Italian Cycling Tours Ride Difficulty
A’QTO cycling tours are designed for cyclists. All of our trips are physically challenging, with some more so than others. Our Italian Cycling Tours are all designed to take you “past your usual level” on the bike, and then provide great rewards off the bike.
You will need to be comfortable riding in a small group with other riders.
We will support you every step of the way, with guides with local knowledge, mechanical and first aid experience, and a support car always following the group. We will often break into two groups if required, but you will always have a guide and/or follow car with you and a GPS with routes loaded in.
A’QTO cycling tours may include terrain that you may not be used to cycling on day to day. On our weekend escapes and on some of our Italian cycling tours, there is sometimes a small component of gravel, which helps us stay on quiet country roads and exploring the road less travelled. Of course, some cycling tours including our L’Eroica Italian Cycling Tour is all about the gravel.
Each tour is rated from 1 to 10 for difficulty, taking into account the terrain, the average distance and elevations per day and the possible inclusion of gravel.
Our difficulty legend below gives you a good idea of the intensity, who the tour is for and if it is right for you.
Please also feel free to talk to us anytime.
Rated 9 & 10 out of 10
These are the most challenging tours we offer. Serious training is required to get the most out of these adventures, and will challenge even the most capable riders.
- The Rider: “I ride at least 300km per week and will be training for this trip for months.”
- The Terrain: Mountainous terrain, with many long, steep climbs and technical descents. These routes are designed for avid cyclists and include plenty of chances to push yourself.
- Recommendation: Prior to departure, undertake a serious and committed training program 5 months out.
- Average Daily Distance: 70 – 90km
- Average Daily Elevation: 1500+m
Our Best of Sicily, Giro d’Italia, Como, Stelvio Dolomites Tours and Piemonte & Le Tour are all rated 9 out of 10
Rated 7 & 8 out of 10
This is where the going gets tough, with longer, harder riding through more challenging and varied terrain. Expect tough climbs as well as some tricky descents.
- The Rider: “I ride over 3 times per week and always try to put as many hills into the ride as possible.”
- The Terrain: Continual rolling hills over repeated days.
- Recommendation: Prior to departure, ensure that you have had at least 4 weeks where you have ridden multiple consecutive days with 1500+ metres each day.
- Average Daily Distance: 60 – 80km
- Average Daily Elevation: 1000m – 1500m
Our Tour of Tuscany and L’Eroica & Tuscany Cycling Tours are both rated 8 out of 10
Rated 5 & 6 out of 10
This is where the real adventure starts. Explore the roads you never knew existed and take on an occasional climb, surrounded by spectacular scenery and dramatic views. You can expect longer days in the saddle, safe in the knowledge that you will be supported at all times
- The Rider: “I ride a couple of times during the week and have a longer, ride on the weekend, mostly on flat terrain”.
- The Terrain: Slightly undulating countryside, with an occasional short climb.
- Recommendation: Prior to departure, ride at least 3 times per week with rides of 70km in length
- Average Daily Distance: 55 – 75km
- Average Daily Elevation: 500m – 1000mm
Our Puglia Cycling Tour is rated 6 out of 10
