”The roads are succulent and bountiful, and the food and wine leave you breathless. The Pinarello bikes are to the highest standard of the purest gourmand. The personalities are rich and bold, yet full of subtle surprises. All is to be savored—and devoured.
Bill StricklandBicycling Magazine
Piedmont with Matt Fischer
September 8th 2024
Dominated by the Alps and riven by deep valleys, Piedmont — meaning ‘at the foot of the mountains’— is renowned for its fine wines and as a champion of the Slow Food movement. Our team has explored this corner of northwest Italy, fanning out from Turin to visit its wine villages and seek out the best places to stay.
Piedmont stretches northeast to the shores of Lake Maggiore and southwest to Provence in France, its hills dotted with medieval villages and family-run vineyards. Although Piedmont isn’t as well known a wine region as Tuscany, it produces some of Italy’s finest labels, such as Barolo and Barbaresco. Regional cuisine is also a highlight. Raw meats, cheese fondues and rabbit feature on local menus, while the smell of hazelnuts and chocolate wafts through the chocolate-producing town of Alba. Piedmont isn’t all rustic allure, though. At its heart is the city of Turin, the first capital of the unified Italy. Renaissance and Baroque architecture, museums and galleries, and gourmet restaurants grace its boulevards and piazzas, while giants of industry ensure that Piedmont remains one of Italy’s most affluent regions.
Included With Trip:
- All lodging*
- All food and beverages**
- Pinarello Dogma F Disk with SRAM RED eTap AXS
- Daily Bike Wash
- Custom Castelli × inGamba cycling kit
- Daily post-ride massage from a professional soigneur
- Laundry service for cycling clothing
*Pre/post-trip lodging is not included
**Beverages ordered by guests beyond normal amounts and away from group activities will incur additional charges
MEET THE GUIDES
MANUEL CARDOSO
The Quiet Crusher
Manuel Cardoso is no longer sitting on the front of the pack, pulling everyone along at what some would describe as a “brisk” pace and what others are unable to describe at all, because they’re too busy gasping for breath and holding onto the wheel in front of them for dear life. Manuel is now sitting just slightly off the back of the pack. As I look back, I realize he has that look on his face. The look which struck fear in the hearts of the Pro Peleton for many years. The look which is part grin, part mischievous child and all business. He is about to start some shenanigans. Sure enough, just a few kilometers later and Manuel has picked one lucky contestant out of the pack and they are sitting-in, waiting, like predators, for the perfect moment. For Manuel, just like when he raced pro, this is when the road turns slightly up, a spot in the road where it gets tough for everyone. And he accelerates with his breakaway “partner” in tow. It is something to see. He ramps it up to a speed with which no one can latch onto the back and with such precision you have to question whether or not you actually want to try and close the gap he has created. And you can’t see it, but you just know, he is grinning from ear-to-ear.
Rui Vinhas
Born in the North of Portugal, Rui has been riding his bike since he was 10. In 2011, he became a professional cyclist and just five years later he won the Tour of Portugal. The following year, in 2017, he was the runner-up in the Portuguese Cycling Championship. His talent and incredible bike skills will be by your side during our trips.
THE TRIP AT A GLANCE
START LOCATION:
Turin
FINISH LOCATION:
Turin
TOTAL ELEVATION:
7,167m
TOTAL DISTANCE:
429km
DAYS RIDING:
6
GROUP SIZE:
8-14
LONGEST DAY:
Day 3
Sampeyre. 100km
BIGGEST CLIMBING DAY:
Day 3
Sampeyre. 2,279m
DAY BY DAY BREAKDOWN
PINARELLO DOGMA F
Seven of the last 11 Tours de France have been conquered on a DOGMA, and the latest generation is now ready to continue that legacy of success. Whatever the road throws at you, the DOGMA F is always the right bike.
WHEELSET:
Zipp 303 S Carbon Tubeless
FRAMESET:
Pinarello Dogma F
COCKPIT:
ZIPP Service Course SL
TIRES:
Vittoria Corsa N.Ext
GRUPPO:
SRAM RED eTap AXS
BOTTLE CAGES:
Elite Custom Race
PEDALS:
Speedplay
BIDON:
Elite Corsa Team
SADDLE:
Prologo
COMPUTER:
Garmin Edge 1030
COLOUR:
InGamba Red
