The Cyclist Studios - Abruzzo Tour

THE CYCLISTS STUDIO BETTER. DIFFERENT. MORE ENJOYABLE.

Ride with us ROAD & GRAVEL CYCLING TOURS

www.thecyclistsstudio.com

ABOUT US WE ARE DIFFERENT We are The Cyclists Studio.

If you like to go on the same cycling break to the same place each year, our Experience breaks might not be right for you. If however you are looking for something better, different and more enjoyable, read on.

"THE ONE WHO FOLLOWS THE CROWD WILL USUALLY GO NO FURTHER THAN THE CROWD." Albert Einstein

John Dawson In 2020, John founded what has already grown to a 100+ member cycling club in his local town of Stamford. He has 20+ years cycling experience and has pedalled many popular and much less well known roads and trails. He loves exploring, finding great places and is a British Cycling qualified Ride lead.

Spike Clark ‘Spike’ is a former RAF Regiment Wing Commander and before that a Physical Training Instructor, whose experience of planning aligned to his organisational skills ensure faultless delivery. His love of cycling has grown every year since he joined his local club. He is a qualified cross country ski instructor, and like John, Spike is a British Cycling qualified Ride lead.

George Cudmor George is the newest member of TCS and another club member.

He mixes his passion for peddling with his appetite for the best-quality coffee. A digital-specialist, George uses his experience of brand-building and online social-media & marketing expertise honed at the BBC, Banijay and many digital agencies, to advance businesses like ours.

Mike Emery Mike is an all-round cycle specialist, on all terrain. He loves to Wattbike and rides regularly in a Zwift intercontinental racing team. A qualified Sports masssage practitioner and level 4 Personal Trainer, he is a winter Biathlete and, like Spike, is also a cross country ski instructor.

ABRUZZO, ITALY EXPLORE THE GREEN LUNG OF EUROPE The region of Abruzzo is nestled in the Apennines, hugging the Adriatic Coast, of Italy. Home to 75% of all flora and fauna species in Europe, and with its varied and wonderful landscape, it’s a true Southern Italian gem.

On our Abruzzo Experience, we will traverse windswept coastal paths and (quite literally) breathtaking mountainous terrain; take in iconic views of the Trabocchi Coast, where the 2023 Giro d’Italia began and cycle some of the areas most spectacular mountain ranges, the Majella and Gran Sasso d’Italia.

Unrivalled spectacles and natural wonders await on this four-day road ride experience, each ride will spark ride conversations, great stories for the end of each day and memories for you to treasure and to share with friends when you get home.

The tour is arranged with our Italian partners Di Luca and there are a number of optional extras you can add - including a ride with ex professional rider Danilo Di Luca.

The food will be rich local fare, with some exquisite wine and, of course, the quality coffee you just expect in Italy.

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DAY ONE PESCARA TO COSTA DEI TRABOCCHI 75km distance | approx 1,000m elevation

We

will leave Pescaro after a relaxing breakfast and cycle into gently the rolling hills, where you will be surrounded by stunning vineyards.

Its a long morning ride but with stops along the way, for a local coffee and time to admire the views, after 65km we will arrive at Frentana, one of the most iconic and beautiful cantinas in Abruzzo, for a well-earned lunch.

Fully restored, we will cycle back via Abbey San Giovanni, in Venere before joining the iconic Trabocchi coast roads (where the 2023 Giro d’Italia route began), 10km from the abbey. We’ll cruise along the Adriatic Coast on Europe’s longest cycle way, finishing back in Pescara.

In Pescara you can just relax - take in the scenery, enjoy the bustling town, or stretch your legs on the beautiful seafront, while we look after your bikes.

Alternatively, you can try the a unique dining experience of both raw and cooked fish platters in a traditional Trabocchi fishing hut, which sits on stilts over the water, looking directly out to sea.

Day One is complete - time to relax and get ready for day two of this magical experience.

DAY TWO FROM THE COAST TO THE MAJELLA Route A: 80km distance | 1,200m elevation Route B: 90km distance | 2,000m elevation

Depart

from the seafront to the amazing climbs and stunning scenery of the Abruzzo mountain range, the Majella (a UNESCO Global Geopark).

After 30km of riding, we will arrive in Guardiagrele for a coffee break, with a chance to sample the ‘high-carb’ Abruzzo pastries - perfect for cyclists. From here the climbing starts! You may choose the ‘relaxed’ (1,200m of elevation) route through the small, ancient medieval villages in the foothills of the mountains.

The more challenging route (1,500m elevation) will require a good level of endurance and takes riders to the top of the Blockhaus, a famous strategic German defensive point from the the Second World War. The groups will come back together for lunch in a chalet and if the weather is kind to us we will enjoy views over the whole of Abruzzo, and out towards the sea in the distance. After lunch, we descend the mountain back to the Hotel, where you might choose to relax and prepare for day Three with time on the Spa. Dinner will consist of amazing high protein and carb dishes that are typical of the region, with the option of matching them with beautiful local wine.

Up for a challenge?

Ride to the top of the Blockhaus!

DAY THREE MAJELLA MOUNTAINS TO GRAN SASSO 80km distance | 1,800m elevation

Depart

from the Majella into the Gran Sasso known as ‘little Tibet’, this mountain range is home to the highest peak in the Apennines (the Corno Grande), as well as Europe’s only glacier and the closest to the equator.

Along the way, we will travel through iconic locations such as Bussi, Capestrano, Rocca Calascio (‘Ladyhawke’s Castle’), and Santo Stefano di Sessanio.

We will take a small break before a climb through the mountain pass of Campo Imperatore, where Mussolini was captured and many famous films have been set, including George Clooney’s The American.

This is a very special cycling place and featured in the 2023 Giro di Italia.

We will enjoy a short ‘pit stop’ to refuel in the Rifugio mountain huts, which date back to the medieval times, and are typical of the Abruzzo region.

Back on the saddle, we’ll ride to Miramonti, a beautiful mountain retreat hotel with genuine je ne sais quoi - where you can lose yourself in the stunning views before sitting down to dine on some more delicious, Abruzzo cuisine.

Time now to relax and rest, ready for your return to the coast and, if you wish, a chance to meet Danilo and the Di Luca team.

DAY FOUR RETURN TO THE COAST (PESCARA) 70km distance | 1,300m elevation

Depart from Gran Sasso to ride past the

medieval villages in the region of Teramo, descending directly to the seafront. Pass iconic towns such as Atri, Pineto, and Silvi Marina along the way.

Next up is a 70km descent directly back to Pescara, the starting point of our tour, where we will enjoy lunch together by the coast.

If you wish, you can join us at our bike partners, Di Luca shop in Abruzzo and chat with Danilo and take opportunity to try their fabulous Road (Carbon / recently launched Titanium) and Gravel bikes.

TCS Experience guests have the opportunity to purchase bikes at a discounted price for up to 3 months after their time in Abruzzo.

If you choose to purchase when you are in Italy and take a bike back with you, there are great import and tax savings.

Back

on the saddle in the afternoon, we’ll ride down to the hotel to dine one last time and recall the many WOW moments.

Visit the Di Luca Shop & gaze on the best bikes Made In Italy

The regions food & drink Just an hour and a half northeast of Rome, in the lightly touristed, barely touched region of Abruzzo, modern-day shepherds follow ancient roads, winemakers prefer unheralded grapes, and feasting is at the center of everyday life.

Spaghetti alla Chitarra, Lamb and Sweet Pepper Ragù This Abruzzo specialty features bell peppers mixed into the sauce and cooked briefly so they retain their shape and lend a pop of sweetness. It is typically served over spaghetti alla chitarra (pasta from Abruzzo that is shaped on a tool that resembles a guitar).

Fried stuffed Castelvertrano Olives Olives are stuffed with a simple beef and pork filling and fried for a more substantial snack in this recipe from Abruzzo winemaker Emidio Pepe's wife, Rosa

Porchetta-Style Chicken Marinated chicken breasts are spread with garlic paste, herbs, and pancetta before being rolled and grilled in this porchetta adaptation inspired by Taverna 58, a restaurant in the seaside town of Pescara, Italy.

Montepulciano and Trebbiano Vino These wines are the highlights of Abruzzo, both are grape varities native to the region. Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is the most well known but it is often confused with Vino Nobile di Montepulciano but they are totally different.

John can’t really tell the difference but knows he likes both of them!

DI-LUCA THE BRAND THAT POWERS OUR TOUR

Di Luca

bikes are dedicated to performance racing.

All Di-Luca products are hand-crafted with the latest technological advancements.

Di-Luca have a prestigious industry experience from over 30 years of Danilo Di Luca’s riding career, whose accomplishments and successes include the famous “côte” that characterises the classic routes of the northern Alps, to the legendary climbs of the Giro d’Italia such as Mortirolo and Stelvio.

Danilo’s journey inspired him to design and engineer fully customisable bikes for customers who desire true Italian style, flair and craftsmanship.

Whether it’s road or gravel you’re after, visit Di Luca’s website for more information: www.dilucabike.com/en/bikes and then speak to TCS.

The Bikes: Road and Gravel

MORE DETAILS TOUR TERMS & CONDITIONS A quick summary This is a road cycling experience Flights are not included (Pescara is the closest airport and is

CONTACT WEBSITE: www.thecyclistsstudio.com TEL: 07802214832 Email: info@thecyclistsstudio.com

CREDITS

recommended, UK flights from Stansted) Transfers are included from Pescara to Abruzzo

BROCHURE DESIGN George Cudmore Abbie Cohen

Support vehicle/mechanic throughout

IMAGERY (VIA UNSPLASH)

Initial prices indications are based

Dmitrii Vaccinium

on 10 riders, twin rooms, and guests

Johannes Beilharz

bringing their own bikes

Mimmo Sigismondi

Guests are required to have their own travel insurance in place, including cover to cycling in Europe Full Ts&Cs are on our website.

Patrick Carr Cinzia Scurti Federico di Dio pf91_photography _ivann Di-Luca (multiple images)