Giro 2014 Time Trial! If we thought the individual time trial from Barbaresco – Barolo at this year’s Giro was going to be decisive, the ascent of Boscasso at the 12km mark that has been added to the route will surely favour the climbers! Experience the best of Giro d’Italia cycling tours with a week of Italian class this May – Giro d’Italia Bike Tour 19th – 24th
Italy’s Number 1 Grand Tour doesn’t have to be about snow-capped Dolomite’s, impassable roads and difficult conditions … well not for you anyway! In the unique style from the team at Practice Bicycle, Un-Pack Once & Cycle Everyday with blue skies the Italian Riviera and the Pink of the Giro d’Italia waiting for you. All with 6 exciting quality Race/Ride/View days this Spring!
With 3 Grand Tours in the professional world of cycling it’s the Giro d’Italia in May that shows the very best stage race riders at their physical peak. The 97th edition holds an intriguing outcome with many of the new era of young professionals coming to the top of world class rankings, and then we have Horner, Australia’s duo of Evans and Porte making for one of the most exciting Giro’s in years!
With our passion for cycling and Italy developed over many years including several memorable seasons based on Lago d’Iseo, the great lakes in the north of Italy where this year’s Giro will visit on Stage 15. Come and experience 3 contrasting stages with our Giro d’Italia cycling tours like no other!
With your luxury accommodation on the shores of the Mediterranean and the glitz and glamour of the city of Sanremo famous for the Classica di Primavera Milano – Sanremo (March each year) this has to be the ideal location to ride and escape to Italy this May.
Imagine yourself riding the super smooth twisting coast roads as you trace the landscape to Savona and then take on the final 12km climb overlooking the sea, a day of stunning blue and pink. If you have come to climb don’t be mistaken by the altitudes on offer, we start each day from the sea with a variety of challenges available!
Great wine also comes from Italy and the key stage and critical Time Trial this year is fondly called the “Wine Stage” as the 46.4km route passes these renowned vineyards of Piedmont. This will be a day rich in green and pink as we ride north and away from the coast to the roadside action of the TT.
Our third opportunity is the Stage 13 Start, with all the showmanship and organised chaos that can only be achieved in Italy and has to be experience to be believed!
At this pro tour event you will see the best professional bike riders in the world and with the Practice Bicycle team experience the best riding opportunities in a very special part of the world with our Giro d’Italia cycling tours in 2014.
Monday May 19th – Arrival Day
Distance 40km approx ride time 2hrs route Cycling Riviera
INCLUSIONS: Nice Airport (France) or Sanremo – Imperia (Italy) Train station Transfer, Welcome Drinks & Dinner in one of Liguria’s finest Restaurants
GIRO NON CYCLING GUEST: Share the spectacular tour day sights
Arrival Day on the Liguria coast; start your dream bike tour with the amazing panoramic views of the blue Mediterranean followed by a relaxing bike ride along the winding coast of Italy. This evening relax and enjoy drinks on the beach and eat like a local with a classic Italian dinner and finish in true Italian style with a Grappa and Gelato!
Tuesday May 20th
Distance 70km approx ride time 3.30hrs route Milano-Sanremo
Distance 50km approx ride time 2.30hrs route pick your col La Cipressa 239m Pompeiana 262m Poggio 160m
INCLUSIONS: Breakfast, Lunch
NON CYCLING GUEST: Share the spectacular tour day sights
Ride on the mythical roads of the Italian classic race Milan – Sanremo with the La Cipressa (5.6km, 4.1%) Pompeiana (5km, 5%) Poggio (3.7km, 3.7%) or take the comfortable Cycling Riviera pathway with some of the best views in the world, so many dreams all on one ride. With coastal villages and glitz towns the ideal place to take a lunch break amongst the cafes and palms of this coastal playground of the rich and famous.
Spend the afternoon relaxing on your private beach, shopping in Sanremo or Wine Tasting deep in the hills of Liguria. Tonight is a free evening to explore and dine at your leisure.
Wednesday May 21st – View Giro d’Italia Stage 11 Collecchio – Savona 249km
Distance 100km approx ride time 4hrs route Savona – Montenotte Superiore 714m
Distance 80km approx ride time 3hrs route Savona
Distance 60km approx ride time 2hrs route Varigotti
INCLUSIONS: Breakfast, Dinner
NON CYCLING GUEST: Share the spectacular tour day sights & Giro d’Italia stage
Today we join the race action on the slopes of Montenotte Superiore (12km, 6%) before the stage winner plunges at high speeds to the finish line on the coast in Savona, an important stage where time could be gained or lost prior to the Giro’s critical Time Trial tomorrow. We will feel like pro’s ourselves as the bike wheels turn easier than normal on the smooth bitumen of the coastal roads to Savona, in this region of Italy, streets aren’t measured by kilometres, but by emotions… perfect for cycling! Tonight feel more Italian than you thought possible with a traditional evening promenade and dinner of an Italian feast.
Thursday May 22nd – View Giro d’Italia Stage 12 Barbaresco – Barolo 46.4km (Time Trial)
Distance 130km approx ride time 5hrs route Liguria Alps – Colle di Nava 934m
Distance 90km approx ride time 3hrs route Tanaro Valley
Distance 42km approx ride time 2hrs route Barolo
INCLUSIONS: Breakfast, Lunch amongst the Vineyards
NON CYCLING GUEST: Share the spectacular tour day sights & Giro d’Italia Time Trial stage
If you came to the Giro d’Italia 2014 to see the winner, this is the stage you came to watch, the key stage 12 Individual Time Trial amongst some of the finest vineyards in Italy the Barolo region, a great day for lovers of the best cycling and wine…it’s officially called the Wine stage! Like fine wine the team at PRACTICE BICYCLE offer refined Bike Tours with a choice of superb ride options. Today arrive amongst the vineyards for a relaxing and tense Giro action day…with lunch included. Take the challenge of the Colle di Nava into the Liguria Alps with the ocean the perfect backdrop, enjoy the Tanaro Valley as we chase the river or save your energy for later in the day with a ride through the vineyards. An amazing and unforgettable day whichever ride option you decide at the Giro d’Italia…
Friday May 23rd – View Giro d’Italia Stage 13 Fossano – Rivarolo Canavese 158km (Stage Start)
Distance 80km approx ride time 3.30hrs route Barjado
Distance 45km approx ride time 2hrs route Mediterranean
INCLUSIONS: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner to remember!
NON CYCLING GUEST: Share the spectacular tour day sights & Giro d’Italia stage start
Today we can relax a little and transfer to the stage start, with all the flash and glitz of a fashion parade at the start of one of the biggest bike races in the world! Amongst the stage start look out for your favourite teams and cycling stars in a relaxed mood after the tension of yesterdays pressure cooker stage at the TT. The riders sign-on for work each day on the podium and it’s a great opportunity for you to get that special memento pic of the Pink of the Giro! The craziness of the publicity caravan will leave town followed by the glamour peloton of world cycling as they head north into the Italian Alps.
After a leisurely lunch we will head back to the coast where you can enjoy your final afternoon with a well-deserved drink on the beach or the opportunity for one last ride together with the spectacular blue Mediterranean Sea. Tonight join us to celebrate a great Giro d’Italia together with that marvellous Italian institution Dinner.
