May 20th to May 30th, 2011 - cost = $4375

May 20th -
Hotel location: Cortina d'Ampezzo, Dolomites

We'll be picking up at 12PM at Venice Marco-Polo airport. From Venice we'll make our way into the heart of the Dolomites, to the popular ski resort of Cortina d'Ampezzo and check into our hotel for the first 4 nights of the trip!

Those riding will be able to assemble bikes. While others can enjoy a stroll or rest a bit from traveling. We will then go for a short spin to stretch-out the legs and shake the rust off.

We'll then gather for a group dinner and go over the next few days' planned fun and excitement.

May 21st -
Hotel location: Cortina d'Ampezzo, Dolomites
Giro stage 14 / Lienz - Monte Zoncolan / 210km

What a way to start the trip. The race will be coming from Austria and end atop what is arguably the toughest mountain stage finish in Pro Cycling. Riders who are racing for a result today will resort to compact gearing! In previous year Mario Cippolini had no shame in riding a mountain bike up the climb actually!

From our hotel it is an 80km ride to get to the base of the climb. The scenery is excellent. Once on site you'll have the opportunity to try your legs on a portion of the climb. The first 2 kilometers are the "easiest" from there on, it gets very "interesting"!

Those not riding will be driven over the gorgeous terrain the dolomites have to offer.

After the stage we will head back to our hotel in Cortina

May 22nd -
Hotel location: Cortina d'Ampezzo, Dolomites
Giro stage 15 / Conegliano - Gardeccia/Val di Fassa / 230km

The peloton will have to go over 5 passes on this tough stage through the Dolomites. Very conveniently, the race also goes through.... Cortina.

This will give us the option of seeing the race in either Cortina or in the Passo Giau just outside Cortina.

We will plan a loop ride from/to the hotel which will include two climbs  - the second being the Passio Giau.

May 23rd -
Hotel location: Cortina d'Ampezzo, Dolomites
Giro Rest Day
 

While the riders enjoy a final rest day we'll use this opportunity to ride a portion of the famous Maratona dles Dolomites!

We will enjoy great rides over some of the most scenic passes/scenery in the Dolomites and have a bit of time for some R&R, catch up with shopping or correspondence, etc in Cortina!

May 24th -
Hotel location: Mestre, Venecia
Giro stage 16 / Belluno - Nevegal (Time Trial) / 12.7km

For our final day in the Dolomites, we'll see the uphill time trial Taking place between Belluno and the ski resort of Nevegal. We will ride the roughly 65km to the stage start early and have a choice of viewing location between the start and on the climb.

Stage starts are always good location to interact with the riders, but a time trial is even better as each of the pros takes the time to warm up near team buses. Great pictures and great autograph opportunities!

Once the stage is over, we will start making our way further East. We will stop overnight in Mestre just off of Venice and we'll have the evening to enjoy Venice!

May 25th -
Hotel location: Como

Giro stage 17 / Feltre - Sondrio / 246km

Today's stage is the longest of the 2011 Giro d'Italia. The race will be heading East and while there is a significant climb about 80km from the arrival, we do not expect great changes to take place in the GC classification.

So we figured we would take a day away from the race to be a) head further East ourselves b) enjoy a more leisurely day.

Our hotel this evening and tomorrow is in Como - on the lake of the same name. After making the drive, we'll have the afternoon to ride along the lake and into Bellagio. While we are in the area a stop to the Madonna del Ghisallo in Magreglio is absolutely mandatory

Pope Pius XII confirmed the Madonna del Ghisallo as patron Saint of Cyclists and there is now a museum of cycling related artifacts - including the damaged bike Fabio Casarteli (native of the region) crashed with the day he died during a TDF stage (1995)

May 26th -

Hotel location: Como

Giro stage 18 / Morbegno - San Pellegrino Terme / 147km

If yesterday was the longest stage, today will be the second shortest. From our hotel, there are several options; Ride to Lecco along Lake Como to see the race go through there, or ride to the only climb of the day! At close to 90km, the second option certainly isn't short and tomorrow we head into the Italian Alps!

May 27th -
Hotel location: Pinerolo

Giro stage 19 / Bergamo - Macugnaga / 79km

For once we won't ride out from the hotel today, rather drive out a short distance to get on the stage course. Our ride will then take in up to 80km on the exact course, all the way to the only climb of the day to Mottarone.

We'll see the stage go by in the climb and once the race has gone by, we'll make our way to our next hotel. The drive time isn't all that important, and we will try to get to our hotel in Pinerolo in time to catch the stage finish on TV!

A few interesting (or at least trivial!) facts; Pinerolo features a beautiful cathedral. It has hosted the Curling events of the 2006 Winter Olympics. The Man in the Iron Mask was imprisoned there from 1669. It will host a Tour de France stage finish and start in 2011.

May 28th -
Hotel location: Pinerolo

Giro stage 20 / Verbania - Sestriere / 242km

While the first 195km for today's stage are very flat, the final 37km will be quite spectacular. The race will first ascend the colle delle Finestre - 18.6km at 9.1%. What's more; the final few kilometers are unpaved! The downhill will lead directly to the base of Sestriere and the final climb of this year's Giro.

It is quite hard to pick which climb to choose from, so we'll leave the options open. There will be the options of riding directly from the hotel to Sestriere, or those particularly eager to ride the most on this final day will be able to challenge themselves on a ride of 110km in length which will include both climbs and viewing the finish in Sestriere. Another option is to see the race in the colle delle finestre where the atmosphere will be electric.

Regardless of where we view the race from, getting back to the hotel will be a simple roll downhill all the way back to Pinerolo.

May 29th -
Hotel location: Milan

Giro stage 21 / Milan - Milan / 32.8km

The entire Giro course has been a festival of climbs and important stages so far and today will be no exception.  Rather than the usual "parade", the race will end with a time trial through the streets of Milan beginning at the Piazza Castello and ending at the Piazza Duomo.

We will make our way to Milan in the morning and catch all the excitement live on site!

Once the stage is over we will celebrate with a final evening dinner together

May 30th -
Hotel location: N/A

Departure; you may leave at your convenience before noon... or extend by a few days in Milan or elsewhere in Italy?

• Transfer from Venice airport
• Hotel rooms based on double occupancy. 10 nights - seven in 4 star and three in quality 3 star properties
• All breakfasts at the hotels - All but 3 dinners
• Air-conditioned, Touring deluxe Minibus with Video
• All transportation throughout the trip
• Support Vehicle with water and snacks during the rides
• Use Of Garmin Edge units during the trip
• Services of experienced riders as guides and support for your trip.
• Bilingual support staff
• Minimum of 2 cycling distances daily
• Daily information with maps, cue sheets, other Giro information
• Detailed tour itinerary
• Pre-departure information detailing the trip, hotels, contact information, what to bring, and other essential info.
• Memories to last of lifetime!