Dolomites Mountain Tour

Sunday 13 June to Saturday 19 June 2010

This 7 day trip is a great way to see and ride the best of the Dolomite mountains. We will take in the most famous climbs in the area like the Passo Pordoi, Passo Sella, Passo Gardena, Passo Giau and the Passo Falzarego. We will also be tackling the mighty Maratona dles Dolomite course that is 138km with over 4000m of climbing.
This tour starts in Valdobbiadene the home to Prosecco sparkling wine, at Folina in neighbouring Veneto and runs north to the Alta Badia region in the Dolomites where we will be based for most of the week for the big rides before returning back down to Folina. The Dolomites have been classed a UNESCO Universal Heritage of Humanity site thanks to its stunning and unique scenery.

Tour Programme

Sunday 13 June 2010 - Arrival in Folina and Preparation. Collection of participants from Venice Airport and transfer to your hotel in Folina. Time to unpack; prepare bicycles and equipment for the next two days' group cycling. If you cannot wait to check out the immediate locality then you can take a short cycle ride out around the vineyards or take a stroll through the village.
Evening - Dinner at hotel.

Monday 14 June 2010 - Follina Loop. The first day of riding is a nice loop ride through the vineyards of Valdobbiadene, the area famous for being the home of Prosecco sparking wine. The ride starts from the hotel in Follina and does an anticlockwise route, crossing the river and heading towards Montebelluna, before heading back north. The ride is undulating and should set everyone up the high mountains that are to come.
Evening - Dinner at a characteristic Veneto resturant.

Tuesday 15 June 2010 - Follina to La Villa (Alta Badia) Today we leave the valley and start heading north to our destination of La Villa in Alta Badia high in the Dolomites. The ride leaves Follina and takes us east to the base of the first climb, Passo San Boldo, and the road to Sedico. From Sedico it is constantly climbing as we pass through the Dolomites national park, our destination is Arabbaand the base of the second pass of the day, Passo Campolongo. Once over the top it is all down hill to the hotel in La Villa.
Evening – Dinner at hotel.

Wednesday 16 June 2010 - La Villa (Alta Badia) Loop In view of the following days epic ride the day will be fairly relaxed with just 1 big climb at the end, the Passo Gardena. From the hotel in La Villa we descend north down the valley towards Brunico. Once at San Lorenzo di Sebato we take a left and head still downwards to Bressanone in the valley below. We ride down the valley to Villandro from where we pick up the road that climbs into the Gardena valley. We climb through the valley until we reach the pass at the very top. Once over it is again all down hill to our hotel in La Villa.
Evening – Dinner at hotel.

Thursday 17 June 2010 - Maratona dles Dolomites Today is the day of the big ride, the 138km Maratona des Dolomites. This is the most popular mass start ride in Italy with well over 8000 riders taking part each year. The ride is famous for 2 things, its stunning location and the difficulty of it. With just over 4000m of climbing it is not easy, but it takes in all the classic mountain passes of the area, including: Passo Campolungo (twice), Passo Pordoi, Passo Sella, Passo Gardena, Passo Giau and the Passo Falzarego. The ride is a true epic.
Evening – Dinner at hotel.

Friday 18 June 2010 - La Villa (Alta Badia) to Folina After yesterdays hard ride it is time to take things easy. The ride starts with a climb from the day before, Passo Campolongo and the descent down to Arabba. From there we head east down the valley to the second, and final, climb of the day, the Passo Forcella Staulanza. From the top it is down hill to Longarone and the road to Belluno and the finish in Feltre.
Evening – Dinner at hotel.

Saturday 19 June 2010 - Departure from Folina. Morning transfer of participants to Venice airport for the return flights home.

Tour Details

For the tour we have included 6 nights in a 3*/4* hotels on the route, all evening meals, all transfers between Venice Airport and Folina. Plus exclusive Italian Cycling Tours cycling jersey. On top of all that, hopefully one of the most memorable and challenging bike tours you will have ever done. For a precise break down see below.

Tour start date:Sunday 13 June 2010

Highlights: Ride the high mountains of the Dolomites.
Test yourself on the famous Maratona course.
See the stunning scenery of the Dolomites.
Ride around the Valdobbiadene, the home of Prosecco.

Included: 6 Nights in 3*/4* Hotels along the route.
Private transfers between hotel in Folina and Venice Airport.
6 Dinners.
Italian Cycling Tours Jersey.
Secure bike storage.
Full mechanical assistance.
Fluent Italian speaking guide.
Full van support on the road.

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: Friday 14 May 2010

Price Per Person: £1,050.00 Single Room (including £315.00 deposit) - £900.00 Twin Room (including £270.00 deposit)