Posts Tagged ‘Montello’
|la Pinarello Registration
Friday, April 22nd, 2011
Many of you are joining us (again and again, in some cases) for la Pinarello on July 17th. If you weren’t with us last year, there is a new course and start system, among other changes. The Gran Fondo now starts in central Treviso at the Piazza dei Signori and heads north taking in the Montello and Mostaccin before the route splits. For the truly hardy, the Gran Fondo route heads up the 20% ramps of the Salto della Capra, before descending the north face of Monte Grappa and eventually rejoining the Medio Fondo route as it heads into Valdobbiadene. For us “normal” folks, the Medio Fondo route (recommended, given our foray into the Dolomites the following days) turns east and winds its way up the vineyard hills before a return to Treviso (with a last taste of the Montello for good measure).
Another important change since last year is the limitation on foreign entries. Only 500 foreign riders will be permitted in la Pinarello this year, and this will surely fill up. So to make sure everyone gets the entry they want, please register yourself ASAP. You can visit the la Pinarello site to register on-line, and we will credit your account with $75 as an entry-fee reimbursement.
If you are interested in riding la Pinarello, or another Gran Fondo in Italy, please read our page on Gran Fondos to learn more. Of course, if you’re ready to go, reserve your place now!
2011 la Pinarello Cycling Marathon
Saturday, February 12th, 2011
…aka the Pinarello Gran Fondo. Many of you have been in past years, and done the old course, but as of last year the route has changed. If you were with us in 2010, you saw the new medio fondo route, but for you gluttons for punishment, there is a Gran Fondo route as well. Rather than describe it in detail, I’ll give you these videos from Andrea Pinarello himself riding the course. Beautiful, beautiful scenery. I can’t wait to get back!
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Images of 2010
Friday, January 21st, 2011
Before we get too carried away with 2011 preparations, let’s not forget the season that was 2011. On our new Vimeo channel, there is the first of a few videos to come. OK, I’ll admit that I’m neither the world’s best nor most prolific photographer, but I was able to take enough images to put together a nifty little slideshow. I’ve even included the requisite cheesy Italian pop music; Mondo by Cesare Cremonini – the top Italian song on the Italian charts during our time in Italy.
Velo Veneto 2010 from Velo Veneto on Vimeo.
Stay tuned – there’s more video to come including video from la Pinarello!
Back in the Saddle
Monday, September 20th, 2010
Wow! I am B-A-D bad at keeping this blog updated. If you didn’t check it out over the summer, our Facebook page is much more current and relevant, so I do have a saving grace. This post will serve as a quick update and intro to things coming.
First: This season was AWESOME! We had a very fun and enthusiastic group of riders this year, with old and new faces alike. We tried out a few new things like Prosecco tasting with Ruggeri and routes (Gran Fondo Bob, anyone?), while hitting up the usual suspects too (Mariano’s gelato and the Montello). Unfortunately, the Pinarello Gran Fondo was shortened to the Pinarello Medio Fondo due to weather events and road closures, but a good time was had by all anyway. We kicked it up a notch after the ride to help Tete celebrate her birthday at the Pinarello GF pasta feed with cake from Juan (made by Luca) and grappa from the coffee shop guy!
Second: The expanded variety of restaurants was a big hit this year, as was the prosecco tasting, so next year expect even more time out and about in the Veneto. Don’t worry, riding will still be the priority, but no reason not to sample the food, wine, and sights of the region!
Third: We’ve got a few treats in store for next year, both on and off the bike. But the biggest treat, I’m sure you will all agree, is that our rates are coming down!
So in summary, we had a great, fun 2010, 2011 looks even better, and it’s going to cost you less money – how could we not see you in Castelcucco next year!?!?
For the rest of this week, stay tuned (mostly to Facebook) for updates from Interbike – the biggest cycling industry show of the year!
2010 Giro d’Italia Itinerary
Thursday, November 19th, 2009
We’re very excited to announce our itinerary for the Giro d’Italia trip this coming May. That sounds like a long way away, but it’ll be here before we know it! In addition to the great viewing opportunities of the Giro, we’ll also be enjoying the fantastic riding around the Veneto throughout the week and a grand farewell dinner after the Verona TT. We have 8 spots only available for this trip, so make your reservation now!
Friday, May 21 – Rider Arrival (early morning arrivals will spend the day in Venice while Velo Veneto looks after your bags)
Saturday, May 22 – Stage 14 of the Giro offers a taste of the Dolomites with our own Monte Grappa, and we’ll be there to sample it. After watching the pros suffer up the mountain, we’ll backtrack to Asolo in time to watch the finish.
Sunday, May 23 – The real Dolomites start today, and we’ll be there to witness it. Our morning begins with a drive north into the mountains, and then we spin out on our own ride finishing on the Giro’s final climb of the day, the Zoncolan!
Monday, May 24 – Rest day for the Giro, but we’ll be enjoying the beautiful Prosecco Vineyards ride from our own front door.
Tuesday, May 25 – With a couple of days to gather the data, we’ll know the pro’s times up the Monte Grappa, and today we’ll test ourselves against those times with a TT up the Monte Grappa. After you’ve wrung yourself out, we’ll gather around the common room TV to watch the Giro’s uphill Plan de Corones TT.
Wednesday, May 26 – Having done a fair bit of climbing the past few days, we’ll head south onto the Padovana plain to Castelfranco, stopping at Alessandro Ballan’s local bike shop and pausing in the main piazza for a cappuccino or espresso.
Thursday, May 27 – Hosting the world championships twice since 1985, the Montello is one of the local famed training loops. We’ll head out through the vineyards to tackle the same roads that saw Joop Zoetemelk win a road world championships and Jan Ullrich win a TT crown.
Friday, May 28 – Back into the hills for us today with our own Alpe d’Huez, the 21-hairpin climb of Foza up to the Asiago plateau. A quick traverse leads us to a sweeping descent into the Brenta River valley and back to Castelcucco in time for more Giro coverage!
Saturday, May 29 – Rider’s Choice! One group will head back into the hills, while the other will take a flatter ride. Either way, we’ll be back in time to rejoin in the common room to watch the Giro’s queen stage, including the famous Passo Gavia!
Sunday, May 30 – This morning we’ll head down the road to Verona, site of yet another Oscar Friere World Championships win and the Giro’s culminating TT. We’ll be there early enough to pre-ride the course itself, and wander through the start area as the riders warm-up. Those who want can stay in town to watch the start/finish and/or go sightseeing, while a second group will head out onto the course’s climb, the Torricelle. We will wrap up this great trip with a farewell dinner in a local restaurant.
Monday, May 31 – Sadly, it’s time to return to real life… But the Giro will return to the Veneto again soon!
For more information about Velo Veneto trips, including this Giro d’Italia itinerary, please visit our Reservations page.