The trip will happen the week following la Pinarello, which is Sunday, July 15, 2012. We’ll take Monday as an easy day, and then Tuesday drive and ride. Wednesday and Thursday will each offer hard and easy rides, and of course, you’re always welcome to take a spa break as you wish. On Friday we’ll ride back towards Castelcucco and our mini-adventure will come to a close. The exact routes will be determined by weather, but count on the Stelvio, Gavia, Mortirolo, Foscagno and others being on the itinerary.

And of course, Bormio has 3 thermal spas, so relaxation is in the cards as well.

Because we will be away from home base, and accommodating tired riders on long days, we will not be able to allow late arrivals, early departures, or arriving or leaving from an alternate location. We will be leaving from, and returning to, Castelcucco.

As this is a special trip, there is special pricing. This is really difficult and complex and will probably shock your wallet, so pay attention. The Bormio Climbing Camp is only a $200 supplement!

We look forward to seeing you in Italy in 2012!

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!

Looking down to Cortina from Passo Giau

While enjoying yet another beautiful day riding in the Dolomites last year, one of our riders brought up the idea of spending a couple of nights in the Dolomites and riding some different roads. This idea was quickly seconded by all in attendance, and this year’s post-Pinarello Dolomites trip was born.

It’s just a two-night departure from Castelcucco, but there’s lots of great scenery and challenging climbs during those three days. The itinerary is as follows:

July 19 – Tuesday
We’ll load up the vans and drive into the Dolomites this morning. Starting our ride in Fiera di Primiero, we’ll cross the Passo Rolle, descend down the north side, and then up and over the Passo Lavazè. A final descent will take you into Bolzano and our hotel for the night.

photo courtesy mudmucks, on Flickr

July 20 – Wednesday
A short drive up the valley will take us to our jumping off point for the day. There won’t be a lot of kilometers on tap, but the vertical will be challenging, for today we ride the Stelvio – our Cima Coppi! A good 1hr+ warmup in the valley, and then up we go. The last 5km will hurt as the road switchbacks it’s way to the top, so pace yourself and leave some gas in the tank. You’ll not forget summiting this iconic Italian climb. Descend down the west side and into Bormio and straight to our hotel for the night.

July 21 – Thursday
Today we ride right from the hotel and recreate the last ~50km of the 2010 Giro stage 20, won by Johann Tschopp, despite a furious chase by Evans, Basso, and Scarponi. The climbing is gentle from the start, but at Santa Caterina Valfurva, it kicks up until you’ve summited the might Passo Gavia! Once you break through the treeline, on a clear day, you’ll have stunning views of the glaciers in Stelvio National Park. Dropping down the south side into Ponte di Legno, we’ll recreate the last 50km stage 20 of the 2010 Giro d’Italia by finishing up the Passo Tonale. You’ll have definitely earned your dinner tonight!

A few important notes. Please make sure your flight itineraries don’t conflict with this trip – it’s one not to be missed! Two, put on a compact crank. Or a triple. Seriously. We’re not doing a lot of kilometers, but some of these climbs are steep – your legs will thank you and you’ll have a much more enjoyable time if you can spin your way up these hills. Finally, we’ll have sag support the whole time. Ride as much or as little as you want, but make sure you’re enjoying yourself the whole time!

Want to ride with us on our little excursion into the Dolomites? Join us this summer! Learn more about our Italian cycling camps or reserve your place now!

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!