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Announcing Bike Rides For Ordinary People’s
2011 European Cycling Adventure
A
printable version of the itinerary and registration for is available
here.
Trip
Dates - Sept 11-17 FULL,
Sept 18-24 Guaranteed to run
Registration
deadline is June 15
This year we are going to Piedmont in
northern Italy. On these special tours, we travels as a community;
making decisions as a group. We can be spontaneous and adventurous and
also know that we have the support of everyone else. I call this
group self guided. We don’t have a local guide, but we do have great
maps and lists of places to visit. We are the guides and everyone
works together to make sure that we find our way. The roads here are
quiet and there are not that many of them, so no matter what, if we
follow the signs to our destination, we will be rewarded with great
sites and cycling.
About our Piedmont trip
Occupying a large area that borders on France and Switzerland,
Piedmont is the ancient dominion of the Savoys, the ill-fated royal
family who ruled Italy from the Unification in 1870 until abdication
in 1946. So that’s the obligatory history.
Piedmont is also a region where food comes first, with a host of
specialties in an area which boasts centuries’ old culinary traditions
and outstanding, top quality local produce appreciated throughout the
world. Fantastic wines, first-class truffles, sweet chocolate and an
artful kitchen attract gourmets from all over the world to visit this
region. Think the best of Provence, but you are in Italy.
The rolling landscape assures a wonderful experience, where we are in
the vineyards stopping for a leisurely lunch or strolling through the
numerous medieval alleys in the small villages. Cycling through
Piedmont will be a rich and rewarding experience!
Below are the important details.
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Dates are September 11th – 17th ( Sun. thru Sat.)
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The tour is limited to 12 people.
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Daily ride distances 24 to 34 miles
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Terrain is rolling hill suitable for an intermediate rider.
With a little training, almost anyone can do it.
Registration and Pricing
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You can register by clicking on
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Price per person/double occupancy is $1,575 (for single supplement
add $250)
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Please enclose $500 deposit with your registration form. Additional
$700 due April 30.
Full payment due by June 15.
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Refunds are possible up to May 15 (less $150 cancellation fee)
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Price does not include air transportation or transfers to and from
the ride start.
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In
the event that we end up with an odd number of people, the single
supplement will be divided evenly among the participants. We will
work out among ourselves how room are shared and assigned.
Trip include
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6
nights in charming 3/4 star hotels with en suite bathrooms
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All
breakfasts, 4 spectacular dinners featuring local specialties
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Welcome briefing and bike delivery
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Fully equipped quality hybrid bike
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Daily routes using detailed maps
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Route notes and sightseeing suggestions
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Luggage transfers (all you ride with is your bike and maybe a
pannier for a loaf of bread or things you purchase along the way)
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Emergency phone call support 7 days a week
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Trip does not include airfare or transfers to get to our starting
point.
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival in Alessandria-Sun. 9/11 or 9/18
The city of Alessandria is divided in two by the river Tanaro. Spend
the day wandering thru the city and visiting places like Piazza and della Libertà and Piazza Duomo with its wonderful neoclassical
cathedral. Before dinner, we’ll meet with our local host
to go over our trip packages and make sure your bikes are fitted
properly. Dinner is included tonight.
Note that if you coming from the US, Milan is a major airport with
frequent train service to Alessandria.
Day 2 : Alessandria –Acqui Terme (31
mi)-Mon. 9/12 or 9/19
We’ll cycle for a few miles along the Strada Franca, an ancient
road dating back to 1454. We’ll then will pass across smooth hills,
woods and small isolated villages where we’ll be able to taste typical
products and excellent local wines (Barbera and Dolcetto d’Aqui among
others). We’ll end the day in Aqui Terme: famous for its spring
waters, like the “Bollente” situated in the historical centre.
Day 3 : Acqui Terme–Alba (34 miles) –
Tues 9/13 or 9/20
We’ll ride through the famous hills of the Langhe, the countryside and
the vineyards as well as the splendid small villages of Montabone,
Rocchetta Palafea and Canelli. Today’s stage ends in Alba, home of the
most precious of the truffles, the Tartufo Bianco, and of the famous
“Dolcetto d’Alba”.. Dinner included
tonight.
Day 4 : Alba–Asti (24 miles) – Wednesday
9/14 or 9/21
A route through vineyards and along panoramic paths, will take us to
Asti in the heart of Monferrato. There, we’ll have time to visit the
historical centre with its famous towers, the romantic monuments and
the splendid gothic cathedral.. Dinner on our own.
Day 5 : Asti–Casale Monferrato (32 mi) –
Thurs 9/15 or 9/22
Perhaps we’ll take advantage of the hospitality of the wine cellars
and restaurants along the way, which offer an excellent eno-gastronomical
choice. In Monferrato we’ll meet the river Po, the longest river in
Italy Dinner on our own.
Day 6 : Casale Monferrato–Alessandria (28
mi)-Fri-9/16 or 9/23
Further cycling across green hills and cultivated lands. Passing
through the small villages on the right side of the Po river we will
return to Alessandria where the tour ends. When we arrive back in
Alesandria, there should be time for more exploration, to relax in a
café near
piazza and della Libertà and watch life at a piazza before our final
dinner, included tonight!
Day 7 : Departure - Buon viaggio! –
Saturday – 9/17 or 9/24
Departure after breakfast |
