Italian Lakes Cycle Challenge Picture 1
Next departure:
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Best Time of Year: March - October
Bike Adventure
Welcome to the Italian Lakes challenge. We have 3 days to explore the lakes and surrounding mountains. Have your, tyres pumped, chain oiled and camera charged you are in for a beautiful ride.
Basing ourselves in Varese we are ideally suited to visit a different iconic lake each day. Our first day see's us transfer from Milan Malpenese airport. Depending on arrival time we may be able to sneak in a little 30km leg warmer around lake varese:) before our eveming meal together
Ride Day 1: proper sees us take on our first full days ride (110km) - The ride takes us along the shores of Lake Maggiore, but first there is the small matter of Mount Pian Nave and Mont La Taggia. Not to fear there is a slightly longer but flatter route along the lake if you prefer? Once we ride down the eastern shores of Maggiore we head back to our accomodation via Lake Monate and Verase
Ride Day 2: sees us heading North East towards lake lugano, Soon after crossing the Swiss boarder we have our first glimpse of the lake, we shall head through the town of Lugano and along the Northern Shore. Next we shall skirt around the western shor of Como, before heading over the mont Casle before rejoing the lake at it's southern most tip o and lake lugano. Then an well deserved afternnon coffee before returning to our accommodation.
Ride Day 3: Our final days ride see's us head to Lake Lugano before heading further east to the infamous Lake Como. As we approach the town of Como itself we shall head up the North Western shore towards cabenabbia. Here we shall take a short ferry to Bellagio (please have 3 euros in your back pocket for this). After the ferry we again have options; to vist the chapel of the patron saint of cycling (Madonna del Ghisallo) and take the mountainous route back to Como, or you can continue along the lake shore looping back to Como slightly longer but flat and o so beautiful. After arriving back in Como it's our final return to our accomodation.
Day 5: Today you shall jump back on the Coach to Milan Malpenesa, with fond memories of another fantastic cycle
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive Milan Malpenesa Airport - Transfer to Varese - leg warmer lakeside ride
Day 2 - Lake Maggiore Ride
Day 3 - Lake Lugano Ride
Day 4 - Lake Como Ride
Day 5 - Transfer back to Milan Malpenesa
Accommodation
We will base ourselves at a lakeside hotel (4*)
What is a Level 3.5 Cycling Challenge Like?
These challenge rides are either longer, with more ascent, or span several days. In the case of single day events, you can expect up to 10 hours cycling. In the case of a multi day ride, you can expect lower daily durations - but of course - the effort is sustained over a longer period. You need to be a keen cyclist for these events, and to enjoy training, and to ride regularly. If the ride is outside the EU, it is likely to be easier in terms of the physical riding, however, you will need to be more resilient - due to more basic living conditions (in the case of Asia / Africa especially)
How Fit Do I need to be to join a Level 3.5 ‘Bike Ride’?
You need to have good endurance for these events. You must be used to doing long rides in the countryside - 6 hours + . You should be doing regular exercise - with some serious cycle training. Your typical comfortable cycling speed will be at least 22-24 km/hr, and you should be able to cycle at high speed for up to 1 hour or 25 km. You may also be concentrating on other types of exercise - but for longer periods of time (ie sessions in excess of 1.5 hrs.) - however cycling is the best preparation (obviously!)
Included In Trip
Accomodation
Cycle Guides
Support Vehicles
Meals
Excluded From Trip
Pre / Post event accommodation
Equipment Required
Bike Items
Road Bike / Hybrid Bike (with puncture resistant tyres) - please call us for guidance on type of bike on a trip by trip basis
2 X Water Bottles (bladder system/cycle water bottles)
Cycling Gloves, Bike Lock, Neck Scarf, Inner Tubes*, Multi-Tool (with allen keys)*
Day Bag for support vehicle, Small Holdall (for overnight gear)
Bike Lights (front and rear, head torch can be worn)
Saddle Bag (recommended - can be used to carry asterisk* items)
Puncture Repair Kit*, Spare parts for your bike (specialist parts and spokes), Pump (suitable for your valve type)
Helmet (compulsory)
Personal Medikit Suncream, Plasters, Vaseline, Painkillers, Sunbloc, Insect Repellant
Washkit
Warm Clothing Medium Weight Softshell, Long sleeve Jersey / insulating layer Lightweight Gloves.
Cycle / Overnight Clothing
Lycra Cycling Shorts, Cotton Shorts, Long Cycling Trousers (Tights/Tracksuit Bottoms)
Cotton T-Shirts for evening
Short Sleeve Cycling T-Shirts (wicking type material) or Cycle Top with rear pockets
Cycling Shoes (approach shoes suitable), Sandals / Spare Shoes for after ride
Casual Evening Wear
Waterproof Clothing
1 Outer Fully Waterproof Jacket (gore-tex, e-vent) - comfortable to cycle in
Other
Travel Documents, EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) Credit Cards, Cash, Local Currency, Mobile Phone, Sunglasses
Snacks for Cycling Days (dried fruits, nuts, flapjacks, cereal bars etc)
Travel insurance (not included), Passport
Important
Make sure you do not ‘over pack’ - bring only what is essential for the trip
A final kit list will be provided in your ‘Final Joining Instructions’ pre-departure
Weather
During the summer months we can expect dry and warm to Hot conditions. However being in the foothills of the Alps the weather can change beyond the seasonal norms. It is advisable to bring a waterproof and pair of arm warmers and leggings just in case we have unseasonable weather
Notes on Cycling Events
This is our standard range of Cycling Challenges in the UK, Europe and further afield. However, we offer completely tailormade itineraries to your specification. Call us to discuss!
Please note that for overseas point to point cycling challenges we can transport soft cases for bike transport - but not hard cases, due to space limitations on board our support vehicles.
On all our cycling events, please pack sensibly and bring a reasonably sized soft holdall type bag.
To participate in an overseas Adventure Cafe challenge - you must carry Travel Insurance (to be for the activity you are participating in, and to include repatriation to the UK).
Please also note that you should have a good level of cycling experience and be competent to handle your bike. We ride on roads shared with other vehicles - and you need to be able to deal with this safely.
Adventure Cafe Booking Terms and Conditions
By booking an event with Adventure Cafe, you agree to these standard terms of booking. Please ensure that you read the appropriate document for your type of event carefully.
Adventure Cafe Terms & Conditions - For all types of event