"This is the best trip I have ever been on. The trip had pretty much everything I was looking for; great routes, awesome scenery, personal challenges, friends, friendly competition, good food and wine, comfortable casual accommodations, relaxed Italian culture, great support and well planned … everything in the right amount" - Chris Raiskums
DAY ONE: ARRIVAL
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Details:
You will be picked up in Venice at the airport or the bus station and driven to the picturesque Il Roncal winery, nestled amongst it's vineyards. After a short and easy ride to test the equipment we'll have dinner in Cividale at a traditional Italian/Friulan restaurant, where one of the samplings is a local cheese that will tease and amuse every taste bud. |
DAY TWO: TOLMIN
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Ride Description:
Today's ride will venture in to Slovenia on quiet picturesque roads that parallel the turquoise Isonzo river as we make our way to Tolmin, part of the stunning Soča Valley. Once part of communist Yugoslavia, the borders are now open and part of the European Union allowing for easy access with signs welcoming cyclists. We'll approach Tolmin on the Slovenian side, a pretty town to stop in for lunch, with the option of visiting the Tolmin Gorges or the WWI outdoor museum before returning on the Italian side of the border. Riders looking for an extra challenge can climb up Castelmonte to the Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin, a leg burner of a climb with rewarding views at the top.
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DAY THREE: GORIZIA
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Ride Description:
Load your suitcases in to the van as we ride from Italy in to Slovenia today. Our end destination is Bovec, a mountain town surrounded by the peaks of the Julian Alps, forests and glacial lakes of Triglav National Park. We can stop along the way for a white water rafting experience, or journey the long way in to Bovec for some additional sightseeing on two wheels.
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DAY FOUR: MANGART AND VSIC
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Ride Description:
Today we tackle the Mangart, a 20 km climb with breathtaking scenery. We descend the same way we went up and enjoy a flatter stretch through ski villages that will take us to the foot of the Vršič. The looming mountain views and cobbled corners are like nothing else in the world and a must for everyone's bucket list. The descent back to Bovec is parallel to the bright turquoise Soča River and WWI remnants. Every inch of this ride is beautiful.
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DAY FIVE: DEPARTURE
We will have our final goodbyes this morning at breakfast before people leave to return home or continue their journey. Transportation will be provided to Venice or Udine.
"I discovered cycling in the Friuli province of Italy during an 11 month bike tour of 2013 and the Cycling Centre camp will be my 8th return trip to the area since then. I have not yet traveled to every place in the world on my 250,000 kilometre journey so far, but to date Friuli is my favourite. I am more than a little excited to return.” - Nat Faulkner
