Day 1: Il Giro di Gavi

23KM / 476m

Arriving mid-day Sunday, the Giro di Gavi ride is a short loop to stretch our legs and dial in our bikes. But already there will be plenty to see. Riding out from the rear entrance of our picturesque, old-world hotel, we are instantly on single-lane roads, ideal for getting to know the group and enjoying the pictureque countryside of this corner of Piedmont. 

Day 2: Valico degli Eremiti

71KM / 1163m

Our second day is not our longest day, but is our biggest climbing day with the Passo dell’Alpino cresting 1,000 meters mid-way through the ride. And while it may not be a daunting Alpine pass, this steady climb offers ample opportunity to test our legs, or simply take in the scenery, depending our one’s own goals and ambitions.
But in many ways the highlight of the day’s ride is the descent through the Valico degli Eremiti, this lush valley with its dramatic views over this southern corner of Piedmont.

Day 3: Museo Coppi

56KM / 866m

With a population of less than 100, it is safe to say that the village of Castellania is no household name. But as the birthplace of a certain Fausto Coppi, it holds a special spot in the heart of cycling fans as he, along with Belgian Eddy Merckx, are the two names most cited in any debate as to who is the greatest cyclist ever. 

The destination of today’s mid-week coffee ride is fittingly to Castellania Coppi, as the town was renamed in 2019 to include Coppi’s name in celebration of the centenial of his birth. Everything in this town points to Coppi, as well as his brother Serse, himself the winner of Paris-Roubaix who died tragically in the Tour of Piedmont in 1951. And no directions are really needed to find their childhood home, which today also serves as a small museum. 

But despite the fact that Castellania Coppi is freqently visited by cycling fans, it remains a modest town. It is so small in fact, that it doesn’t even have a café. Have no fear, however, the inGamba van will be waiting for everyone to ensure a memorable coffee stop in the shadows of Coppi’s home. 

Day 4: Passo del Turchino/Legends Ride

53.1KM / 926m

For years it was the Turchino that decided the race. Constante Girandengo built his six victories between the World Wars on this climb, and it was here where Fausto Coppi surprised his competition with an early attack to win the first post-WWII edition in 1946 in an unforgettable fashion.

For years it was the Turchino that decided the race. Constante Girandengo built his six victories between the World Wars, and it was here where Fausto Coppi surprised his competition with an early attack to win the first post-WWII edition in 1946 in an unforgettable fashion. 

And if that was not enough to make a ride memorable, the descent will leave a lasting impression. Newly repaved, you can truly enjoy this sinuous descent as the Mediterranean Sea darts in and out of view. We then finish the ride, much like the race, skirting our way along the spectacular coastline, before our lunch stop in a hand-picked old-world restaurant on the beach. 

Day 5: Capo Berta, Cipressa and Poggio

73KM / 891m

The Italian Riviera will be the highlight today’s ride, from the coastal roads to the peaks of its many climbs. On our penultimate ride we roll out of San Remo along the old train line that now serves as a bike path, until we reach the foot of the Capo Berto, the first of the three final climbs of Milan-San Remo. 

It is here where the pack accelerates into what will soon be and all-out frenzy, splintering apart over each one of these three capi, or climbs, as they are called. 

The Cipressa is arguably the most beautiful of the three climbs, but really everyone is waiting for the Poggio. Ironically, the modern GPS is easily confused because the word “poggio” is the generic term for a climb in Italian and there are simply countless locations that use the name. 

Riding up its moderate pitches you will soon understand why gearing and positioning is so key on this climb. But unlike the cyclists on race day, you will also have ample opportunitity to take in the spectacular views, not to mention some of the murals and graffiti that line this road and honor the races and racers of years gone by. 

Day 6: San Romolo Coffee Ride

It’s race day and the highlight of course will be watching Milan-San Remo from our prime VIP space at the finish line. But with nearly 300 kilometers in front of them, it will take the peloton plenty of time to make their way to the historic resort town of San Remo.. As a result, there is ample opportunity for one last ride. 

Our San Romolo loop takes us deep into the back hills that stretch along the Mediterranean Coast from Italy into Monaco and France. It is here where countless professionals come to train, and while the overall altitude does not match the nearby Alps, the pitches can often be daunting. The sinuous roads here are as beautiful as they are technical, as hilltop villages and the Mediterranean Sea skirt in and out of sight. Fittingly our coffee stop will be in San Romolo, one of those picturesque hilltop villages. 

Coffee will be followed by a spectacular descent back to San Remo, where we will soon be waiting in anticipation for the finish of La Primavera, a race that is truly like no other. 

DEPARTURE

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.