Lake Como, Madonna del Ghisallo and Muro di Sormano

Friday 16 April to Monday 19 April 2010

Lake Como is one of the most beautiful places in Italy, it is also a place that is linked to cycling. Its the place that the Giro di Lombardia race always plays out its decisive moves - thanks to the mountains that rise up from the edge of the lake. It is also the home to the chapel dedicated to all cyclists – the Madonna del Ghisallo - the chapel sits at the top of one of the most famous climbs in the area. In the area there is also many other famous and hard climbs, including the Muro di Sormano (the wall of Sormano) - made famous thanks to it incredible steepness.
The long weekend will be based in Como, the city sits on the southern edge of the lake, our hotel will be in the centre of the city. On the Saturday we take on the famous Ghisallo and Sormano climbs. The day after, Sunday, we will ride out along the lake north, before taking a ferry cross the lake and climbing into the Val Sassina valley and looping back down to Lecco.

Tour Programme

Friday 16 April 2010 - Arrival in Como and Preparation. Collection of participants from Milan Malpensa Airport and transfer to your hotel in Como. Time to unpack; prepare bicycles and equipment for the next two days' group cycling. We will be running transfers late to accommodate people arriving on later flights.
Evening - Group dinner at hotel

Saturday 17 April 2010 - The Climbs of the Giro di Lombardia. Today we head out to conquer the 2 most well known climbs of the area, the climb to the Ghisallo and the climb of the Passo Sormano. The route takes us north east through the moutains, before we drop down to the lake and where we pick up the road to the base of the first climb – to the Madonna di Ghisallo, the chapel dedicated to cyclists. Once at the top you will have time to take a look at the chapel and the museum. Its then down hill to the base of the climb to the Passo Sormano. The climb has 2 routes, the newer easier route and the original 'Muro' route – a killer climb that has sections that reach 25%. The climb has recently been restored – they have helpfully also painted on to the surface the gradient – so when you are hurting on the climb you know why! For those who cannot face the idea of the climb there is the easier option of the newer road. We regroup at the top, have a bite to eat at the refuge before descending down to the lake and the road back to Como. Once at Como there will be the option to finish the ride with the final climb of the Giro di Lombardia race – San Fermo della Battaglia, a short sharp number. Total ride is 105km with 2900m of climbing.
Evening - Dinner at a local lake side restaurant.

Sunday 18 April 2010 - Val Sassina and Lecco. Today we head north from Como as far as Menaggio from where we will catch the ferry across the lake to Varenna, from here we keep heading north the Bellano from where the climb into the Val Sassina starts. We head east away from the lake and head into the mountains as we head for Primaluna, once at the top we will continue along the Val Sassina valley before descending down to Lecco where we will stop for a bite to eat. We will head off and ride north from Lecco to Bellagio and then south to Como. Those who want more climbing will be able to redo the Ghisallo climb from Bellagio. Total ride is 130km with 3000m of climbing.
Evening – Dinner at a local restaurant.

Monday 19 April 2010 - Departure from Como. Morning transfer of participants to Milan Malpensa airport for the return flights home.

Tour Details

We have included 3 nights in a 4* hotel in the centre of Como, all evening meals, all transfers between Milan Malpensa Airport on the Friday and the Sunday. Plus an exclusive Italian Cycling Tours cycling jersey. On top of all that a weekend of some of the best cycling in Italy. For a precise break down see below.

Tour start date:Friday 16 April 2010

Highlights: Climb the legendary Ghisallo and Muro di Sormano.
Visit the Ghisallo Chapel that is dedicated to all cyclists, vist the museum of Cycling.

Included: 3 Nights in 4* Hotel in the centre of Como.
Private transfers between Hotel and Milan Malpensa Airport.
1 Dinner at hotel.
2 Dinners at a traditional restaurants.
Italian Cycling Tours Jersey.
Secure bike storage.
Full mechanical assistance.
Fluent Italian speaking guide.


Not included: Airline Flights
Lunches.
Wine & Beer etc at Dinner.
Anything not listed in the 'Included' section above.

Max/Min Number of guests: 10 to 15

Deadline for booking: Wednesday 17 March 2010

Price Per Person: £500.00 Single Room (including £150.00 deposit) - £450.00 Twin Room (including £135.00 deposit)