View of the Karnische Alps from our first hote |
Day 1
SUNDAY › 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 Mauthen on the eastern edge of the Austrian 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: 25 miles / 2,100 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 |
| No major climbs today |
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20% grades on the Zoncolan!
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Day 2
MONDAY › Monte Zoncolan!
With an average grade of 11.5% over 6.5 miles, the Zoncolan is the toughest climb in the European pro scene.
From our hotel in Austria we'll ride the 14km to the Italian border over the Plocken Pass. From the summit of the Plocken Pass we'll descend for 30km to Ovaro and the start of the infamous climb to the Zoncolan.
Today's Ride Summary: 65 miles / 9,850 ft elev. gain
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Today's Major Climbs: |
|
Climb
|
Elev. Gain (feet)
|
Average Grade |
Length
(miles) |
Profile
(m/km)
|
Difficulty
Index |
| Plocken Pass |
2,159 ft |
5.3% |
7.6 miles |
 |
90 |
| Monte Zoncolan |
3,970 ft |
11.5% |
6.5 miles |
|
221 |
| Passo Croce Carnico |
2,487 ft |
4.5% |
10.4 miles |
|
64 |
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The summit of the Passo Giau in May 2009 |
Day 3
TUESDAY › Over the Passo Giau to Alleghe
Todays ride features one of the most spectacular climbs in the Dolomites; the Passo Giau. From our hotel we have a long gradual climb through the magnificent Lesachtal valley to Kartitsch. From Kartitsch it's downhill to Dobbiaco just over the Italian border. Next up is Cortina d'Ampezzo, the cosmopolitan ski resort where the 1956 Winter Olympics were held.
Our main climb of the day, the Passo Giau, starts immediately on leaving Cortina. Don't forget to admire the stunning views of the surrounding mountain ranges as you're climbing.
Today's Ride Summary: 90 miles / 9,000 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 |
| Kartitscher Sattel |
2,700 ft |
1.9% |
26.4 miles |
|
80 |
| Passo Giau |
2,349 ft |
8.3% |
5.3 miles |
|
97 |
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On the Passo Sella |
Day 4
WEDNESDAY › 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 Fedaia, Passo Sella and the Passo Gardena to Corvara. From Corvara we'll take the long way around over the beautiful Passo Valparola before the long descent over the Passo Falzarego to Alleghe.
Today's Ride Summary: 65 miles / 9,350 ft elev. gain
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Today's Major Climbs: |
|
Climb |
Elev. Gain (feet) |
Average Grade |
Length
(miles) |
Profile
(m/km) |
Difficulty
Index |
Passo Fedaia
|
3,475 ft |
7.5% |
8.8 miles |
|
133 |
| Passo Sella |
1,310 ft |
7.3% |
3.4 miles |
|
61 |
| Passo Gardena |
820 ft |
4.2% |
3.7 miles |
|
36 |
| Passo Valparola |
2,630 ft |
5.8% |
8.6 miles |
|
88 |
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On the Passo San Pellegrino
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Day 5
THURSDAY › San Pellegrino
Todays ride sees us transition from the Dolomites to the Italian Alps.
Our main challenge is the Passo San Pellegrino (the eastern side) followed by the Cat.3 Passo Costalunga. From the top of the Costalunga enjoy the 30km descent into Bolzano before a flat 25km ride through the orchards between Bolzano and Merano then up the valley to Silandro which leaves us nicely in place for the assault on the Stelvio tomorrow.
Today's Ride Summary: 90 miles / 6,050 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 San Pelegrino |
3,750 ft |
6.3% |
11.3 miles |
|
97 |
| Passo Costalunga |
1,345 ft |
4.1% |
6.1 miles |
|
53 |
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The Stelvio - some of the 48 switchbacks |
Day 6
FRIDAY › 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: 65 miles / 9,500 ft elev. gain
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Today's Major Climbs: |
|
Climb
|
Elev. Gain (feet)
|
Average Grade |
Length
(miles) |
Profile
(m/km)
|
Difficulty
Index |
| Passo Stelvio |
5,930 ft |
7.4% |
15.1 miles |
|
172 |
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On the Passo Mortirolo |
Day 7
SATURDAY › 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 "surviving" the Mortirolo we head up the valley to Ponte di Legno where we start the climb to the Passo Gavia. The Gavia is the Cima Coppi (highest point in the race) of the 2008 Giro d'Italia and 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: |
|
Climb
|
Elev. Gain (feet)
|
Average Grade |
Length
(miles) |
Profile
(m/km)
|
Difficulty
Index |
| Passo Mortirolo |
4,265 ft |
10.5% |
7.7 miles |
|
186 |
| Passo Gavia |
4,470 ft |
7.9% |
10.7 miles |
|
147 |
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Day 8
SUNDAY › Arrivederci!
End of our trip and final transfer to Milan Malpensa
airport. |
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