Type: Dolomites / GranFondo Eddy Merckx
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Experience Level: Intermediate / Advanced
Mileage: 40 to 60 mi / day
Description… Enjoy some of the best passes in the Dolomites and many of Italy’s toughest climbs, concluding with a great Italian GranFondo event. This tour features the Eddy Merckx GranFondo located in the Dolomiti foothills. Climbing highlights this tour include the “must ride” passes of the Passo Pordoi, Sella, Campolongo, Giau, and the Passo Fedaia located just below the massive massif of the Marmolada. If you would like to learn more about GranFondo cycling events in beautiful Italia go to our Cycling Events page.
Package Includes:
- Fully supported with 3 and 4 star accommodations
- Participation in the Eddy Merckx GranFondo
- Fantastic climbs in the Dolomites
- Wine Tasting
- GranFondo Cycling Tours Jersey included
- SAG vehicles for long rides and GranFondo Event
- All Breakfasts and dinners included
Climbing Highlights:
- Sella
- Campolong
- Giau
- Valparola
- Pordoi
- Fedia
Special Event . . . The Eddy Merckx GranFondo cycling event offers Passes through the Dolomite foothills with two categories to challenge every skill level. Last year 2100 cyclists participated in this event, and number that is sure to grow every year.
GranFondo 155.5km, 3204 meters of climbing
MedioFondo 85.6km, 1700 meters of climbing
Click here for a detailed Course Description.
Day 1: Warm up climbs around Lago di Garda
We will meet at our four star boutique hotel with it’s wonderful view over Lake Garda to settle in for a few days. Build the bikes in our well equipped bike room and purchase any last-minute items from the local bike shop. Take a warm up ride through the wineries and orchards or choose one of the more challenging routes prepared for the day. After the ride take a refreshing dip in the pool, grab a beer in the bar, enjoy a sauna, or treat yourself to a message. Tonight we will enjoy a great dinner prepared by our hotel’s chef, talk about the tour, and pass out maps and Jerseys.
Day 2: Valpolicella wine route / Wine tasting in Bardolino
Today will be a moderate intensity ride with a longer climb through the mountainous vineyards of the Valpolicella wine region. This afternoon we will enjoy wine tasting and appetizers in the lush green vineyards of Tre Colline. We will tour their wine production facilities and have a short lesson in the making of wine and olive oil. Tonight we have a special dinner planned at a reservation onlyagriturismo farm. This restaurant offers a variety of local culinary delights and a good selection of wines including their own wine produced in the vineyard that surrounds the restaurant.
Day 3: Sellaronda loop
Today we travel to region of the Dolomiti with our first ride around the Sellaronda massif, other wise know as the Sella Ronda loop, a classic ride in alpine cycling. On this route you get to climb 4 mountain passes, 3 of which are higher than 6,600 feet. On this loop you are always surrounded by the awesome jagged peaks of the Dolomites. It is a rare opportunity in the cycling world to be able to tackle four such awe inspiring passes in single day! Passes: Gardena, Sella, Campolongo
Day 4: Passo Giau
Todays ride will be the mighty Passo Giau. This challanging pass will be a finishing climb in the 2012 Giro. It features a series of 14% slopes near the bottom of the climb which ease toward the top, with an over all average of 9.3 %!
Day 5: Passo Valparola, Pordoi & Fedia (Marmolada Massif)
Today we will take a loop ride along part of the GranFondo course in reverse order, and add an additional climb of the leg breaking Passo Fedia located just below the Marmolada Massif, in conjunction with the Passo Valparola and Passo Pordoi from the back side.
Day 6: Adige valley, pre Alps
Today we will transfer back to Lake Garda. After arriving at the hotel we will take a recovery ride and end up at the GranFondo registration and EXPO. Explore the Expo and collect some cycling swag. Tonight we will have a carbo-loading pre GranFondo dinner and prepare for an early start.
Day 7: Eddy Merckx GranFondo
After an early breakfast we will ride together to the start of the big event. You can choose the long GranFondo with 155.5 km and 3204 meters of climbing or the Mediofondo with 85.6 km of riding and 1700 meters of climbing. Lat year Eddy led out the race along with other cycling champions past and present.
Day 8: Departure
After breakfast It is time to say goodbye to all our new friends and start dreaming about next years trip. Additional rides possible based on departure times.
Dates:
June 4 – 11, 2012
Package Price:
$2,895
Single supplement:
$650
Options:
Free pick up shuttle in Venice Mestre or take a taxi from Verona airport or train station.
- Arrivals and departures from Verona or Venice
Our groups are kept small so reserve your spot soon. To make your reservation please submit your reservation form along with a credit card deposit of $300. Note: deposits are refundable within 3 months prior to the tour date minus a $100 processing fee. Final amount will be due 3 months prior to the tour departure date.
To Sign Up Click Here:
Register Now!
Once you have reserved your tour an account will be created for you that will be used to track and update your customer information required for your tour. This will include your contact information, rider profile and various tour options. You will be able to view or update your information at any time.
Final payments are due 3 months prior to the tour date. These can be paid by check or credit card. Checks can be sent to the address below.
Checks:
Payable to: Granfondo Cycling Tours
13753 Woodgate Pl,
Poway, CA. 92064
Or by Credit Card (Visa / Master Card)
Travel insurance … also known as trip insurance, is recommended for anyone traveling in a foreign country. They are relatively low cost and can protect against unexpected cancellations and depending on the company can provide additional medical coverage, property damage, theft etc. For our tours we recommend CSA Travel Protection. When purchasing please mention that you are with our group. Agent initials CAP and producer code W8000182.
Airfare assistance … For a good source on tickets you can contact Connoisseur Consolidators 1-888-646-6522. If you call, please let them know you are with Granfondo Cycling Tours.
Cancellation Policy … In the event that you have to cancel your trip the following rules apply to regularly scheduled tours. Private tours may have additional guidelines.
- 100% of deposit refunded within 30 day of payment
- $100 administration fee within 3 months prior to tour start date
- 50% refund within 1 month prior to the tour start date
- Medical emergencies are on a case by case bases
- Travel insurance is always recommended
