DISCOVER ABRUZZO
Difficulty : 4
Just one hour East of Roma, Abruzzo offers some of the most exciting riding you can find anywhere in Italy: four National Parks, memorable climbs and descents, a green belt of sweet hills dotted by olive trees, a network of enchanting backroads devoid of traffic, renaissance villages lost in the wilderness. The Appennini, the mountain backbone of the Peninsula, here display the highest peaks with a couple of roads peaking over 2000mts. Family size farming guarantees fresh and organic ingredients to the sumptuous cuisine. You will love the warm hospitality and the generous taste of the Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. 

DATES 2009:
May 23 - June 2 (includes Giro d'Italia stage)
June 25 - July 5

PRICE:
Eur 1250 (reserving before Jan 31)
Eur 1400 (after Jan 31)

DEPOSIT: Eur 500

INCLUDES:
10 Nights in double room w/bath in Agriturismo or 3 stars Hotel
10 breakfasts and dinners
Single suppl.: Eur 250

Van transfer to/from Roma Airport: Eur 50 pp/each way 

Support:
one cycling guide and one van with driver

Bike cases have to be stored at left luggage

Bikes for rent :Eur 150

In Abruzzo we can organize custom tours, guided or self guided, for groups of at least 5 participants. 
For short and easy tours check:

 ABRUZZO SPECIALS:
Often, during our Abruzzo tour, the GIRO D'ITALIA route crosses our own. When this happens we like to share the excitement of a Giro's stage arrival with you. So a few changes can be made to the schedule in order to meet the date. 
If your group feels the itch for a bit  of competition or just to be part of a great cycling feast we can include in your custom tour the participation in a Gran Fondo.  GRAN FONDO races are very common in Abruzzo. During those events only an handful of riders battles for elite placing. The rest of the field, several hundreds men and women of different ages and abilities, are in only for the fun of it. For training purposes the Gran Fondos are participated also by pro racers.

Van will be ready to pick you up at Rome Airport (optional service) and take you to our first  Agriturismo, one mile from the beaches of Silvi Marina. On this first day recover from jet lag: visit former pro Rabottini bike shop, swim&sunbath at Cerrano Beach, stretch your legs on an easy ride or just hang around, sipping wine under olive trees, smelling dinner preparation in pure relaxation.
The first half of 1st stage (68k) it's a warm up ride along the Adriatic coast. We move inland at Tollo and roll, among vineyards and olive trees, on the gentle hills to Orsogna and Guardiagrele (570 mts), a major center for a variety of crafts. It's market day and we can walk thru the vendor stalls before lunching in one of the fine restaurants in town. In the afternoon we cover the remaining miles to our Agriturismo. A stone mansion in the wheat fields at the foot of Maiella Mountains. from this high plateau  we enjoy a spectacular view ranging from the mountains to the sea. Our host is a dedicated producer of organic traditional foods. 
In the 2nd stage we taste the first long climbs. The first one in 10k takes us to Roccascalegna with his remarkable rock. After descending to the Lago di Bomba we tackle the short but deadly hill to the village. A long descent into Villa S.Maria, world famous for its culinary Academy gets us to the first real mountain of our trip. We summit at Montenerodomo (1160mt) after 16k of continuous climb. Lunch break at the pre-roman ruins of Iuvanum and a 25k downhill takes us home. On the way to our Agriturismo we stop at a small farm, producer and exporter of precious olive oil.
In the 3rd stage (107k) we steadily climb for the first half but grades are seldom prohibitive. Clung to the eastern, rocky side of Maiella mountain, our road crosses Fara San Martino, home of Pasta De Cecco, Lama dei Peligni, Palena here few steep sections in the woods before emerging on the highland of Pescocostanzo (1300mt), the remarkable Renaissance village where we stop for lunch. We resume our ride with a 20k descent into Sulmona. Then, at Anversa, coming out a stone bored tunnel, we start a gentle rise in the canyon of Sagittario river. You'll be scared to learn that our Agriturismo is that eagle nest over there...
The 4th stage is entirely set in the Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo, the oldest natural Park established in Italy. We follow the Sagittario river till the Lago di Scanno. The village is a gem of Renaissance architecture and it is famed for traditional jewelry and lacing. Up we go on the easy grades of Passo Godi (1600mt) and down the unending descent to Lago di Barrea. Lunch stop is in Pescasseroli, major center of the Park. Another couple of reasonable climbs, always rewarded by long descents, before catching sight of Castrovalva (920 mts), our eagle nest.
The 5th stage goes north up the Valle dell'Aterno, the longest river in Abruzzo, The terrain is almost flat, ideal for drafting. Along the valley we dash thru medieval villages and open greenery. Regroup in L'Aquila for lunch and a visit to a good bike shop. In the afternoon we resume our trip up the Aterno River till its springs in Montereale (900 mts) where our Agriturismo is set. The warm hospitality and great cooking skills of our hosts will make of this Agriturismo one of your favourites.
Compared to other ones, the 6th stage  it's an easy task. Just a warm up climb in the morning dew across the woods to get to the high, open pastures of Parco della Laga. We circle the Lago di Campotosto (1420mt above sea level). We circle Abruzzo's largest reservoir and descend to Amatrice (950 mts). Here Pasta all'Amatriciana was invented so a stop at a good trattoria is a must. Our Agriturismo is a pleasant 1hr ride always in the shade of the oaks forest.
The 7th stage takes us across the Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso, the most important mountain range of the Appennini. We start climbing right away in the scented woods. The mountain starts slowly unveiling as we reach the first pass of the day Monte S.Franco (1450mts), then a 15k descent and back to rise up to the 1800mt of Montecristo. Now we are up the wild and bare landscape of Campo Imperatore, spectacular set of many movie productions. A breathless view and not only for the climb! An optional detour (20k r/t) is available to reach the top of Gran Sasso, that is, at 2200 mts, the highest paved road in the Appennini. On the long way down we admire the towered villages of S.Stefano di Sessanio and Calascio. Here we stop for a well deserved lunch in the medieval rock (1600 mts). The area is famous for saffron, truffles and organic wheats (farro) so more temptations wait for us in the restaurant of our hotel.
The 8th and last stage takes place in the Parco of Velino - Sirente mountains. We cross the renaissance village of Fontecchio. Then, after a few up and downs, at Secinaro the roads starts the ascent to the highland of the Sirente, where eagles are a common view. When we reach Rocca di Mezzo (1340mt) we can toast to the end of our fatigues. Castles and monasteries perched on high rocks will watch us on the long diving into L'Aquila, Abruzzo's capital. For the evening a stroll along stone paved alleys, another succulent dinner and a bit of nightlife.
The van transfer to Roma Airport (optional) is available in the next morning (travel time 100 minutes).

ASSOCIAZIONE ABCYCLE
38, Via Brecciano
65013 Città S.Angelo (PE)
Abruzzo, Italia

tel/fax: Italia 085 969410
abcycle@virgilio.it