Welcome to Hooked on Cycling holidays and our cycling holiday in Italy. This particular biking vacation in Italy is in the region of Piemonte in the North west bordering France. This tour is available as a level 3-4 cycle tour which means it is very much suitable only for experienced tourists and fit cyclist and even then it will be a challenge. Piemonte is very well known for the Olympics which were held in the north of the region near Turin but it is also well known for its Truffles , chocolate and gastronomy. It is also a region little explored which means it is a wonderful area for your cycling tour. On this bike tour we shall take you over several climbs used by the famous race Giro d’Italia , this race often comes to these mountains in the final week as the race approaches Milan’s finish. Also you can test your self against the Professional cyclists. On some of the climbs you shall tackle a Crono test has been set up , at the bottom of the climb you take a ticket from the machine and then cycle like mad to the top, put you ticket in the machine there and you will see how your time compares – be astounded or maybe pleased to see you ranking.

Available June to September
Level 3-4 self guided tour

Day 1  Arrival in Cuneo
Check into your  hotel in the old area of the town. The hotel is a listed building and juts off the main square.

Day 2  Cuneo - Frabosa Soprana 40 miles 64 km
You head off south from Cuneo with the mountains in front of you , maybe you are starting to get nervous from expectation!. Soon you will be climbing up towards your destination. Only around 500m today of climbing just to get the legs warmed up.

Day 3 Frabosa Soprana - Chiusa di Pesio  35 miles 56 km
The standard route is a little shorter today but you do have some optional extensions. First just after your start you can attempt the Giro climb of the Prato Nevoso on a 700m incline. Then it is back down the valley road to your hotel. You can then continue into the National Park on a further climb

Day 4 Chiusa di Pesio - Sambuco 41 miles 66km
A beautiful days ride up the valley road , not really steep but a constant incline all the way to Sambuco where your hotel over looks the tiny village square and the surrounding mountains. Those who want a challenge have the following options
Sambuco to Colle della Maddalena (uphill track of Giro d'Italia) - km 18 - altitude range 800 m - max altitude 2000 m
Vinadio to Sant'Anna di Vinadio (uphill track of Giro d'Italia)  15 km - altitude range: 1106 m - max. altitude 2010 m

Day 5  Sambuco – Caraglio  56 miles 89 km 
Today we first cycle back down the valley towards Demonte and then we turn back into the mountains for the uphill track of the very difficult the Colle Fauniera at 2400m before it is down the valley road to Caraglio.

Day 6  Caraglio – Sampeyre 48 miles 77km
First we head out over the Montemale to Dronero , take a break and look around the ancient town and old bridge before we start our second climb of the day. You will cycle over to Stroppo and Elva and over the Colle Sampeyre a up hill track of the Giro at 2284m. If you wish to cycle further you can take on the Colle dell Agnello to 2748m another famous Giro uphill track.

Day 7  Sampeyre - Paesana 36 miles 58 km
If yesterday you did not have the legs for the Agnello then this morning is your chance. Before you head down the valley climb the Giro uphill track of the Colle dell'Agnello 30 km - altitude range: 1777 m - max altitude 2748 m. This is also a Crono test climb , see how you go against the Professionals

Day 8  Paesana - Cuneo 47 miles 75km
A final climb optional climb today  Paesana to Pian del Re (up hill track of Giro d'Italia) km 20 - altitude range: 1430 m - max altitude 2020 m . After this climb it is  the final ride mainly flat back to Cuneo.

Day 9 departure and return home

2012 Prices

How to get there:
By plane to Turin or Milan and then by train to Mondovi. You can also now fly into Cuneo.
To View our other sporting tours.

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Walking Holidays in Italy

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