Map of Giro Climbs? / Where to go in north Italy?

timmyflash

Is there a map of Giro climbs / routes in northern Italy?

Planning on going to Verona region (well, depending on where a cluster of decent routes and climbs are - but liking sound of northern Italy) for some training and a little holiday at the end of May (Marmotte training).

Not necesarily a training camp, more likely a nice area where i can go off on different routes and the lady can mooch about seeing culture type stuff.

Suggestions appreciated.

PieterM

Arabba is about as central as it gets in the Dolomites. All the biggies at your doorstep. Magnificent scenery. Caprile is an alternative if you'd prefer to be on a lake.

Ron Stuart

Save yourself some money next year and do this.... http://www.maratona.it/info/courses-2011/en
It's snow still in May in the high alps/Dolomites so best to try a training week in the Monchique mountains in the Algarve, cheaper, sunnier and very warm so you don't need a support car with winter clothing for the descents.

Try this ...... http://burgauvilla.com/ 8)

SpiCan

I'm working in Venice a lot and manage to get out on the bike a bit. North of Treviso there is some nice stuff but beware the climbs can be long a steep. 15% to 20%.

http://www.marcatour.it/index.php

Andrea Pinarello's choice.

I did Mt Grappa from Venice last year 200 Km 2000 Mt up.

The route of Prosecco is nice but dont stop to drink the stuff

timmyflash

SpiCan wrote:

I'm working in Venice a lot and manage to get out on the bike a bit. North of Treviso there is some nice stuff but beware the climbs can be long a steep. 15% to 20%.

http://www.marcatour.it/index.php

Andrea Pinarello's choice.

I did Mt Grappa from Venice last year 200 Km 2000 Mt up.

The route of Prosecco is nice but dont stop to drink the stuff

That could be just the ticket. Thanks. Essentially i want to base myself in an area that i can go out on some hilly training rides on, is nice to spud out in and for the lady to poke around in when i'm out on the bike. Was looking around the lakes, but looked quite touristy. Hmm

SpiCan

Asolo, Valdobbiadene, Mont Grappa and I’m sure a lot more stuff more north.
Went to the Pinarello shop in Treviso and had Giovanni poking my Spi Roubaix with his walking stick.
Then he took my pulse and said I was OK. Probably meant OK to buy a Pinarello, I did get a nice Jersy.
With the Misses you could do a day in Venice.

http://bicyclerenaissance.com/page.cfm?pageID=198

timmyflash

Constantly evolving... now looking like a driving tour of the northern lakes, with me going off in the mornings / early afternoon to cycle and the lady siteseeing.

Sound fair or will this actually turn out terrible? e.g. there are hardly any roads that go up into the hills around there.

PieterM

The Italian lakes are a great region for cycling. We have run several trips there and will run another one starting and finishing at Lake Como this summer. The shore roads can be busy and some have long dangerous tunnels but once you get into the mountains you'll get superb views and very little traffic in general.

timmyflash

PieterM wrote:

The Italian lakes are a great region for cycling. We have run several trips there and will run another one starting and finishing at Lake Como this summer. The shore roads can be busy and some have long dangerous tunnels but once you get into the mountains you'll get superb views and very little traffic in general.

Confirmation enough for me!

I hate / love looking for places to go. I know i can go back, but always wary of booking a dud.

Will need to plan it around the Giro too, so can avoid it mostly, but also to see if i can catch one of the days. Be awesome.

airwise

If you are doing the lakes, Como is the better bet. I find Lake Garda to be both busy and geared towards off road adventures. Como is also close enough to the Swiss border to look at riding the Gottard and the Mendrisio world's course.

And if you are there for the Giro do everything you can to drive over to Susa (about 4 hours) to watch the stage up the Finestre - it will be remarkable.

SpiCan

The giro
http://www.climbbybike.com/fr/course.asp?Race=Giro2011

timmyflash

Excellent - cheers all, great bits and pieces. looking forward to this.

Am planning touring, so maybe stay a day or two in three places or so.

Will see if i can get to the Finestre. Possibly a bit far though.

CumbrianMan

Another alternative is the Sondrio region in Lombardy.
We're going to Bormio, where we ride the Mortirolo, Gavia, mighty Stelvio (48 hairpins), d'Eira, Foscagno, Livigno and Bernina passes .
Plus for your good lady, the resort of Livigno is 'duty free', so she'll enjoy blowing your hard-earned wedge

andyrr

Garda is the only area in the Italian Lakes region I;ve been to but I'd agree it is pretty touristy lake-side but I love it. I've stayed at Malcesine (mid-East side, Torbole (North East tip) and most recently Pesciara.
I've a CW issue with a ride at the SW of the lake : foudn it on-line
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/routes/o ... qvist.html

I've ridden that area from Pesciera base (not the nicest IMHO) as well as the NE NW (preferred that).
Some good quieter roads I found, as I headed towards Trento (big'ish roads) then branched off for some seriously hard and spectacular climbs, particularly the NE side. Passo Folgaria NE of Torbole (where Cadel Evans cracked big-style when in Pink for Saeco I think) is one I'd love to return to.
An early ride on the lake road would be a nice easy run.
I think that trying to ride around the lake could well involve some dodgy tunnels on the West side.

It is popular with people on here so you should get plenty opinions, possibility of road bike hire if you want that.

rhnb

Have done a couple of great weeks in Italy with my 'good bike' (ie no panniers!)

Had a great time on both of them. Some pics etc here...

Based in Bormio (Mortirolo, Stelvio, Gavia, Foscagno etc)...
http://www.bikeit.eclipse.co.uk/bormio2008/index.htm

Based in Arabba (Dolomites) (Pordoi, Sella, Gardena, Campolongo, Fedaia, Giau, Falzarego, Valparola, Duran, Staulanza, Tre Croci, Tre Cime de Lavaredo) ...
http://www.bikeit.eclipse.co.uk/dolomites2009/index.htm

I'd recommend either of those.

Cheeers... Allan.