CLASSICO P E D A L
Y O U R
P A S S I O N
THE EXPERTS IN BICYCLE VACATIONS SINCE 1989
TOP GUIDE TOURS 2016
What Is Your Passion?
Are you easily seduced by an incredible view? Do the gods of gelato and pasta call your name? Does your yearning to explore pull on your heartstrings when you hear the word “travel”? Do your dreams include spinning down quiet roads with your senses fully alive, absorbing the world’s most amazing cultures and spectacular scenery? Many moons ago, I followed my childhood passion for cycling, culture and landscapes and created Ciclismo Classico. My desire was to develop the most culturally intriguing and gorgeous cycling experiences in the world. Along the way, I also discovered my life purpose: to share my favorite places and inspire pedaling wanderlusts to discover and embrace their own deepest passions. Following this path, I have reignited my passion for photography and discovered that experiencing the world through a lens can allow a very similar, albeit slower, deep dive into the spirit of a place. While cycling is meditation in motion, photography offers a very special and mindful immersion into place. Both expand our sensory experience of the world like nothing else! In addition to cycling tours, our award-winning offerings now include photography tours for the culturally curious. These Travel Vision Journeys in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Iceland and Italy will connect and teach you about the world’s most enchanting cultures, nature and precious landscapes through an exclusive photographic experience. These perfectly crafted itineraries include daily classroom workshops and hands-on practice while exploring the surroundings with our master photography guides. At Ciclismo Classico, the pioneers in bicycle travel since 1989, creating an active experience that sparks your passion is our sole mission. Like chefs who intuitively know, love and seek out delicious flavors to blend into a succulent dish, our Ciclismo Classico dream team combines an insatiable love of cycling, travel and culture with a rich imagination for creating one-of-a-kind itineraries. This special blend of ingredients, the “Magical Ciclismo Menu,” has earned dozens of awards and thousands of accolades and is a feast for the senses that will win a place in your heart. That is my personal guarantee. Are you ready to soar through a landscape and pedal to your heart’s content? Do you long to follow your curiosity, wander through ancient villages and listen to the sounds of life play a soulful tune? Can’t resist stopping and taking hundreds of photos? Why wait to enjoy these sensory adventures? You deserve to follow your passions, live life to its fullest, sleep like a baby and awaken excited do it all over again!
Vedere
After inspiring thousands of guests and designing the world’s most innovative cycling itineraries, one simple principle remains at our Ciclismo Core: Life should be active, fun, delicious, educational, flowing, strengthening, energizing and deeply connected with beautiful places and their people. Whether you are pedaling a bicycle or looking through a lens, you will discover, on a Ciclismo Classico tour, that life itself is a dream waiting to happen. Buona Pedalata!
Lauren Hefferon Founder and Director, Ciclismo Classico
Mangiare
Pedalare
Top Guide Tours A guide plays a pivotal role in making any travel experience the most memorable and unforgettable it can be. Making a personal connection with your guide, building group camaraderie, sharing local secrets and encouraging personal growth will all contribute to the “footprint” your travels have on the rest of your life. Most of our guides have been with us for over 8 years, have led over 100 tours, and have charmed thousands of guests. With this level of experience comes a coveted status — that of a Top Guide. Introduced in 2014 by founder Lauren Hefferon, Top Guide Tours celebrate what our guides know and do best: design itineraries, share their love of cycling, and deliver world class bicycle travel experiences.
Table of Contents
Esplorare
PAGE
The Ciclismo Difference
2–3
Our Guides
4–5
What’s Your Pace?
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Top Guide Tour: La Costa Brava
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Top Guide Tour: Bike in Brittany
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Top Guide Tour: Loire Valley
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Top Guide Tour: Italian Lakes
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Bikes and Gear
10
What’s Included on Your Trip
11
Refer a Friend / Ciclismo Cares
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Our Ciclismo Team
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“ I cannot say enough good things about this entire experience. The trip was fabulous! It was extremely well-organized and the guides were fantastic. They really made the whole trip. Their passion for the sport and the country was infectious.” — FRANK, MALVERN, PA
What Makes a Ciclismo Experience Magical?
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Magic Ingredient #1:
Magic Ingredient #2:
Magic Ingredient #3:
Our renowned tour leaders aren’t just fit cyclists showing you all the sights. Most were born and raised in Italy and Europe and live there year-round. They’ll give you the inside running on their home territory and the regions you’ll visit, sharing secrets and tips that only locals are privy to. It’s what Ciclismo Classico is famous for.
Not the fossil kind, but glorious fuel for you! Each day, feast on gourmet spreads featuring the tasty signature specialties of the region, from homemade tortellini in Italy to crepes stuffed with goat cheese and honey in Provence. Plus, you’ll enjoy the bounty of our famous Ciclismo alfresco picnics—a real treat.
Like true bicycle bambini, our guides have ridden—even raced—thousands of miles in their adventurous lives. In special miniclinics and lessons, they’ll share with you the fine points of shifting, braking, posture, climbing, descending, cadence and more, so that you’ll ride for maximum enjoyment and achieve your personal best.
Magic Ingredient #4:
Our Exclusive Menu of Special Ingredients
EXPERT, LOCAL GUIDES
LESSONS IN THE LOCAL LINGO You won’t be at a loss for words when a local pays you a compliment or gives you directions. Our native guides will conduct a number of efficient, structured language lessons covering important words and phrases that will earn big, welcoming smiles from the locals.
“ We have been charmed by the magic of traveling with Ciclismo—why go with anyone else?” — SANDY, SEATTLE, WA
FUEL, GLORIOUS FUEL
RAMPING UP YOUR RIDE
Magic Ingredient #5:
Magic Ingredient #6:
Magic Ingredient #7:
There’s no other adjective to describe them. Don’t be surprised to roll into a village at the height of a Renaissance fair, community feast or religious celebration, like the madcap Festa dei Ceri in Gubbio on the Bike Across Italy tour. We design many trips to coincide with them. Bring plenty of memory cards for your camcorder or point-and-shoot!
When traveling by bicycle, getting an excellent night’s sleep is right up there with gourmet carbs and fabulous scenery. From a rustic farmhouse to a five-star villa, from a medieval castle to a cute cottage, we make sure your nightly “casa” reflects the character of your destination.
Need a breather? Hop in the Ciclismo support van, your air-conditioned deli, tool shed, café and hangout. Rest your wheels, crack open a box of biscotti and follow the route until you’re ready to roll on that magic pavement again. Caveat: the guides might get you singing “Volare” or some other classic Italian tune while you enjoy the ride.
SPELLBINDING CELEBRATIONS
HOME AWAY FROM HOME
ON THE SAG WAGON IN STYLE
Magic Ingredient #8:
Magic Ingredient #9:
That means “after your ride, have fun!” in Italian. You’ve parked your wheels, indulged in dinner, what’s next? Gelato strolls, dancing la tarantella in the piazza, spontaneous serenades and even a late-night dip in the Mediterranean are just some of the ideas our guides conjure up for that all-important nightcap. Dormire bene— another magic day awaits your willing wheels.
We make sure you keep your body fueled regularly with water, fresh fruit and high-energy snacks, sourced locally when we can. Think—or rather scarf—orangeand-chocolate Pan dell’Orso (bear bread), piping hot pastries and, va bene, you better start pedaling!
DOPO IL GIRO FUN: Divertirsi!
SNACK-ATTACK THOSE HILLS
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What’s the Ciclismo Secret Sauce?
“ The guides were the most outstanding feature of the tour. Professional and efficient, but also passionate about cycling, food, culture, and very connected to the group. We’d do another trip with them in a heartbeat.” — MIKE, MERCER ISLAND, WA What inspires our guests to return year after year for their annual active vacation, birthday, wedding or other milestone moment in their life? Our guides’ passion for their work and years of expertise. In our 27 years of operation, we’ve received countless letters of adoration and appreciation from guests thanking our highly experienced, and often local, guides for hosting the perfect tour. Tours that create deep cultural connections with the areas you travel through, tours that take you on an insider’s adventure of Italy and beyond, tours that are led by our amazing guides… and our own Ciclismo Guiding Principles.
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Guiding Principle #1:
Guiding Principle #2:
Guiding Principle #3:
Even in a small group, feeling at ease with your travelmates is key to creating the perfect cycling adventure. Our gregarious guides break the ice between you and other travelers, no matter what corner of the world they come from. Before you know it, you’ll be talking travel memories, ancient history, wine varietals and more. With our guides as your mutual connection, you’ll forge lasting friendships and feel like you’re traveling with family.
A warm welcome into our guides’ hometowns (and, in some cases, their own homes!) is a given. But tagging along to their favorites—gelaterias that serve up Dolomite–sized servings, ancient murals that have been long tucked away in a barn—is like visiting a long-lost cousin who knows all the secret spots. Connections with the local people—and their enthusiasm—is what distinguishes a Ciclismo Classico Guide from others in the field.
Whether cycling alongside you or tailing you in our support van, your guide is always on the spot, making sure you stay on track, keeping your water bottles full and ensuring you have everything you need for a perfect day of bicycle travel. Mechanical problem? No problem! Our guides have the tools and experience, and our mobile bike van is never more than a crank-turn away.
TRANQUILLO: PUTTING YOU AT EASE—IMMEDIATELY
Guiding Principle #4:
CICLISTI: EXPERT COACHING TO MAKE YOU A BETTER CYCLIST No matter how athletic you are, there’s always room to get more from your ride. Our guides are expert cyclists, former competitive racers and experienced distance bicycle travelers, and have plenty of other cycling credentials. Most importantly, they love sharing their cycling expertise, and offer at least three structured clinics and personalized coaching tips to make your ride safer, better and more effective.
CASA MIA É CASA TUA
SEMPRE SORRIDENTE: STELLAR SUPPORT, MILE AFTER MILE
Guiding Principle #5:
PROFESSIONALE E ATTENTO Our guides are the first to rise and the last to bed—it’s a lot of work to make sure your tour runs like a well-oiled machine! Their professionalism is enhanced by their innate ability to care for each and every individual guest. They delight in showing off their homeland in a way that unforgettably ignites your passions—whatever they may be. We carefully select guides who foster these surprisingly rare dual qualities.
World’s Greatest Guides Guiding Principle #6: RIMANI IN CONTATTO: STAY CONNECTED
Our guides love to stay in touch post-tour. Via Facebook, Skype, email, blogs—even a personal visit—our guides keep you up to speed on upcoming events, giving you plenty of reasons to return to their homeland. They love hearing your thoughts on what would make your next Ciclismo tour even better. During winter, our guides often come to our Boston office and hit the road to visit their new cycling friends. If you are interested in hosting them at reunion festa in your hometown, please contact our office. ciclismoclassico.com | 1.800.866.7314
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What’s Your Pace? EASY Perfect for the cycling newbie who already enjoys being active, or anyone who just wants to take it easy. Pedal at a meandering pace, stop to take pictures, savor a leisurely lunch and explore the surroundings. Enjoy quiet roads along flat and rolling terrain zigzagging through vineyards, olive groves and farmland. Average daily distance: 18–35 miles. Terrain: flat
We’ll Match You with the Perfect Tour
ATHLETIC BEGINNER You’re not an avid cyclist, but you are fit and love to exercise regularly. You cycle two to three times a week and enjoy exploring on your bike. Enjoy a flowing pace with plenty of time throughout the day to indulge in the local specialties, take in the local culture and enjoy the magnificent views. There will be an occasional hill, more rolling terrain and higher mileage. Average daily distance: 35–45 miles. Terrain: flat and rolling
INTERMEDIATE You love being active and cycling is your preferred way. You are in good physical condition and ride whenever you can. Intermediate tours maintain a steady pace with opportunities to push yourself by tackling challenging climbs with great descents over stunning terrain. You’ll still have time to explore and enjoy the landscape and towns you’ll visit. Average daily distance: 40–50 miles. Terrain: rolling with some hills
ADVANCED You are an avid cyclist who trains regularly, participates in bicycling events and is eager to plan the next bicycling vacation. You enjoy a vigorous ride, challenging climbs and thrilling descents. These tours have plenty of classic climbs and spectacular views, and are perfect for cyclists who covet long mileage with lots of hills and varying terrain. Average daily distance: 45+ miles. Terrain: hilly with long climbs
“ ... what a great operation you run and what a quality experience a Ciclismo trip is.” — KIRA AND CHARLIE, NEW YORK, NY 6
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La Costa Brava Cycle the prettiest coast of Spain with Alessandro Allegro Situated in the northeastern corner of Spain, the Costa Brava is one of the most romantic and gorgeous stretches of coast in all of Europe. It is home to some of the finest Blue Flag beaches, turquoise waters, secluded coves, and highest concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants in Spain, making Catalonia a foodies’ paradise. The Costa Brava’s mild year-round climate and spectacular cycling terrain make it the preferred training ground for amateur and pro cyclists. INTERMEDIATE June 11 – 18 Total Miles: 260 miles
Daily Average: 43 miles
Terrain: Rolling with a few climbs Arrive / Depart: Girona / Tossa de Mar Price: $5,195
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Bike in Brittany Let Enrico Pizzorni show you the beaches, woods and vistas of northwest France With its Celtic heritage, tangible in its people, landscape, language, food and traditions, Brittany is less French than many of France’s regions. This itinerary unfolds west to east along wild seaside cliffs, romantic lighthouses, glorious, unspoiled nature and character-packed towns. Cycling in Brittany is never boring: the roads are quiet and allow riders to fully appreciate the surroundings, and the terrain changes continuously and offers enough challenges to a wide range of intermediate riders.
INTERMEDIATE June 25 – July 2 Total Miles: 280 miles Daily Average: 48 miles Terrain: Quiet secondary roads, short climbs and descents Arrive / Depart: Baule / Perros Guirec Price: $5,195
Loire Valley Cycle the garden of France with Gabriel Del Rossi Discover the beautiful Loire Valley; what once was the exclusive paradise of the kings of France and their court is now a UNESCO site open to visitors from all over the world. This slow rolling tour unfolds between quaint villages, quiet forests, perfect gardens and magnificent castles. The Loire Valley has a bit for everyone: natural reserves with dozens of different bird species, unique gastronomic features, and for the dessert lover, the Tarte Tatin.
EASY June 12 – 17 Total Miles: 134 miles Daily Average: 48 miles Terrain: Mostly flat, several bike paths Arrive / Depart: Court Cheverny / Saumur Price: $4,395
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Italian Lakes Lake Orta, Maggiore, Como and Lugano with Isacco Colombo Each corner of this itinerary is part of the complex mosaic of sights and experiences of the Italian Lakes. From the UNESCO sites of Orta and Cernobbio to the monumental gardens of Villa Taranto and Villa d’Este, the high-quality cycling and unique, lake-inspired gastronomy put this area on the “to-see” list of the curious traveler. We’ll pedal along some of the most famous lakes in Piedmont and Lombardy, and into Valtellina, one of Italy’s best but lesser-known wine regions.
INTERMEDIATE June 18 – 24 Total Miles: 230 miles Daily Average: 41 miles Terrain: Secondary roads, smooth hills Arrive / Depart: Orta San Giulio / Bellagio Price: $4,595
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Our Fabulous Fleet of Bikes
Bianchi, with its historical Italian brand, is a performance-bicycle company characterized by product-driven technology, Italian design and a global market. Bianchi believes the frame is the heart of the bicycle, and it is constantly investing in material technology with the aim of producing the best bikes in the world. With its Reparto Corse (Racing Department), Bianchi has led the way with race-proven geometry and technology as the market has changed from steel to aluminum and then titanium, and now to the most advanced material: carbon.
Bianchi Intenso
NEW CARBON FRAMES! INTENSO OR VERTIGO The carbon frame guarantees maximum performance with minimum stress for the riders, thanks to Bianchi’s special C2C (Coast to Coast) frame design/geometry and different material combination. The gearing is customized by us in order to allow easier pedaling while climbing. Bike comes with our new Garmin Edge Touring GPS. $250 upgrade, included on all intermediate and advanced tours.
BIANCHI VIA NIRONE 7 This bike is the perfect balance between comfort and performance and is your perfect travel companion on wheels. It has a Bianchi carbon fork, Shimano 105 triple groupset, wheel set laced with 32 spokes and 25mm tires, and an adjustable handlebar stem. Bianchi Via Nirone 7
HIGH-PERFORMANCE HYBRID Prefer a more upright sitting position? We offer an aluminum hybrid bike with straight handlebars that is conducive to riding at a more relaxed pace. But with 28-inch wheels and performance tires, you won’t be left smelling the flowers. TANDEMS AND KIDS’ BIKES Cannondale Road or Hybrid: Racing posture with 700c wheels, or more straight-up position and 26-inch wheels. Co-Motion Periscope*: Premium tandem that accommodates a smaller team or even children. $400 upgrade. Honey Tandem*: Light and responsive and perfect for experienced tandem riders. $400 upgrade. For families: We offer small bikes for children including hybrids, trail-a-bikes and trailers designed to work in harmony with our main bikes. *Premium tandems come with a Garmin Edge Touring GPS.
EBIKES ANYONE? Call us and find out how we have envisioned ebikes leveling the plane for active couples with different riding abilities. Available on: • All easy tours • All athletic beginner tours • Some intermediate and advanced
tours, please visit our website
All bikes come with: • Ciclismo Classico water bottle • Two water bottle holders • Map holder on handlebars (or Garmin Edge Touring
GPS) • Handlebar bag • Tire pump • Combination bike lock • Gel-padded saddle • Choice of pedals • Card with your tour leaders’ mobile phone numbers
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Aluminum Hybrid
What’s Included on Your Trip ACCOMMODATIONS & MEALS
TRAVEL PLANNING
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Accommodations in luxury hotels, charming B&Bs and family inns
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An expert office staff in the United States and Italy to assist you with pre- and post-tour travel consultation
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Breakfast every morning (continental or buffet)
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Pre-departure resource with information on your destination, what to bring, what to expect and suggestions on how to prepare for the tour
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Convenient meeting points for arriving and departing
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Pre- and post-tour hotel reservations, pre- and post-tour shuttle reservations (available for the hotels used on tour)
• Some lunches • Most dinners •
All snacks and drinks en route
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Luggage handling during the tour
• Custom-designed cycling jersey for
ON THE TRIP •
Carefully crafted and many award-winning itineraries
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Detailed route instructions and maps highlighting daily options or Garmin Edge Touring GPS
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Wine and food tastings
• Cooking demonstrations •
Guided walking tours
every guest, made in Italy, by Pissei • Group transfer at the end of the tour • Tips and gratuities for performers,
local city guides and other included activities • All transfers that occur during a tour
GUIDES AND VAN SUPPORT • Experienced, bilingual, local and/or resident guides,
equipped with mobile phones • Local guides to lead walks, educational talks or other
activities • Private air-conditioned van support, a combination tool
ONE OF OUR AWESOME BICYCLES •
shed, deli, café and hangout if you want to rest your legs
Your choice of a 30-speed Bianchi road bike with aluminum frame, carbon fork and Shimano components OR a high-performance, 24-speed Ciclismo Classicoexclusive hybrid with aluminum frame (women’s hybrid also available)
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED • Airfare • Gratuity for Ciclismo Classico guides
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Ebikes available on request (at an extra charge)
• Cycling clinics
• Wine and alcoholic beverages
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Tandems available on request (premium models at an extra charge)
• Museum visits
• Most lunches
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Bianchi carbon bikes equipped with Garmin Edge Touring GPS
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Bike selection on tours outside of Europe may vary
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Activities to immerse you in the local culture, such as visits to festivals and special events (subject to availability) Extra loops available on most trips for those looking to log some more miles
• Transfers to the starting point (unless specified) • Helmets (required) • Transport of bike case for guests who bring their own bike
(shipping to the destination available for additional fee) • Personal expenses such as laundry, supplies, phone calls, etc.
What’s included varies per tour, please consult our itineraries.
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Share the Ciclismo Magic
REFER A FRIEND! Do you have one or more friends who would be interested in hearing more about Ciclismo Classico? Let us give them a call or send them a catalog. If they like what they see and book a tour, you receive a $200 credit to use towards a future Ciclismo Classico tour, and your friend receives 5% off their first tour! Refer 10 friends for an additional $500 once they travel!
Ciclismo Cares
PAN MASS CHALLENGE
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Bringing dreams to life, Ciclismo Classico has built local and global relationships with the following organizations:
Our Ciclismo Team
“ The customer service and the guides were excellent. Very responsive, flexible and considerate of our group needs. Wonderful with the children. The guides went above and beyond in making sure we all had good rooms in our hotels! We really appreciate that!” — DIANE, INCLINE VILLAGE, NV
Our mission is to offer high-quality, educational and dreamy tours that celebrate the diversity of native people and their landscape. Our tours are active immersions into local art, language, music and, of course, delicious cuisine. By combining legendary service and rare cultural experiences, our Ciclismo philosophy continues to energize and transform each and every guest. We warmly embrace our activetravel niche and family-style company culture. Our strengths and excellent reputation lie in our years of active travel expertise, superior and personalized customer service, and multitalented staff and members of our tour leadership team. Whether you are looking for advice on choosing the right trip for you, want to know more about our bikes and gear, or just need help preparing for your tour, our office staff is always delighted to be of assistance. We want you to love bike touring and our favorite places as much as we do. So whatever we can do to help, just give us a call!
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CLASSICO P E D A L
Y O U R
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30 Marathon Street Arlington, MA 02474 USA Tel: 1.800.866.7314 info@ciclismoclassico.com
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