We’ve got a full Giro camp, and we’re looking forward to an exciting time following what is often the best Grand Tour of the year. For those of you who weren’t able to pull the trigger before registration closed, there’s always 2013. Of course, if you can’t wait that long to get to Italy, we have 2 climbing camps in Bormio this summer, several Gran Fondo rides in June and July, and lots of amateur racing nearly every weekend.

As a reminder, camp is open this year from June 1 until August 2.

Grazie, e a presto!

Anyway, he writes with admiration for the Monte Grappa, and well he should. It’s a fantastic climb with a very memorable, important, and even mythic reputation for the locals. He is also right in saying that you can’t get a good feeling for the Monte Grappa, let alone the Veneto, in just a quick trip to ride la Pinarello – you have to stay and soak it in. So, if you’re up for some good food and wine, great riding, and fantastic scenery, culture, and history, why not join us in 2012!?

For Grand Tour watchers, we have a Giro d’Italia trip in May. June and August is available for custom tours, and July camp is open as usual. The week following la Pinarello, we’ll head up for a few nights into the Dolomites for some fantastic climbing and a bit of spa relaxation in the afternoons.

So, join our mailing list by filling out the form to the right, browse around the site to learn more about us, or if you’re ready, go ahead and reserve your spot now!

Our 2012 Giro d’Italia Camp details are now available. We know that May is traditionally a hard time to travel, what with kids in school, work commitments, and summer vacation plans looming, so we’ve put together a reasonable trip. It’s 8 days/7 nights, so you can get in and out with only 5 days away from work. You’ll get in 7 real rides in those 8 days, including riding to 3 stages of the Giro. You’ll eat Luca’s handmade pasta and pizza, you’ll taste local Prosecco, you’ll stay in a mountain inn for crying out loud! How much more awesome do we have to make this trip!?

OK, fine, we’ll do it all for less than $3,000. What!? A trip to a Grand Tour for less than $3k!? Nope, we haven’t lost our minds, we’re just that awesome.

So, up and at ‘em. Go reserve your spot now!

Not everyone can make it to Italy in May, we know. Some of you have work, school, kids, etc., but that doesn’t mean you’re left out of the fun. In 2011, we took a fantastic trip up to the Dolomites for a few days, and we’re going to repeat that adventure in 2012, but even better! Details on that are also forthcoming.

But even that’s not enough; some of you have your own plans! That’s great because we can accommodate you too. We’re working on custom itineraries for two groups at the moment, so if your team, club, or organization would like a special trip to ride in Italy, please contact us ASAP to begin the planning process. Time and dates are going quickly!

So, that was the long way of saying, hang tight – details are coming soon. Grazie!

The next morning we went to Feltre to see the stage start, spoke briefly with Team Sky’s Michael Barry, and then hopped on our own bikes and climbed the Monte Grappa from Seren. That capped a few big days on the bike, including 4 Giro d’Italia stages, so we treated ourselves to a fantastic dinner and gelato in Asolo.

But we’re not done yet! More local rides, and then the Colle della Finestre and the final TT in Milan await!
]]> http://www.veloveneto.com/2011/05/giro-tt-and-feltre-start/feed/ 0 http://www.veloveneto.com/2011/05/dolomites-weekend/ http://www.veloveneto.com/2011/05/dolomites-weekend/#comments Tue, 24 May 2011 20:58:49 +0000 Jason Cardillo http://www.veloveneto.com/?p=1386 If you follow us on Facebook, you’ll know we spent the weekend following the Giro through the Dolomites. On Saturday, we rode to – and then up – the famously steep Monte Zoncolan for its mountaintop finish (including a post-stage thunderstorm to end all thunderstorms). Then on Sunday, we climbed this year’s Cima Coppi (the Giro’s highest point), the Passo Giau, and watched the peloton pass through Caprile on their way up the Marmolada. This gallery is but a small sample of the pictures we have on various cameras and hard-drives from the weekend. Enjoy, and stay tuned for more!
]]> http://www.veloveneto.com/2011/05/dolomites-weekend/feed/ 0 http://www.veloveneto.com/2011/03/one-place-left-on-the-giro-ditalia-tour/ http://www.veloveneto.com/2011/03/one-place-left-on-the-giro-ditalia-tour/#comments Mon, 21 Mar 2011 12:36:04 +0000 Jason Cardillo http://www.veloveneto.com/?p=1263
We have one (1!) place available on our Giro d'Italia trip this year. We'll see the Monte Zoncolan, Marmolada, Belluno Hillclimb TT, and the stage start in Feltre.]]> Due to an unfortunate cancellation, we have one (1!) place available on our Giro d’Italia trip this year. It’s a custom group tour you’ll be joining for a 7-day/6-night itinerary from 20-26 May. We’ll see the Monte Zoncolan, Marmolada, Belluno Hillclimb TT, and the stage start in Feltre. Of course, we’ll be doing some great riding in the Dolomites and Veneto, and naturally great food and wine as well. This place is available for $2,280 including a single room. First-come, first-served, so contact us ASAP!

Stage 15 runs along SS251, right next to the landslide area.

One of the things I love about cycling, as opposed to stadium sports, is that it brings the competition into the lives of the tifosi. Stage 15 of this year’s Giro d’Italia, running north from our neighbors in Conegliano to the Gardeccia climb, recognizes the survivors of, and the nearly 2,500 lives lost to, the Vajont (pronounced VAY-ont) Dam Disaster.

Vajont Dam before the landslide

Conceived during the 1920s, but not constructed until after WWII, the Vajont Dam is one of the tallest in the world. Rather than being recognized as a marvel of engineering, it is remembered now as a warning sign to engineers, geologists, and politicians who choose to ignore the Earth’s warning signs. Despite many small landslides and earthquakes during construction and filling, SADE (the builders) and ENEL (government-run energy company) continued with their plan. Shortly after filling the dam’s lake to it’s highest level, another landslide forced them to begin lowering the lake’s level. But it was too late.

Late in the evening of 9 October, 1963, a 260 million cubic foot landslide triggered a 250m (820ft.!!!)-high wave that washed over the dam, wiping out the towns of Casso, Longarone, Pirago, Rivalta, Villanova, and Faè. In a strange coincidence, the dam itself survived intact.

Vajont Dam after the landslide

Today, life has continued. The towns have been rebuilt, businesses opened, and the landslide area (since then, stable) itself is open to the public. Stage 15, after climbing the Piancavallo above the Aviano airbase, descends past Lago di Vajont and the Vajont dam, remembering this terrible disaster, and reminding us that even though someone will be victorious at the summit of the Gardeccia, at the end of the day, the mountain always wins.

Interested in learning more? The Wikipedia article on Vajont Dam and it’s linked source material are a good jumping off point. Particularly interesting is the entry on Dave’s Landslide Blog.

Want to see Vajont, among the many other captivating sites, views, and people that make Italy so interesting? Join us this summer! Learn more about our Italian cycling camps or reserve your place now!