Venetian Voyage
Date: June 11 to June 20
Terrain: Very Hilly | Daily Miles: 30-80
Difficulty Level: 4
$4,295
A challenging ride in northern Italy combines the chance to participate in the Campagnolo Gran Fondo with more great riding, acclaimed architecture and important works of art. A world class velodrome stands in Bassano. Famed bike factories, like Battaglin and Sidi, welcome our visit. Ancient Romans and Venetian merchants knew the beauty of this area, having left behind monuments to remind us of their power and wealth. Palladio’s mark is everywhere among the palatial villas, country estates and majestic public buildings in Verona and Vicenza. Cyclists have long ridden over these famous roads, as they will this year in the Giro d’Italia; the dramatic, high peaks form a splendid background against the rising foothills. The alpine atmosphere and views of the Dolomites will reward your efforts with every pedal stroke. From the plains of the south to the mountains of the north, Veneto and Trentino are choice destinations for cycling and sightseeing.
Stage One • Trento - Lago di Cei optional loop. 45 miles. Spend the day exploring this atmospheric city and its historic museum housed in a castle. Go for an optional ride on the bike path through the apple groves that line the Adige River or relax in the piazza under the Statue of Neptune. Trento is also home to Francesco Moser and some very good bike shops. Our hotel is an old-world style beauty with a wonderful outdoor pool in the garden.
Stage Two • Trento to Asiago. 60 miles - 6037 feet. Another big climbing day following the route of the Giro d’Italia. The picturesque mountain resort towns of Folgaria and Lavarone offer more stunning views of the Dolomites. Beautiful green hillsides, cow bells, snow-capped mountains and top-notch roads make the ride to Asiago unforgettable. Our rustic hotel resembles a Swiss chalet but we feast on a very Italian dinner.
Stage Three • Asiago to Feltre. 45 miles - 3264 feet. Numbered switch backs take us down to the Brenta River. We head into the historic, old center of Feltre where the excitement of tomorrow's event is evident everywhere as the town is filled with cyclists from all over the world. Enjoy the huge cycling expo before dinner. It's a football-field sized tent full of bike shops offering all your favorite Italian cycling gear at unbeatable prices.
Stage Four • Feltre - The Campagnolo Gran Fondo. 128 miles. A Gran Fondo is the European take on a century ride, and then some. This outstanding cycling event is a favorite of thousands of local cyclists and takes place over some of the roads where legends have been made. Ride the full 128 miles of the Gran Fondo, including the Cima Campo, the Passo Manghen, the Passo di Rolle and the Passo Croce d'Aune. The shorter, less hilly Fondo is 70 miles and includes 3 of these passes while the 62 mile Medio Fondo includes 2. The event offers numerous feed stations, rolling road closure, tech support from Campagnolo and electronic timing. There is a pasta party before the event and included with your entry is a Gran Fondo Campagnolo cycling jersey. You could just come along to view the fun and cheer on your friends and lots of other enthusiastic cyclists at this annual highlight of the European cycling season!
Stage Five • Feltre to Bassano. 60 miles - lots of feet. Go for the gold with a thrilling ascent up Mt. Grappa. We join up with some locals as we make our way over these well ridden roads. A long downhill ride brings us into Bassano. Or take the less mountainous route through the wine roads of Valdobbiadene and stop at the Villa Maser (designed by Palladio) and the SIDI factory, cycling shoemaker of the pros. Climb to Asolo, the "city of a hundred horizons" and take in the endless vistas over an espresso. Check out Bassano's velodrome, site of the Six Day bike races every summer. Our elegant hotel is right in the "centro storico" or historic center of Bassano. Better for exploring before dinner.
Stage Six • Rest Day Bassano - optional loop ride. The hills around Bassano are favorites of Italian cyclists with good reason. These twisty roads travel through a lush, green forest. Smoothly paved, well graded roads with little traffic and fine views make for outstanding cycling. If you choose to spend your day relaxing in Bassano there is plenty to see and do. Don't miss the Poli grappa distillery or the wonderful ceramics collection at the civic museum.
Stage Seven • Bassano to Verona. 84 miles - 3379 feet. We start out with a ride through the Mt. Berici all the way to Soave, famous for it's white wine. Then it's up into the rural green hills high above Verona with chestnut trees lining the roads. We descend right into town with fantastic views on the way down. Verona is a romantic city hugged by the curving Adige river. Explore the Roman arena and check out the food stalls in the Piazza delle Erbe market. Be sure to visit "Chesini," our favorite bike shop! Our luxury hotel is right near the Roman arena where today the opera is performed.
Stage Eight • Verona to Lake Garda. 25 to 75 miles - 935 feet. An easy spin through resplendent pastureland takes us to our resort hotel on Lake Garda. Relax at the pool or play tennis or miniature golf. If you're up for extra miles, go for a fast, flat ride pace lining along the shore with the lake glistening in the sun, but save your legs for tomorrow's big climb!
Stage Nine • Lake Garda to Trento. 62 miles - 6644 feet. A big climbing day as we make our way up to the summit of Monte Baldo. The views of Lake Garda and the Dolomites are incredible. A long, winding descent leads down to a delicious lunch. Rovereto is surrounded by mountains. For dinner, sample some fresh river trout and grilled polenta, a specialty of northern Italy.
Stage Ten • Trento - Option to climb Mt. Bondone - 40 miles and over 5000 feet. A rewarding finish to an exciting cycling adventure in one of the best places on the planet to ride.
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