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TOUR
OF CILENTO & AMALFI COAST
DATES
2010:
Sept 5 - 15
PRICE:
Eur 1500 (reserving before Jan 31)
Eur 1650
(after Jan 31)
Max 12
participants
DEPOSIT:
Eur 500
INCLUDES:
10
Nights in double room w/bath in Agriturismo or 3 stars Hotel
10 breakfasts and dinners
Support:
one
cycling guide and one van
NOT
INCLUDES
Single suppl.:
Eur 250
Van transfer to/from
Napoli Airport:
Eur
50 pp/each
way
Bike cases have to be stored at left luggage
Bikes for rent:
Eur
150
In Cilento we
can organize guided custom tours from one to two
weeks for groups of at least 5 participants
ASSOCIAZIONE ABCYCLE
38, Via Brecciano
65013 Cittą S.Angelo (PE)
Abruzzo, Italia
tel/fax: Italia 085 969410
abcycle@virgilio.it
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Our
bike trip starts in the magnificent scenario of Paestum Temples.
Van service is available on request to transport you and your
bike from Napoli Airport (1 hr journey time). After
your arrival we visit Ciclidea,
the best bike shop in the area where it's also possible to
rent a good bike for the trip. Waiting for the welcome
dinner - our host is a producer of many delicacies including
a superb buffalo
mozzarella -- choose between a walk in the Temples*
(striking at sunset time) or relax at our Agriturismo pool.
We start Day 2 climbing the switchbacks up to Capaccio.
On top we are greeted by an open highland. The road - cut
between the rock and the abyss - shows us our first views of the
wild landscapes of the Parco Nazionale del Cilento. In Monteforte
we stop for a cappuccino break. After a winding descent in the oak
forest and another climb we get to Cicerale. Here we stop
for a picnic lunch under the shade of a chestnut wood. A
long descent will take us back to Paestum.
On Day 3 we ride South on the gently rolling coastal route. We
ride along the beaches of Agropoli, Castellabate and
Casal Velino and under the shade of century-old olive trees.
Cappuccino break is in Pioppi just before the going gets
tougher. The old national road turns inland to Ascea and Pisciotta. Two beautiful
villages but built when Saracen pirates were a big problem. So
both stands on top of nasty climbs. A fish lunch in a restaurant
hanging over the mighty sea will be a welcome reward for your
effort. A long, seaward descent till
our hotel, right on the beach of Palinuro.
On Day 4 we are busy again with the hills of the Parco
Nazionale del Cilento. A first tough climb followed by a long
descent to get started then the long but regular ascent to Rocccagloriosa
(430 mts) and the cappuccino break. Sneaking through the greenery,
the road is very quiet but you will have an hard time finding a
flat stretch. After crossing the Mingardo
river, we tackle the longest climb to Montano Antilia (760 mts),
highest pass of the day. After a well deserved lunch we ride on a
highland till Cuccaro Vetere where the long and winding
descent home begins. Back in Palinuro you will sure appreciate a
refreshing swim in the ocean.
On Day 5 we resume our southward ride along the breathtaking Cilento coast.
Flat terrain until the charming Marina di Camerota here we
start a 10k climb that takes us to S.Giovanni in Piro (600
mts). The views from every hairpin bend offer a welcome
distraction from the pain of climbing. A long descent takes us
down to the Gulf of Policastro. After a few flat miles we
pass Sapri entering the region of Basilicata.
The coast gets rugged again and we keep roller coasting above the
mighty sea. The short climb to enchanting Maratea (320 mts)
can be a
suitable conclusion for your ride but well visible, towering above
the
entire gulf is the amazing statue of the Redentore (630 mts). If you
feel like doing some extra climbing you'll
be rewarded with a unique view. Our fine Hotel in Marina di
Maratea has private beach and pool.
The next, tough stage is entirely set in the region of Basilicata.
A first climb gets us to Trecchina (600 mts), charming
village surrounded by chestnut woods. After the winding
descent down to the Noce river we climb again to Lauria
(500 mts) where we stop for refreshment. Here a detour takes the more
fit towards Monte Sirino, toughest climb of the tour and
set of memorable Giro's stages. It's a 15k climb with long
sections at over 10% gradient to get to the 1530 mt of Lago Laudemio.
Then fasten your seat belts for the memorable downhill to Lagonegro
(670 mts). The two itineraries meet again at Lago
Sirino where we regroup for lunch. After one or
two espresso we ride our mostly descending and very
pleasant way home.
Day 7 is rest day. In little more than one hour we will drive back
to the same lovely agriturismo in Paestum. But first we have
plenty of time for a swim in the ocean and to go shopping in the
traditional bodegas of Maratea.
On Day 8 we ride in the foothills of the Monti Alburni. The
stage is long but the climbs are pretty easy and always leading up
to charming villages. We stop at Castelcivita (380 mts) for
cappuccino and at Corleto (620 mts) for lunch. The long
descent back home is interrupted only by the climb to Roccadaspide.
Back in the agriturismo you will find the women already busy
preparing you another unforgettable dinner.
Time to move up north to the Costiera Amalfitana. We follow the
absolutely flat coastal route
into the city of
Salerno. We cross
town riding on the Lungomare and soon get to Vietri sul Mare where
we get our first view of the fabulous Costiera. Here nature, over
the ages, and human, during the centuries, have created a miracle
of beauty. We leisurely ride the breathtaking coastal route
to Maiori where we turn inland starting the tough
climb to
Valico
Chiunzi (12k climb to 660mt). After the summit we stop in the
village of Tramonti. It's about time
for aperitif
so we visit a
cantina for wine tasting and sit down for a fine
lunch. For a
quick digestion we enter the small laboratory of one of the finest
limoncello producers. Now we are set for the spectacular seaward
descent that waits us. Almost at the bottom we stop for a stroll
in splendid Ravello. Our Hotel is in Minori right on the Costiera.
Our final day
is entirely set in the Costiera Amalfitana.
A very early start it's needed to fully enjoy, devoid of traffic,
the dire road hanging between mountain and
sea.
Taking
our time for pics we stop at Amalfi and cruise down to the glamorous
downtown of Positano. To
top a unique, unforgettable
ride
we gather our residual strength to face
the hairpin bends of the Agerola (700 mts).
The 12km
climb,
lined with lemon trees and grape terraces, rewards you with incomparable views. Our
tour ends
right in
front of the landmark that recalls the memorable climbs of Italy's
most loved champ: Fausto
Coppi, il Campionissimo. Looking down you may see, on the blue sea
background, the many ribbons of road that you have just climbed.
Time to celebrate with toasts and a good pasta specialty. After
lunch more thrills and unforgettable views on the long descent to
Minori. After the farewell dinner we go for a stroll in town and a
last bite of local pastry.
If you like to stay
more days daily tours to Sorrento,
Pompei,
Ercolano, Napoli, Vesuvio or the islands of Capri and Ischia are
easy to arrange. Otherwise our van service can take you to
Napoli
Airport on Day 11.
*admission
to museums or wherever else a ticket is required it is not
included in the tour price
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