RCT FAMOUS CLIMBS OF ITALY CYCLING TRIP
2012 ITINERARY

Day 1: Monday, June 25th

We arrive at Zurich Airport to begin our adventure in the Italian Alps. Our team will meet you at Zurich airport, load your bikes and luggage, and drive you to our chalet in Livigno, Italy. The rest of the day is yours to take in the beautiful scenery and explore the village complex where you'll be staying fo the next week. We will enjoy a welcome dinner together in the centrally located "Grand Chalet". Our staff will help you assemble your bike and have you ready to go for your first morning ride on the wild side! (D)

Day 2: Tuesday, June 26th

We ride out from Livigno over the Passo D'Eira (7km @ 6%) and the Passo di Foscagno (4.6km @ 6%), in the direction of Bormio. After lunch in Valdidentro, we turn and head into the Stelvio National Park, up the Torri di Fraele (9km @ 8%) towards the two ancient towers looming high above you. After admiring the view from the towers of the spectacular hairpin bends you just climbed (see below!), we'll descend to Arnoga and head back to Livigno. We will spend the evening enjoying some great local wine and a wonderful dinner. (=75km)(B)(D)

Day 3: Wednesday, June 27th

We bike out towards the Lago del Gallo this morning and cross over the border into Switzerland (bring your passports!). First up is the Passo del Fuorn (9.5km @ 5%), which spills down the valley to Santa Maria Val Mustair, our lunch stop. From Santa Maria, we get into the meat and potatoes of our day: the Umbrail Pass (13km @ 8.5%), a stunner of a climb in every way. From the top, you will get a preview of Day 6 on our ride itinerary: the hairpins of the Stilfser Joch Pass on the Stelvio climb. For now, we descend back down to Bormio for a quick coffee and the ride home to Livigno. (=110km) (B)(D)

Day 4: Thursday, June 28th

Today we ride out from our chalet over the Forcola di Livigno pass (12km @ 4%) to the Passo di Bernina (3.5km @ 9%), and then take the northern route to the gorgeous Albula Pass (9.5km @ 6.6%). This beautiful road wends it way up the valley past ancient aqueducts and picture-postcard Swiss villages. We'll have lunch in Tiefencastel, then continue on our loop over the Julier Pass (39km @ 4%) to St. Moritz. After a look around this famous ski village, we'll sag back to Livigno and a well-deserved soak in the jacuzzi! (=137km)(B)(D)

Day 5: Friday, June 29th

This morning, we sag you out to Grosio, where you'll get a warm-up on flat roads over to Mazzo di Valtellina before heading up (straight up!) the legendary Mortirolo climb (12km @ 10.5%). According to many professional cyclists, this is considered to be the toughest mountain climb in Italy! We descend off the Mortirolo and gradually climb to the typical italian town of Ponte di Legno, where we'll stop for lunch. The Gavia Pass (17km @ 8%) comes next on our list of conquests, and also happens to be one of the most beautiful passes in the Alps. The views across the valley are absolutely stunning. We descend back into Bormio and depending on time and will(leg!)power, either sag or ride back to Livigno. (=83km to Bormio, 121km back to Livigno)(B)(D)

Day 6: Saturday, June 30th

The day you've all been waiting for: the mighty Stelvio. After a quick sag out to Bormio, you'll warm up riding the south side of the Stelvio Pass, past the Swiss border and the already-conquered Umbrail Pass, and on to the top of the Stilfser Joch Pass (21km @ 7%). This is it - the highest pass in Italy, at 2500m! We descend the terrifyingly tight hairpins of the north side to the village of Prato, where we'll warm up with a hearty bowl of soup. When mentally prepared, we'll head out once more to conquer the 48 hairpins of the north side (24km @ 7%), considered one of the "finest continuous hairpin sectors in the Alps" (see photo above!). We'll enjoy the descent back to Bormio, and then sag home. Cross your fingers for good weather! (=93km)(B)(D)

Day 7: Sunday, July 1st

For our last day in the italian Alps, we'll sag down to the beautiful town of Poschiavo and start riding around the Lago di Poschiavo to Tirano. We head up into the mountains above Tirano to the famous town of Aprica (13km @ 6%), which is on the Giro route for 2012. We head back down to the Adda river, and then climb out of the valley on the north side to the ski village of Prato Valentino, a beauty of a climb (16km @ 8.2%). We ride back to Tirano through gorgeous Italian countryside filled with hilltop cathedrals and abandoned fortresses, and either sag or ride home to Livigno. (=86km to Tirano)(B)(D)

Day 8: Monday, July 2nd

After breakfast this morning, we depart for Zurich airport, bidding you farewell and a good trip home. (B)