Meet the SFIDA Cycling staff at Venice Airport (VCE) or at the designated hotel nearby. We will travel by van to our first destination: Corvara, where every road takes you to an epic climb, besides we are in the heart of the Dolomites.
After check-in at our hotel we will proceed with our orientation meeting, lunch, and then build up our bikes.
Our afternoon ride will take us up to Passo Gardena and back, we will also include the short and fun Mur dl Giat, a short wall near La Villa.
DAY 1
29km / 780m
CLIMBS: Passo Gardena 2,120m Mur dl Giat
HOTEL: Hotel Posta Zirm
We are in the heart of the Dolomites, so we are here to climb! Starting with the Passo Valparola, soon we will be enjoying amazing views, yes, we are going high.
At the top of the Valparola there’s a First WW museum at the Tre Sassi Fort, this part of the Dolomites saw heavy fighting during the war.
After the Valparola, we will climb the Passo Giau, it is amazing to see that year after year, no matter how many other amazing and tough climbs we do, the Passo Giau remains in our client’s memories (and legs), as one of the toughest during the trip.
At the top of the Passo Giau, we will be able to enjoy a 360-degree view over the Dolomites, one of the most stunning views you can imagine.
To end this great day, the Passo Falzarego on its easier side plus a couple of kilometres back to the top of the Valparola before our descent back to La Villa and return to Corvara.
DAY 2
92km / 2,825m
CLIMBS: Passo Valparola 2,192m Passo Giau 2,236m Passo Falzarego 2,105m
HOTEL: Hotel Posta Zirm
As we mentioned before, being in the heart of the Dolomites gives access to a great number of epic climbs.
Today our SFIDA special Sella Ronda ride will involve climbing four of these Passos in this order: Campolongo, Fedaia, Sella, and Gardena.
We start with the easy Campolongo out of Corvara, then descent down the valley via the Salesei switchbacks and start the second climb, the Passo Fedaia, also known as La Marmolada, is definitely one of the hardest climbs in the Dolomites, especially from the Malga Ciapella section to the top.
This is a great loop as the distance is not too long but it has a lot of elevation. In general, when riding in areas like the Dolomites, don’t get fooled by the relatively short distances we do, the elevation gain is usually very high instead.
For the riders that prefer a shorter ride, we propose the classic Sella Ronda, 50km and 1,600m of climbing.
The Sella Ronda includes the Passos: Campolongo, Pordoi, Sella and Gardena.
DAY 3
85km / 2,670m
CLIMBS: Passo Campolongo 1,875m Passo Fedaia (Marmolada) 2,057m Passo Sella 2,244m Passo Gardena 2,121m
HOTEL: Hotel Posta Zirm
Today we are leaving behind the Dolomites region, riding for one more time up the short Passo Campolongo, so we can enjoy the great views over Corvara.
Next is Passo Pordoi, one of the classic Dolomites climbs, build in 1904 has a total of 33 switchbacks from Arabba, the side we are climbing. At the top, there is a monument commemorating the riders that have crossed in the first position every time the Giro d’Italia has gone through it, around 40 times since the first time it was used in 1940.
After some time at the top of Passo Pordoi, we will descend to Canazei and continue down the valley until the start of the Passo Costalunga, from there we will descend towards Bolzano via the Passo Nigra, a much nicer and quieter road.
Our accommodation in Bolzano is on the slopes of the vineyards, a beautiful setting.
DAY 4
91km / 1,825m
CLIMBS: Passo Campolongo 1,875m Passo Pordoi 2,239m Passo Costalunga 1,752m
HOTEL: Hotel Magdalener Hof
In the next couple of days, we will be riding in the South Tyrol region. As usual, at SFIDA Cycling we always look for new climbs and areas that can be of interest to our clients, we are sure the South Tyrol rides will be great.
Leaving behind Bolzano we start climbing straightaway up to Oberinn/Auna di Sopra, remember that this region of Italy used to be part of the Austro-Hungarian empire, so both, Austrian and Italian names are used.
The main climb of the day is the Penser Joch/ Passo di Pennes, well over 2,000m, this is a high country.
A great descent will take us to our accommodation in Sterzing/Vipiteno.
DAY 5
83km / 2,835m
CLIMBS: Auna di Sopra 1,383m Penser Joch/Passo di Pennes 2,215m
HOTEL: Steindl Boutique Hotel
Today our ride will involve climbing a couple of new mountain passes, this part of the South Tyrol, bordering Austria, is used quite often by some professional cyclists when training in altitude.
This is the first time we attempt this ride with our clients, unbelievably this ride is harder than the Mortirolo-Gavia loop…only at SFIDA Cycling do you have the opportunity to challenge yourself at this level.
Just leaving Sterzing/Vipiteno behind and we start climbing the, this is a solid 15km climb with a very regular gradient at 7%. From the top we descend to Sant Leonard, here we start one of those amazing monster climbs that we like to put in our trips every now and then…
Timmelsjoch/Passo del Rombo is 29km long with a 1,800m altitude gain to reach the top at just over 2,500m high, this is a serious climb, but very scenic!
We will descend the same way down, as we don’t plan to get into Austria this time. Later on in our ride, we will arrive at the spa town of Merano.
DAY 6
123km / 3,670m
CLIMBS: Jaufenpass/Passo di Monte Giovo 2,094m Timmelsjoch/Passo del Rombo 2,509m
HOTEL: Garni Fosterhoh
If there is one day that all the cycling aficionados, lucky enough to ride in Europe will always remember the first time you climb the Passo Stelvio. And if you are even luckier and ride up this epic climb during a trip with SFIDA Cycling, the experience will be memorable.
We the addition to the Jaufenpass and Timmelsjoch on yesterday’s ride, today we want the clients just to enjoy the Stelvio, so we will transfer to Prato dello Stelvio and start riding this historical climb. Take it as a rest day in between two monster days!
The Giro d’Italia climbed the Stelvio for the first time in 1953 and the first rider going through the top was the phenomenal Fausto Coppi, he crossed the line first too in Bormio to win the stage and seal his fifth and last Giro d’Italia.
So here we are, taking our clients up the Stelvio again. The 48 switchbacks, the altitude, the views…and the great feeling once you reach the top, as said, a lifetime memory.
After enjoying our conquer, we will descend down to Bormio, where we will stay in one of SFIDA’s favourite hotels for the next three nights.
DAY 7
47km / 1,885m
CLIMB: Passo dello Stelvio 2,757m
HOTEL: Baita dei Pini
Today’s loop is one of the classic ones in the Italian Alps. The Passos Mortirolo and Gavia loop is definitely a very challenging ride, we just love this ride!.
We start our ride off from Bormio, down the Valtellina valley on a very pleasant road for the first 30 kilometres until we reach Mazzo di Valtellina, this is the start of the Mortirolo on its more classic (read hard) side.
The Passo del Mortirolo marked the start of the introduction of steeper climbs in the Grand Tours. Later on, climbs like Monte Zoncolan or L’Angliru, with much steeper gradients, have surpassed the Mortirolo in toughness. Still, the history associated with this climb, especially with the exploits of Marco Pantani, is hard to forget for cycling aficionados.
Don’t miss the memorial dedicated to Pantani at tornante 11 of the Mortirolo, a tragic reminder of a great rider that had a dramatic end to his life.
After summiting the Mortirolo we will descend towards Monno and start the approach to Ponte di Legno, where the Passo Gavia starts. This is another mythic climb that the Giro d’Italia has passed through a few times.
We always love to see our clients reach the top of the Passo Gavia on such a challenging ride, the coffee, and cakes at the Refugio taste better than ever. And the feeling that it is all downhill back to our hotel in Bormio!
DAY 8
114km / 3,275m
CLIMBS: Passo del Mortirolo 1,857m Passo Gavia 2,621m
HOTEL: Baita dei Pini
Bormio is an excellent base to explore a good number of great climbs and does beautiful rides, besides, it is a beautiful town with a lot of ambience.
The first climb today couldn’t be any other than the Stelvio from the side we descended yesterday, this is another scenic climb! and it has also a big number of switchbacks too, 40 if we are right. We will descend back towards Bormio but before reaching the town we will turn right and head towards the Lago di Cancano.
The climb up to Lago di Cancano is known as Torri di Fraele, this is the name of the tower that you can see closer to the top. The last kilometres have 17 consecutive switchbacks, no wonder is known also as mini Stelvio.
Back to Bormio, we should have time to explore and enjoy a Spritz or two in the main piazza before dinner. What a way to end a fantastic trip!
DAY 9
78km / 2,455m
CLIMBS: Passo dello Stelvio from Bormio 2,757m Torri di Fraele 1,941m
HOTEL: Baita dei Pini
Day 10: After breakfast, SFIDA staff will transfer you to Milano Malpensa Airport (MXP), arriving there by 13:00. Plan your departure flights accordingly.
MORE INFORMATION
PRICES:
TWIN room: 4,550 Euros pp
SINGLE Supplement: 950 Euros
Rental bike: 750 Euros
Rental ebike: 800 Euros
Bike bag/box transport charge: 150 Euros.
PAYMENT TERMS:
800 Euros when making the booking. Balance to be paid 120 days before the trip starts.
INCLUDED:
9 nights accommodation between 3 – 4 Stars
ALL MEALS INCLUDED.
9 breakfasts.
9 lunches, picnic-style on longer days.
9 dinners, including wine.
NOT INCLUDED:
International flights.
Travel insurance.
Hotel extras: mini-bar, spa, massage.
Tips for the staff.
SUPPORT:
We will have ride leaders and at least one mechanic on our trip.
Our staff/client ratio is 1:4 staff.
Our passenger vans come fully equipped with all necessary to give the best support during the rides.
We carry gels, energy bars, powder mix, water, fruit, riding food, tools, pumps, spare tubes and tyres to make sure our first-class support helps you through the trip.
Professional first aid kit.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
Adapting to the changes in international change after the COVID-19 pandemic, and incoordination, with most of the hotel’s terms and conditions, we are adjusting our cancellation policy accordingly as follows:
120 days before the trip starts – the return of your deposit minus any expenses that we may not be able to reimburse.
90 days before the trip starts – partial refund of the amount of the trip less 300 Euros cancellation fee, plus any amount that we can’t recover from Hotels, and other costs that we may have already incurred in the trip preparation.
Less than 60 days before the trip starts – no amount will be refunded. We will, however, try to credit as much as possible towards a future trip. This depends on the amount that we can get back from the hotels and other costs that we have already incurred in the trip preparation.
We highly recommend to contract travel insurance as soon you pay the deposit and buy your international flights.
Make sure your travel insurance covers:
- Refund of the amounts paid in case you need to cancel for any reason.
- Covers the cost of possible damages to your rental bike. Check our T&C for this.
For the reasons, we won’t be holding any spots until the full deposit has been paid.
Hotels are now more strict with how many rooms they are willing to have on hold for groups, so until deposit payments are made we won’t be able to confirm your spot.
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