Rides with Cycling-Made in Italy bike tours

Email: info@bikeitaly.com
FAX: +1 206.312.0080

Phone:
Italy* +39 0424.98671,
Italy* +39 349.618.9836
US 1.810.629.6424
* Eastern Time + 6, Pacific + 9

The following is just one of many possible weekly itineraries. Each day we take into account local weather conditions, special events and the condition and interests of our participants in planning the rides. Our support van makes it possible for riders of all levels, from beginner to advanced, and even non-riders, to enjoy each day’s itinerary. Our in-depth knowledge of the area and our ability to suggest fun, interesting destinations, based on what you want to do, is what distinguishes us from conventional tours, which oblige you to ride from town to town on a rigid schedule, rain or shine.

Saturday: Arrival at Bassano del Grappa train station. Our complimentary van shuttle meets you to bring you directly back to our base. After you check-in and have a chance to settle in and decompress from your flight, we’ll gather together for a reception with refreshments. While you get acquainted with us and your fellow riders, we’ll fit our bikes to you. Then, if you like, we’ll take an easy spin to check out the bikes and work out the kinks in your muscles. We’ll wrap up the day with a “Welcome to Italy” 3-course dinner in the Italian tradition.

Sunday: After breakfast, intermediate and advanced riders may choose to join a fast ride with our friends from a local Italian club. We’ll lead beginners (and anyone else) north on the lovely river road that leads up to Lago Corlo and the charming village of Arsiè. We’ll be back at home base in time for a hearty lunch. You may choose to enjoy the afternoon on your own taking part in the many alternative activities available, such as hiking or water sports. In the late afternoon, we’ll bring you to Bassano to join in the Italian custom of passegiata where everyone strolls about the piazzas to see and be seen. After an aperitif at an open air café, we’ll have dinner at an agriturismo, a working farm.

Monday: We’ll ride east through rolling terrain through vineyards which produce Prosecco, Veneto’s light, sparkling white wine, to visit Follina’s beautifully restored medieval abbey. We’ll regroup for lunch at specially selected eatery to sample regional specialties from the province of Treviso. On the return leg, we’ll stop to visit a winery, where you may taste and also buy wine to bring home in the van. Since most businesses, including restaurants, are closed Mondays, we’ll have dinner at your hotel.

Tuesday: Ride the foothills on a long but gentle climb to the Alpine town of Asiago at 3,000 feet above sea level. The van of course is available if you want skip any or all of the climbing. We’ll regroup in Asiago for a picnic lunch. You’ll enjoy wonderful Asiago cheese, both fresh and aged, made from milk produced by the happy cows you’ll have passed on your way in. Enjoy a scenic and exhilarating descent back into the valley. We’ll take you out to dinner at a specially selected nearby restaurant.

Wednesday: Rest day. Choose a day trip on your own to Venice; Verona, city of Romeo and Juliet; or Vicenza, city of neoclassical Palladian architecture. Take part in a ceramics workshop. Go hiking, paragliding, bungee jumping or enjoy water sports. Visit the Grottoes at Oliero. Or if you simply can’t get enough cycling, take a self-guided bike ride, we’ll supply the maps. To simplify the logistics of everyone being on a different itinerary, tonight’s dinner is at your hotel.

Thursday: Morning visit to Bassano’s open air market, featuring everything from fresh fish and produce to kitchenware, clothing and sexy Italian lingerie. If you’d like, we’ll also visit a bike shop in Bassano. After lunch we’ll ride to Asolo, a picturesque medieval hilltown. You can choose to visit the castle and cathedral of the exiled Queen Catherine of Cyprus, or challenge yourself with more riding in the surrounding foothills. We’ll rendezvous at a café in the main piazza before leading you back home. Dinner at your hotel.

Friday: Easy spin in the flats to visit the Giessegi factory, where you can buy bike clothing at fabulously discounted prices. After lunch if you still want another challenge you can ride the 21 switchbacks from our river valley to the hilltop village of Foza. We’ll celebrate your week in Italy with a special lunch after the factory visit and a farewell dinner party at a restaurant.

Saturday: Van shuttle to Bassano del Grappa train station. Guests staying for another week may choose a self-guided ride.

Mountain climbs and Dolomite passes

Here’s a brief list of the local climbs and the Dolomite passes which are within riding range of our home base:

Other Dolomite passes: With a minimum of 5 participants we can make arrangements for 2–3 day trips to stay in the Dolomites to ride other famous passes which are otherwise out of our range. Please contact us for more information. Please note that climate and daylight hours make it inadvisable to plan to ride in the Dolomites before June and after August.