Steep Climbs Offer Great Rewards on Cannondale Italian Dolomites Tour
by Bike tour guru
The Giro d'Italia has some tough mountain stages that push the limits of the professional riders trying to take stage victories. On our Cannondale Tours cycling tour in the Italian Dolomites, our guests will get the opportunity to test themselves on those very same climbs, climbing ever skyward amongst the legends of professional cycling. This challenging, yet extremely beautiful and satisfying trip, will leave you in awe. Push your legs through some pain and reap the benefits of standing atop this pristine and stunning mountain range. We promise that the suffering will be worth it every step of the way on this bike tour. And it will always end when you get off the bike.
After arriving in Venice, you'll move towards the mountains, saying goodbye to the flat regions of Italy. Don't be too upset though, as you'll soon see why it's so important to ride up these mountains. The views are truly incomparable. We'll start off with a more relaxed ride, warming up the legs before getting into the tougher climbs. Though there is an ascent, the 26-mile ride to Lago Misurina takes us through ancient pine forests that will be truly inspiring. After getting your feet wet, the climbs will begin in full.
Make sure to have a hearty breakfast on day two, as we'll be going at two difficult climbs. The first, Passo Giau, is a 9.3 mile ride that averages a 6.9% grade and that brings you to a lookout with a stunning view of the surrounding mountain chains. Take in the view and enjoy the succeeding descent; we're about to go skyward again. Passo di San Pellegrino has a slightly lower grade, 6.1%, but is also a bit longer at 11.3 miles. The legendary Giro d'Italia ride is home to the Liquigas-Cannondale high-altitude training center, so we may even get to see some of them training on the routes we travel.
Once you replace all those calories with a couple delicious and authentic meals, we'll begin day three cycling through the Trento-Aldo Adige/Suditrol region, an autonomous region in Northern Italy. The inhabitants, proud of their Germanic heritage, will more likely be speaking German than Italian as you travel through. After riding through this region, the climbs begin again. Two climbs, separated by a beautiful descent and picturesque views will fill the day. Your legs may feel a bit heavy, filled with lactic acid from the challenging rides you've endured, so once our ride concludes you'll have the option to shake them out a bit with an easy slow ride. If not, enjoy the night on your own, as your guides will provide some sound advice on where to eat.
On day four, you'll get to ride with a Liquigas-Cannondale professional rider. If you can keep up with him on the climbs, maybe you can pick his brains on the ins and outs of being a pro athlete. You can stall him by asking for a swig from his bottle of water, he won't ride off without it! The day has two climbs with a short descent in between (this is becoming a theme for this tour), so make sure to rest and enjoy the downhill before the challenge ahead.
Day five may be the most difficult ride of the week. That said, it is also the most beautiful. We'll roll slowly down the mountain to the foot of Passo del Erbe. We'll attack the six-mile climb just after reaching the bottom. Be prepared for this one, it will certainly challenge you. Enjoy the respite at the top. It's a beautiful view and there will be some delicious food waiting for you. The hard work pays off, as a stunning 11 mile descent will treat your eyes and senses to the beauty of the region. After this rejuvenation, you'll be able to tackle the next climb, as it is the last of your tour.
This challenging Cannondale Tours bike tour through the Italian Dolomites will give you two extremes of emotion and stimulation. Your legs will have to work, as climb after climb will make the muscles ache, but you will be rewarding for each one by the beautiful descents and peaks. If you're not too busy focusing on getting up the mountain, you should still be able to enjoy the scenery on the way up. If you're interested in a truly satisfying bike your, a trip through the Dolomites will serve you well.
