Biking The Boot – MTB Italy

Ride-Relax-Race

5 to 26 May 2012 (22 Days)
Cost - $4700 land only

The Outline

Ever felt like enjoying the sweet life on a mountain bike in Italy? Well in 2012 Huw Kingston is leading a 3 week trip that will start with a 10 day MTB tour crossing the country from Rome in the west to Riolo Terme in the East -  across the calf of the big boot if you like! We ride through Umbria, Tuscany and finish in Emilia Romagna. At the end of the tour we will relax for a couple of days before taking part in the Rally Di Romagna, a 5 day MTB stage race that Huw took part in in 2011.

Tempted? Read on...........

The Detail

Ride
5-17 May, Rome to Riolo Terme

Whilst many in the group leaving from Australia may fly together on the same flight, the full group will meet in Rome on 5 May. We’ll stay in this ancient city and rest for a day or so before leaving the city behind to enjoy 10 days and 600km of spectacular riding through the mountainous spine of Italy visiting old towns and villages and staying in comfortable hotels along the way. We’ll have the services of a hugely experienced Italian guide and a van will be carrying spares, our luggage (and, ever so occasionally perhaps, a tired rider!). The route will take us on singletrack, doubletrack and dirt roads through forests and mountains. Each day will see us enjoying some 5-7 hours on the bikes over distances of 50 to 70km. It is planned for one rest day/bad weather day planned within the 10 days. On 17 May we ride into the thermal spa town of Riolo Terme to...............

Relax
17-18 May, Riolo Terme

We have a couple of days to relax in this beautiful little town where it just so happens there is a large thermal spa and massage complex just near our hotel. Terme means Thermal in Italian! Riders from around Europe and elsewhere will start to join us in Riolo as we get ready to..............

Race
19-25 May, The Rally Di Romagna (www.rallydiromagnamtb.it)

In 2011 Huw joined 60 other riders for the second running of this challenging but beautiful stage race that wends a wild route through the Appennine Mountains over 6 days. For Huw’s account of the event, see HERE from the January 2012 issue of Australian Mountain Bike magazine. In 2012 he hopes you can join him for a race that will challenge but will not disappoint. The RDR heads out of Riolo and for the first 3 nights stays in mountain villages before returning to Riolo and 2 stages that loop from the town. The final short stage is in the historic nearby city of Ravenna

What’s Included:

•  Tour accompanied by Huw Kingston
•  Osprey Hydraulics Hydration Pack

•  Transfer from Rome Airport to hotel in Rome
•  2 nights Bed&Breakfast in Rome
•  12 nights Bed, Breakfast & Evening Meal in 3 Star Hotels and Agriturismo during Tour and before Rally Di Romagna. Snacks, drinks, fruit etc  during ride
•  Highly experienced Italian MTB guide for tour
•  Minibus support vehicle with driver for tour.
•  Race Entry for Rally Di Romagna (includes race organization, sponsor goodies, feed stations, tech support etc)
•  6 nights Bed, Breakfast & Evening Meal during Rally Di Romagna

What’s not Included:

•  International Flights to/from Italy
•  Lunches & Dinners in Rome -  5 & 6 May
•  Lunches & Dinners in Riolo Terme -  18-19 May
•  Transfers from Riolo Terme to Airport for return flights*
•  Drinks
•  Travel & Medical Insurance

*We have left this out as it will very much depend on where people are flying from and when as it is expected some people may extend their trip, others may be interested in the 24 Hour team event etc. We can organize airport transfers from Riolo Terme to Bologna (nearest major European link airport) or back to Rome.

Other Thoughts

Can I join for the Rome to Riolo Tour Only?

We recognize that some people may wish to enjoy the tour component but perhaps not to take part in the Rally Di Romagna. This may be possible depending on availability. Please contact us to discuss

Bookings

A non refundable deposit of $200 is required on booking a tour. Full payment is required 60 days before the departure date.

You must have your own unique email address to register, therefore no two entrants can use the same email address. If you do not have an email address, please visit a webmail provider, e.g. Hotmail or Gmail to sign up for a free email address.

Entry is via our Event Management System, where you will first register for an account. You will then be able to login and book the Tour.

Book your tour HERE.

Cancellations

15 days to 30 days before departure - 50% of tour price
14 days or less before departure - 100% of tour price

You are advised to take out Travel Insurance. We reserve the right to cancel any tour prior to departure in which case you will receive a full refund. The tour will go ahead based on minimum number of participants.