in the lead up to the tour that matters most, rather than the speed you are riding.
If you have any questions about our Giro tour or would like some more specific details on how to train for the tour, please send us an email, join us on a Livechat or call Damian on 0410 651 573.
