The Epic Italy – France Tour 2019 takes all that we love from our famous Epic Tours, starting on the Italian side of the agenda and ending in France. This is the tick box of bragging rights to the most famous climbs of the cycling world – Passo Giau, Sella Ring, Passo dello Stelvio, Passo di Gavia, Alpe d’Huez, Col de la Croix de Fer, Col du Galibier, Col du Telegraphe……
Combine these classic climbs with areas that give the perfect balance of beauty and relaxation – Lake Como and Lake Annecy. This tour lives up to it’s name every step of the way – EPIC!!!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Tour Guide
Brent joined our Kiwi Style team for the first time in 2018. Having competed in the famous New Zealand road and mountain bike events like Le Race, Grape Ride, Motutapu, Abel Tasman Challenge, he decided he was ready to take on the real mountain terrain of Europe. While most of...Tour Guide
Richy has been guiding for Kiwi Style since 2012. He is at home on the high alpine mountains - descending them anyway. He is the muscle of the team of guides, providing a great draft on the flat rides and friendly banter when the road starts pointing upwards. Richy will...