Discover the Dolomites Tour 7-14 Sept

Sat Sept 7: Arrival Day

Arrive in Innsbruck. We will pick you up from the airport or from the train station (if your flight arrives at Munich). Transfer to the hotel in Stubaï; set-up the bikes and, if time permits, a short check-out ride on part of the Innsbruck World Championship course.

Stage 1: Stubai to Bolzano 109km | 2,120m

Our destination is the wonderful Magdalener Hof hotel in Bolzano, but first we have some climbing to do. After a gentle warm-up on the 30km climb to the Brenner we make an easy descent to Vipiteno, where the real work starts. The challenge of the day is called Passo Pennes, a classic of the Giro d’Italia. The first of many beautiful climbs to come, the initial 2km are the hardest!

Stage 2: Passo Sella, Passo Costalunga 119km | 3,170m

Starting and finishing in Bolzano, this stunning ride starts with almost 60km of climbing to reach the Passo Sella. The first 25km are on a cycle track by the river. From Ponte Gardena we take a quiet road to Ortisei and then follow the iconic route to the Sella. There’s a wonderful descent to Canazei, followed by the relatively easy climb to the Costalunga and the final 30km descending back to Bolzano. You have truly earned your dinner tonight!

Stage 3: The Mendelkamm 89km | 2,200m

This is another beautiful ride on quiet roads over classic climbs. We cross the valley on cycle paths before beginning the 15km climb to the Passo Mendola. This is high above the valley and affords the most incredible views over the Bolzano basin and the Dolomites. Down the other side to Fondo, from where we climb to the Passo delle Palade (Gampenjoch). There is an exhilarating 20km descent to the valley floor before a flat ride back through the apple orchards to Bolzano.

Stage 4: Passo delle Erbe 129km | 2,610m

The first 40km up the valley to Bressanone follow the river on a quiet cycle track. We then turn off for the long haul to the Passo delle Erbe, some 1,300m higher up. This climb was used for the Time Trial in the Haute Route Dolomites 2017. It is a beautiful road with little traffic. After the pass we loop round the back of the mountain for a swooping, high-speed descent back down to Bressanone. The 40km false-flat descent back down the valley to Bolzano will pass quickly, dreaming about cakes and massage back at the hotel!

Stage 5: Passo Stelvio 85km | 3,030m

We start the climb to the Stelvio in Prato. This is the side most often photographed. The innumerable descending hairpins seem to have been thrown carelessly across the mountainside like spaghetti, and the view from the top is breath-taking. It is a long, hard climb, as befits such a legendary giant. After a well-earned coffee at the top we cross briefly into Switzerland as we go over the Passo dell’Umbrail. We re-enter Italy during the descent to the valley floor, and finally cross another border to spend the night at Nauders, in Austria.

Stage 6: the Kaunertal Glacier 127km | 2,430m

After a short climb out of Nauders we descend into Switzerland and follow the beautiful gorge and valley of the Upperintal. We cross back into Austria for a fast false-flat descent to Prutz, where we turn off and begin the final climb, but not the least! The road to the Kaunertal Glacier is very quiet and the scenery is stunning. It is a fitting way to finish the week. The first 20km or so to the dam are easy, but the last 10km are anything but, with an average gradient of 10% and pitches of up to 18%! After reaching the glacier we descend to Landeck, from where we will take a train back to Stubaï.

Sat Sept 14: Departure day

Time to pack the bikes and leave for home. We will take you either to the airport or the train station.

Hotel Magdalener Hof, Bolzano

We will spend 4 nights at the Hotel Magdalener Hof, which is ideally situated in the vineyards, just a couple of kilometres from the historic city centre of Bolzano. There are beautiful views on the surrounding mountains. The Magdalener Hof is a family-run 3* hotel in the best traditions of the Tyrol, and the hotel is rated “Fabulous” (89%) on Booking.com in over 800 reviews. The deluxe rooms and suites are delightful, with stylish untreated oak wood floors and charcoal coloured stone flooring in the bathrooms. Many of them have a balcony overlooking the gardens. The restaurant provides great food, sourced locally, with plenty of variety and everything a hungry cyclist could ask for.

First and last nights in Stubaï

We will spend the first and last nights at the charming Pension Bruggerhof, in Stubai. It is a perfect place to relax and enjoy the wonderful local food.

Apologies for the delay since our return, but I just wanted to pass on to you a huge thank you for our recent Alpine week cycling – we both think of it as one of our best holidays/trips we’ve done for many years! A tremendously well organised and enjoyable ride, which I would gladly recommend to anyone. I just wish I’d had the sense to take a few additional days recovery on the French Riviera instead of flying straight home and turning to work!
(Jonathan, UK)

Thank you so much for a fantastic week. I truly enjoyed myself every single day. Despite the fact that I was overly defensive descending, I feel as though I learned a lot and gained confidence by the end of the week. Although I have been riding for years, I never had any type of instruction or guidance previously. On my first ride back today, I could feel a difference in descending and ascending. The week did wonders for me. I loved cycling prior to the trip, but love it even more now. You all did a first rate job organizing and planning for all of us. (David, USA)

Thank you and your team for such a great training camp. I have improved my fitness, descending skills, had great food and overall a very good experience. I really wish you can expend your training camp programs because you certainly deserve to. (Alvi, Turkey)

The camp was great. the coaching really paid off for me. Backing off early in the climbs and just keeping a consistent power output got me up the climbs faster and fresher. my descending is much improved and much more fun. I think in some ways, the best things you do, or at least the least obvious, is just teaching people how to manage their energy and recovery, on and off the bike. Riding with Stephane was a privilege. his ability to assess our ability and ride with us right on the edge of what were capable of without going over was amazing and definitely made a big difference. (Ted, USA)

PACKAGE PRICES

From Sat 7 Sept to Sat 14 Sept

• Twin-share: €3,300
• Single supplement:      €315

INCLUDED IN YOUR PACKAGE

• Airport transfers (to and from Innsbruck, at a fixed time only)
• Accommodation and meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
• On-the-bike coaching (and guiding)
• Use of an InfoCrank® power meter, free of charge, from Jun 15th to Sep 14th.
• On-the-road support vehicle with free energy drinks and snacks
• Mechanical assistance
• Coach’s Corner evening sessions on cycling performance
• Photographs taken during the week (digital copies)

NOT INCLUDED

• Travel to/from Innsbruck
• Bicycle hire
• Minibar or drinks at the hotel bar
• Coffee or snacks during café stops
• Massage (optional extra)