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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
30 Jun 2024
6 Jul 2024

The Lakes & Great Climbs of Italy July 2024

$8,950
Lead Guide:

Eros Poli

Have you ever wanted to test yourself against the most famous mountains in Italy? Climbs like the Gavia, the Stelvio, and the Mortirolo have made cycling history and are the reason that most cycling aficionados consider the Giro d’Italia to be the world’s most beautiful race.

This part of Italy is home to some of the best roads anywhere in the world, many of which run straight up against the crystal clear waters of Lake Garda, Lake Idro and Lake Iseo. It’s also renowned for its food and wine, so there will be plenty to look forward to after each unforgettable day in the saddle.

We’ll take on all the famous ascents and also introduce you to some hidden gems, climbs that are reserved for those in the know. You’ll need your mountain legs for this trip, but don’t let the altitude intimidate you. We pride ourselves on having the best team of guides and mechanics in the business, so you can ride comfortably at your own pace, knowing that there will always be someone right beside you with encouragement and advice, whenever you need it.

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.

team rider image

Paulo Crispim

Paulo began mountain biking at the early age of 16, and soon his love for bicycles, road cycling, and mechanics were there. Almost a decade later, he decided to take the risk and become a bicycle mechanic, but he never stopped participating in granfondos and amateur races. He joined inGamba as a mechanic in 2019 and now he is also one of our guides.

THE TRIP AT A GLANCE

START LOCATION:

Verona

FINISH LOCATION:

Milan

TOTAL ELEVATION:

9,124m

TOTAL DISTANCE:

379km

DAYS RIDING:

6

GROUP SIZE:

8-14

LONGEST DAY:

Day 3 – 92km
Val Vestino – Lake Iseo

BIGGEST CLIMBING DAY:

Day 3 – 2,208m
Val Vestino – Lake Iseo

View Bike Options

DAY BY DAY BREAKDOWN

1

MARCIAGA

Sunday | 40km & 521m

Benvenuti in Italia! There’s no such thing as a flat ride on this trip, but this route is a gentle introduction to the area, which should give you plenty of time to shake out those legs and make sure your bike is perfect. If something isn’t quite right, this is the day to dial it in with your mechanic. From the east, the climb to the summit of Marciaga, overlooking Lake Garda, is relatively easy, and is followed by an exciting descent to the waterfront.

2

LUMINI

Monday | 62.5km & 1,037m

The largest lake in the country, Lake Garda is a perennial favorite of the rich and famous, who have flocked here since Roman times for the incredible views, calm waters and perfect climate. Our ride will begin with a rolling path at the beginning to the feet of the Lumini climb. A heart pounding descent to the lake.

3

VAL VESTINO – LAKE ISEO

Tuesday | 92km & 2,208m
Our ride will start with a short 20 minute drive to Torri del Benaco and a ferry to the western side of Lake Garda before saying goodbye, and climbing over the ridge to the west. In all, there are three major climbs today and none of them are particularly easy. Our first and biggest climb and descent brings us to Lake Idro, the highest sub alpine lake in Trentino. The Araba Fenice Hotel, our destination for the evening on the eastern shore of Lake Iseo is the perfect place to relax.
4

ISEO LOOP

Wednesday | 76km & 1,516m
According to poplar legend, Leonardo da Vinci stayed on the shores of Lake Iseo between 1499 and 1500. Some art critics argue that part of the background of his most famous painting, the Mona Lisa, portrays the mountains that surround the lake. Hopefully we’ll find our own inspiration as we explore them by bike!
5

PASSO GAVIA

Thursday | 59.3km & 1,937m
Today is a big day, as we climb one of the most legendary peaks in all of cycling. The famous photo of Andy Hampsten riding in ski goggles en route to his Giro d’Italia win in 1988 is a testament to the grinta required to tackle such a formidable climb. The entire ascent is 20km – not including the lead up to the base along the valley floor, which gains 700m before the real climb starts – and gains 1,350m, bringing us to an elevation of 2,620m at the summit, where we’ll stop for a well-earned panino.
6

PASSO DELL'UMBRAIL & PASSO DELLO STELVIO

Friday | 48.5km & 1,905m
This is our Queen Stage. It’s less than 50 kilometers long – but comes with almost 3,000 meters of climbing. We’ll have a 2km warm up through the center of Bormio before beginning our ascent of the infamous Passo dello Stelvio. On our first ascent from the west we actually don’t quite reach the summit, but take a left turn to Switzerland and the descent of Passo dell’Umbrail. Then it’s up again for the full ascent of the Stelvio from the east, 24km long and climbing 1,800m to the summit, the highest paved road in Italy.
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

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