| DISCOVER
ABRUZZO
DATES 2010:
Apr 23 - May 1
PRICE Guided tour
(min 4 - max 10 people):
Eur 1100 (reserving before Jan 31)
Eur 1250 (after Jan 31)
DEPOSIT:
Eur 500
INCLUDES:
- 8 Nights in
double room w/bath in Agriturismo or 3 stars Hotel
- 8 breakfasts and dinners
Support:
one cycling
guide and one support van
NOT INCLUDES:
- Single suppl.: Eur 200
- Van transfer to/from Roma Airport: Eur
50 pp/each
way
- Bike cases have to be
stored at left luggage
- Admission
to museums or wherever else a ticket is required it is not included in the
tour price
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
EASY
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
Fondo are participated also by pro racers.
|
Our van
will be ready to pick you up at Rome Airport (optional service)
and take you to our first Agriturismo in the hills just
outside Loreto Aprutino. Time permitting you can visit former pro Rabottini bike
shop, swim&sunbath at Cerrano
Beach or just hang around,
sipping wine under olive trees, smelling dinner preparation in pure
relax.
In the 1st stage it's set on the eastern side of the Gran Sasso massif.
A green belt of hills dotted by olive trees, vineyard and old villages.
The hi-rolling start takes us to Catignano with great views of the
Maiella mountains. The up and downs continue on the quiet roads crossing
Vicoli and Civitella Casanova. Then 2 longer climbs takes
respectively to Montebello di Bertona and to Farindola, an
amazing terrace overlooking the green pastures of this side of Gran
Sasso. Then mostly descending we reach
Penne where we stop for lunch. We are only 10k from the end so we can
indulge with a glass or two of the local Montepulciano.
In the 2nd stage we leave Loreto heading south towards the Aterno
River Valley. Again we ride up and down sweet hills crossing charming
villages: Pianella, Cepagatti, Rosciano. We cross
the Aterno River and we start climb the northern side of Maiella.
The climb, loosening up on many occasions, is not difficult. We are
cheered all along by stone villages: Serramonacesca, Roccamontepiano
and Pretoro where we summit. After lunch at Bocca di Valle
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 traditional organic foods.
The 3rd stage is a loop that starts with a long descent to the
Verde River Valley. A first, short but steep climb takes us to Casoli
then the grade levels down letting us enjoy the open landscapes of
Maiella. We reach Gessopalena, the old, abandoned village hanging
over a cliff, and Torricella Peligna, at 910mts the highest point
of the ride. From now is mostly downhill with more great views. We stop
for lunch at Roccascalegna in the shade of its imposing rock.
On the way to our Agriturismo we stop
at a small farm, producer of a precious olive oil.
On the 4th stage we tackle a mythic climb for Italian cyclists:
the Block Haus (2100mts). Much of its fame it's due to an early
stage at the '72 Giro d'Italia. Eddy Merckx, the Cannibal, had
one of the worst day of his career, ending up humiliated by the
featherweight Spaniard grimpeur Fuente that also snatched his
pink jersey. That day many celebrated pros didn't make it under the time
cut and they were excluded from the race. The climb measures 21k with an
elevation gain of 1600mts.
In the 5th stage we leave Guardiagrele on the old national road.
The road, clung to the eastern, rocky side of Maiella mountain, is a 40k
long belvedere. We cross Pennapiedimonte, whose stone houses are
hard to distinguished from the pointed rocks around, Fara San Martino, home of Pasta De
Cecco, Lama dei Peligni, Palena. Now a few steep sections in the woods
before summit Valico Forchetta (1290mts). We emerge on a vast highland
leading to Pescocostanzo, a perfectly preserved Renaissance village where we stop for lunch. We
end our
ride with a 20k descent into Sulmona. We stay in this delightful
old town for 3 days in a newly renovated B&B set in a Renaissance
palace.
The 6th stage is a loop going pretty much flat in the Peligna
Valley for 35k. The climb starts when we turn right from the old Tiburtina
road. After crossing Tocco Casauria the climb eases up. We ride
in an open valley crossed by deep gorges and dotted by wild flowers. At
the sides the imposing massifs of Maiella and Morrone. We
cross the spa resort of Caramanico Terme, the going gets harsh
again till S.Eufemia a Maiella but the last 10k are easy again.
At the summit, Passo S.Leonardo (1280mts), we can admire the
entire valley with the sneaky road that lead us here and the fairy
hamlet of Roccacaramanico and . We descend on the other side
stopping at the towered medieval town of Pacentro for lunch.
The 7th stage is entirely set in the Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo,
the oldest wilderness Park established in Italy. The first
unforgettable view is the village of Anversa silhouetted against
the high rocks. Crossing stone bored tunnels we gently rise in the
canyon of
Sagittario river. We follow the roaring stream till the
astonishing green mirror of Lake S.Domenico. The road levels up
running along the shores of the larger Lake of Scanno. The village
of Scanno is a gem of
Renaissance architecture and it is famed for traditional jewelry and
lacing. Up we go on the long but steady grades switchbacks of Passo Godi (1600mt) and
down the unending descent to Lake of Barrea. Lunch stop is in Pescasseroli,
major center of the Park. Another couple of reasonable climbs waits us
before the long descent back to Sulmona. We are now more than ready for
a memorable farewell dinner in one of the fine restaurants of the old
town.
Departure is after breakfast the following morning. Our van can take you
to Roma Airport (not included) or to Sulmona train station that is well
connected with Roma.
ASSOCIAZIONE
ABCYCLE
38, Via Brecciano
65013 Cittą S.Angelo (PE)
Abruzzo, Italia
tel/fax: Italia 085 969410
abcycle@virgilio.it
|
|
