Being on an inGamba tour is a unique experience. Not only are you paired with former WorldTour cyclists or riders who are devoted to knowing every single road in the area as your tour guides, you’re followed by a van full of top-notch mechanics and soigneurs ready to fix a flat, raise your saddle, hand you a snack or a full water bottle, or simply snap a photo as you power your way up a climb.
Simply put, you’ll find the best bikes, the best roads, the best food and the best wine on an inGamba tour.
Here’s what you won’t find:
NO: Constant stopping and starting
Some bike tours take all day to ride 20 miles, with nearly constant stops and starts that make it impossible to get into a riding groove. We want you to experience the best roads in the region—while also finishing the ride before dark. While inGamba rides aren’t by nature competitive, they are for people who love the riding itself, not just the scenic vistas and selfies.
There typically is one stop during each ride where cyclists are able to sip an espresso, have some snacks, get bottles refilled and stretch out, but for the rest of the time, expect to be pedaling with minimal stopping.
NO: All-day race pace
While many riders who join an inGamba tour are cyclists who ride regularly at home, the pace isn’t blistering, or too fast to truly enjoy yourself. You’ll work hard throughout the day, but there’s no pressure to hit your max wattage or to be the first rider to the cafe for the mid-ride espresso.
That said—if you want to go for a KOM up a climb, no one is stopping you… although Giorgio may race you!
NO: Need to fix a flat (or anything else)
Bike not shifting right? Think your rear tire is losing air? Put your hand up, pull over, and faster than a NASCAR wheel change, mechanics and soigneurs will sprint out of the van and come over to help you before you can even tell them what’s wrong. Take a drink, have a snack, and in minutes, you’ll be back on the bike… and likely with a serious push to get you going again!
NO: Getting left behind
Often, bike tours splinter into smaller groups, with riders left behind or following a GPS route on their computer on their own. Not the case on an inGamba ride: There are enough guides with each group that you’re never going to be left at the bottom of a climb.
In fact, if you’re in Eros Poli’s group, you may want to be the slowest man up the mountain pass, because he always waits for the last rider—and he has the best stories to tell as you climb!
NO: Running out of water or food
Bottle empty? Raise a hand and the van will pull up beside the peloton. Let your soigneur know if you’d prefer an Enervit sports drink or plain water, and enjoy feeling like a WorldTour rider as he swaps bottles with you. Need an extra gel or a tiny panini? He can hand you that as well. Bonking is a thing of the past.
NO: Getting lost
Not only are the Pinarellos you’re riding the best of the best, the Garmin cycling computers are top of the line—and have the route for the day pre-loaded so that when you roll out, you’re automatically navigating.
NO: Grimy bikes by day 2
Pouring rain and muddy roads on day 1? You won’t be able to tell when you see your bike on day 2. After every ride, the mechanics spend hours meticulously cleaning, lubing and checking over your bike to ensure that it’s practically new the next day. And because the bikes have the best electronic shifting possible courtesy of SRAM, you never have to worry about a chain dropping or a crunchy-sounding derailleur.
NO: Needing something you left at home
While some of the other higher-end bike tours may set up occasional aid stations along the route, inGamba goes a step further and provides not only a follow car with former Pro Tour mechanics, but bags for you to pack all of your extras, from raincoats to different sunglasses to armwarmers to an entire spare kit if you’re someone who prefers a dry change of clothes at a coffee stop.
NO: Having a bad time
It’s almost impossible for someone to have a bad time on an inGamba ride. Even when the weather is at its worst, the adventure is at its best… and bad weather makes for the best stories. You’ll have plenty to talk about at dinner after a wild mid-ride rainy moment. And if you are out on the ride having a really hard time and feeling tired? No problem: If snacks and a dry kit from the van aren’t enough to make you feel better, the option to hop in the van is there or, in some cases, you can even split off and go with a guide on a shortcut home. You’re on this trip to have an incredible time, and the guides take their jobs very seriously.
