Epic Italy – France Tour 2019

How do you ease into things when you are on the doorstep of the famous Dolomite mountains of Italy?  You’ll be chomping at the bit to get on your bike to ride from sunrise to sunset, but we’ll manage your itinerary so you enjoy this from start to finish.

The Epic Italy-France Tour 2019 itinerary includes the following locations and rides:

•  Cortina d’Ampezzo. Italy:

Our  riding starts in the Italian Dolomites – a visually spectacular area that will have you smiling from ear-to-ear as soon as you clip into your pedals.  We’ve got an easy ride to Lake Misurina on the cards to start the tour – but we can put a sting in its tail for those who want to test their climbing legs.  After the light ride to blow out the jet lag we get into what the Dolomites are all about – classic climbs on beautiful roads.  The Passo Giau rewards you with one of the most spectacular views at its crest.  The jewel in the crown is the Sella Ring – the loop of Passo Gardena, Passo Sella, Passo Pordoi and Passo Campolongo, for the ultimate day on the bike.

• Bormio. Italy:

Nestled in the Italian Alps, we have on our doorstep for the next rides – Passo Gavia, Livigno, Lago di Cancano and the high point of this tour – the famous Passo dello Stelvio at 2758m above sea level.  All this stunning climbing is an absolute visual feast, but the legs might begin to get a bit wary.  Luck would have it, the local Roman baths are the perfect way to recover. Relax! Enjoy! There is plenty more riding ahead!

• Lake Como. Italy:

This is a location and ride to be soaked up and enjoyed – weaving in and out of the picturesque villages of Lake Como and wowing at the lakeside villas.  The climb up the Ghisallo is worth every drop of sweat.  At the top is the spiritual home of cycling: the chapel of la Madonna del Ghisallo (the Patron Saint of Cycling).  After a lunch stop in Bellagio we get to relive the mornings blast around the lake on the return to Como.

• Alps d’Huez, France:

We transfer over the border and into France – straight into the French Alps.  This is where the most famous battles of Tour de France cycling have taken place over the last century.  This is where legends have been made, heroes have fallen and careers have been defined – Alpe d’Huez, Col du Galibier, Col du Glandon, Col de la Croix de Fer.  Spill your sweat on these mythical mountains – but enjoy the magnificent scenery while you do.

• St Jean de Sixt, France:

We are in the heart of the Haute-Savoie region, featuring Lake Annecy, Col des Aravis, Col d’Arpettaz, Col de la Colombiére and so many more.  This is a stunning area to finish a tour – the mixture of fantastic climbs and lakeside rides ticks off the final boxes on this Epic tour.  If you think you have some climbing legs left – we can keep on serving them up until you are satisfied that you have squeezed every bit of pedalling enjoyment out of this tour.

Each Kiwi Style Bike Tour has a full ride itinerary, which includes shorter ride options where practicable.  We provide an atmosphere where no ride is compulsory and can advise which rides to shorten to ensure you enjoy all of the features of this tour.  We have the experience and knowledge of the areas to make changes and adjustments to ensure the best cycling experience.  We are in high alpine areas and weather can have a major impact on ride options.  We aim to accommodate the needs and abilities of all riders in each group and will recommend changes accordingly.

Highlights:

• The spectacular Italian Dolomites.
• The Sella Ring.
• Legendary Italian climbs Passo di Gavia and Passo dello Stelvio.
• The stunning Lake Como.
• The climbs made famous through Tour de France history – Alpe d’Huez, Col du Telegraphe and Col du Galibier.
• Riding in the mountains and cycle paths around Lake Annecy.

What’s included in the tour package?

• 14 nights’ share twin accommodation.
• All breakfasts while on tour.
• 9 dinners while on tour.
• All transport and transfers while on tour.
• Pick up from Marco Polo Airport, Venice.
• Drop off to Geneva Airport.
• Guided cycle rides.
• Support van on most rides.
• One Kiwi Style Bike Tours cycle top and bib shorts.