The Bicycle Entrepreneur

Italian Cycle Tour 2008

I would like to offer the following package for like minded cycle enthusiasts to enjoy the cycle experience of Italy in a European summer. Starting at Rome International Airport, 19th August 2008, and concluding back in Rome 2nd September 2008.


Outline
The planned tour route will be based around three areas of Italy, Toscana (Tuscany), Veneto (Lake Garda) and Trentino Alto-Aldige (Italian Alps). We will spend 4-5 days in each location, enjoying the cycling experience on offer. Starting in the undulating hills of Toscana, testing ourselves in the foothills just out of Verona, then on to conquer the biggest Italy has to offer in Alto-Adige. Naturally, the environment lends itself to some of the best cuisine you will ever enjoy, complemented with the great wines the regions are famous for.

Daily plan

Date	Village	Ride Description
19th August	Arrive at Rome Airport, meet 8am. Drive directly to Montalcino.	Afternoon loop to valley floor and back, to shake out any jetlag.About 30km
20th August	Montalcino	90km undulating ride through Pienza, Montepulciano, and loop around the valley back to the village. Very scenic.
21st August	Montalcino	62km undulating ride to Asciano, returning over a series of very short steep roads. Then we drive to Lunch on the slopes of Amiata, at the region’s most renowned restaurant*.
22nd August	Montalcino	Today will be your first taste of riding up a mountain. Monte Amiata. 115km return. This will be one of your most mermorable rides.
23rd August	Drive to Lake Garda	On the way, we will stop at Siena for a look around, and shop for those interested. If anyone prefers, they can do a short ride through the Chianti region, during the stop here.
24th August	Lake Garda	For our time here, we will use the cycle guides from our hotel to take us on the daily rides.
25th August	Lake Garda	As above
26th August	Lake Garda	As above
27th August	Drive to Bormio	Afternoon ride up to a ski station called Bormio 2000(2000m). 15km
28th August	Bormio	Passo Gavia (2621m) 51km
29th August	Bormio	Passo Stelvio 105km or 68km
30th August	Bormio	Livigno ride or shop. Foscagno(2291m), d’Eira(2208m). 80km.
31st August	Bormio	Mortirolo (1896m), Gavia(2621m)
1st September	Bormio	Bernina Loop. Bernina(2323m), Forcola di Livigno(2315m), d’Eira(2208m), Foscagno(2291m). 131km.
2nd September	Return to Rome	Via Milan, Bologna, Florence.

All members of tour to meet at Rome international airport, Arrivals hall, 8am 19th August 2008. From here we will drive to Montalcino, Tuscany. It is about 240km to this central Tuscan hilltop village. We will stay here for 4 nights, riding the local area, and enjoying the local cuisine, and wine the area is famous for.

Departing Montalcino, we will drive to Siena for a tourist stop. Those that wish will be pointed in the right direction for a short 35km return ride through the Chianti, to Castellina in Chianti. The rest of us will nosey around until lunch. After which, we will take the Autostrada North to Verona. Verona is a beautiful town, which you will no doubt spend some time discovering in the evenings. Our hotel is between Lake Garda, and Verona. About 10 minutes out of town.

Ciao Verona. Following some very winding mountainous roads, we travel up to Bormio. We will spend more time here due to the unpredictability of the weather up here at altitude. We will climb some of the monuments of our favoured sport. Stelvio, Gavia, Mortirolo, to name a few in the area. There are plenty of roads ascending to high altitude, to test yourself against gravity. The area is very close to the town of Livigno, a duty free haven, only 43km away, which is a shoppers paradise. Not to forget the natural spas just out of town, the reason many Europeans come to Bormio.

Our cycling will conclude in Bormio on 2nd September 2008, depending on the group’s requirements, the vehicles will then head back to Rome, past Milan, Bologna, and Florence, dropping off people as they require for the next part of their holiday.

What the package includes

All transport and accommodation, from Rome airport on arrival, to Rome airport on completion of tour, or dispatch along return route to Rome.

All Breakfasts and evening dinners, with wine and water.

All lunches, on the ride each day. Daily guiding along each cycle route.

Maps of each ride each day for every person on the ride.

What the package does not include

Airfares to and from Rome Airport.

Personal travel insurance, which will be required for each member of the group.

Meals not taken with the rest of the group.

Lunch for one day during our stay in Montalcino, which will be at a restaurant called Silena.

Any in-hotel expenses you incur for your room, such as laundry, phone calls, minibar etc.

A new pair of legs, which you will all request on the third day.

Accommodation
Accommodation will be at 3 and 4 star hotels, in comfortable, family run establishments. The rooms will be twin share accommodation, this means two people per room. All hotels offer a laundry service, should you require it.

My Background
I have been a regular cycle tourist of all areas covered in the planned tour. Since 2001, I have travelled to Italy to cycle each year, and have a passion for the country and their love of cycling. Each cycle route on the planned tour, I have ridden at least twice, except for the area around Lake Garda, which we will use a local guide for. Whilst not fluent in the Italian language, I am capable of communicating the group’s needs where required.

Finally
Whilst I am experienced in planning cycle tours and travelling in Italy, all personal responsibility will be that of each member of the tour. I will personally take all the necessary care to ensure a safe and enjoyable cycle experience, but claim no responsibility. Each member of the tour will be required to provide a copy of their respective travel insurance for their time in Italy prior to joining the tour.

Should this proposal be suitable, tour details can be provided, along with planned payments, prior to departure. Please keep in mind that all Italian accommodation options in Summer are quite limited, as are the spots on this tour. The sooner you commit to the trip, the less likely you will be disappointed at missing out.

Thank you for your consideration. Should you have any questions regarding this proposal, please email me at

Looking forward to your company.
Marc Sherriff.