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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
15 Sep 2024
21 Sep 2024

Chianti Classico with Jim Smyrl

$6,850
Lead Guide:

Eros Poli

This is our classic Tuscany trip, the culmination of all our local knowledge and a perfect expression of the Mangia, Beve, Bici experience. Back when he was still a professional cyclist, our founder, João Correia, sat outside the cafe that now faces our pristine service course, dreaming of sharing this incredible place with like-minded travelers. He knew that Tuscany’s unique blend of cuisine, culture and beautiful landscapes would resonate with other cyclists, and so inGamba was born.

Riding in Chianti is characterized by sweeping panoramas, winding ribbons of perfect tarmac, challenging climbs and thrilling descents. You can spend hours here without coming across other road users, and when you do, the locals are always friendly. In fact, it’s the people who give the place a lot of its charm, and over the course of your stay with us you’ll see why as you get to meet local artisans and culinary masters, all eager to give you a taste. We know every inch of the place like the back of our hands and we promise that if you join us there, you’re in for an unforgettable adventure.

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

EROS POLI

THE CHAMPION

The night before Eros Poli took victory atop Mont Ventoux he couldn’t sleep. It was not like he was dreaming of victory or even had the slightest idea the next day’s stage would change his life forever. It was just that it was hot. Unbearably, unsleepably hot in his less-than stellar French hotel. His roommate had taken his mattress off the bed and was sleeping on the small balcony outside their room. And the man who would shortly become known as Monsieur Ventoux was watching football, Italy vs. Brazil in the World Cup final, to be exact. Italy lost. The following morning as Eros dragged his weary, tired legs out of bed and down the stairs, as there was no lift, James Brown came into his head. “I feel good, I knew that I would now,” started to repeat over and over in his head. As it would the rest of the day. He felt good and the rest, as they say, is history.

Sancho

Sancho da Cruz

The late bloomer

Sancho had a late start to cycling, but he has been very passionate about bikes ever since. His love for the sport even made him change career paths to race professionally — until, oh, the pandemic. Covid saw him go back to school; he became one of our guides after interviewing João for his masters final thesis on Active Tourism. Today, he is more than happy to share his passion for the sport with you, helping you on and off the bike, whether your goal is to go full gas or simply take it easy and make the most of the scenery.

THE TRIP AT A GLANCE

START LOCATION:

Florence

FINISH LOCATION:

Florence

TOTAL ELEVATION:

6,890m

TOTAL DISTANCE:

365km

DAYS RIDING:

6

GROUP SIZE:

8-14

LONGEST DAY:

Day 6 – 84km
Crete Senesi

BIGGEST CLIMBING DAY:

Day 3 – 1,778m
Dudda

View Bike Options

DAY BY DAY BREAKDOWN

1

IL GIRO DEL BARONE

Sunday | 26km & 404m

Benvenuti in Italia! Our first ride is an easy spin to shake off the cobwebs, but it’s also very pretty, heading south through the quiet Chianti countryside until San Giusto Alle Monache. There, we’ll loop back north, passing the stunning Castello di Brolio on the hill above San Regolo and finishing on our home climb up to Lecchi. This is the time to make sure everything with your bike is perfect – if something’s not quite right, let a mechanic or a guide know and we’ll be sure to fix it before the tough riding begins.

2

CASTELLINA

Monday | 61km & 1,102m

This morning we will climb toward the town of Radda before turning to Castellina. The earliest definition – in 1716 – of the wine area of Chianti, Lega del Chianti, is the region we explore on today’s ride. This will be a day of truly incredible views from the bike, especially after our left turn in the town of Colombaio at 35km, where the roads open up to provide plenty of quintessentially Tuscan views.

3

DUDDA

Tuesday | 79km & 1,778m
Although this region is always hilly, today’s ride includes more sustained climbing. After reaching the town of Panzano, we’ll start to really climb, rolling on some tiny roads with great views to the north towards Florence. After the summit, our Cima Coppi of the week, there’s a long, technical descent out of Albola that will test even the most-experienced riders. Don’t forget to enjoy the scenery.
4

MONTELUCO COFFEE RIDE

Wednesday | 44.9km & 1,032m

This is a relaxed route, inspired by the traditional coffee shop ride taken by inGamba’s founder, João Correia, when he was a pro racer, living and training in Tuscany. Expect gentle rolling hills and plenty of time for on-the-bike conversation as we make our way up to the castle of Monteluco di Lecchi. From this medieval fortress that dates back to 1176, you can see the whole Massellone Valley.

5

SIENA E MONTERIGGIONI

Thursday | 72.2km & 1,312m

This loop will take us to the town of Siena. Siena is one of the most ancient cities of Italy, virtually on a par with the proud Rome, Florence or Venice. In Medieval times Siena, at one point, became the most powerful banking city on the continent.

6

CRETE SENESI

Friday | 84km & 1,260m
Today’s ride will take you south toward the town of Montalcino where the rolling Tuscan clay-colored views of postcards will be in full effect. This is the Crete Senesi, a region known for its production of white truffles. The highlight of our ride is the ridge south of Arbia.
7

DEPARTURE

Saturday
This is our final morning together and after a leisurely breakfast, it will be time to say goodbye, or at least arrivederci, until we meet again. Transfers to the airport will be arranged by our hard-working crew but if you’re planning on staying a few extra days, let us know if we can help with reservations or a few recommendations.

STAYING LONGER?

Adventure Continues…
Do you plan to come a few days early, or stay on after your inGamba adventure has ended? Our concierge can help you plan with a carefully curated selection of hotels, restaurants, bars, and guides. All of our recommendations have been hand-picked by a team of local experts, so you can spend more time enjoying all that this destination has to offer.

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

The NYTRO GRAVEL has a pure road racer DNA which upon launch marked an era in the E-BIKE/GRAVEL world. Featuring an iconic design, the Nytro Gravel is perfect for anyone looking for a road bike with powerful support for the toughest climbs.

WHEELSET:

Zipp 303 S Carbon Tubeless

FRAMESET:

Nytro Gravel E-Bike
(available for an additional fee)

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:

Saturn Silver

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