Biking The Boot – MTB Italy

4 May 2013 - 24 May 2013
Cost - $6500 Per Person Twin Share

-TOUR NOW FULL.  BUT AUTUMN TOUR NOW AVAILABLE.  SEE HERE FOR DETAILS-

‘I can’t believe what we’ve been experiencing and riding. I can’t describe the undescribeable, that singletrack descent was the best of my life’ - Phil Mathewson, Biking the Boot 2012

‘Great food, awesome riding, fine wine – what more could you want?’ – Jenny Caldwell, Biking The Boot 2012

‘Do this trip, it's awesome!’ – Richard Craig, Biking The Boot 2012

The Outline

Ancient culture, an ever shifting political landscape, Latin temperament, fine food and wine, design flair, gorgeous countryside, big mountains………..Why wouldn’t you want to mix it all up with some fun and at times challenging mountain biking?!
Following the hugely successful 2012 Tour, in 2013 Huw Kingston is again leading a 3 week trip that will start with a 10 day MTB tour crossing the country from Rome in the west to Romagna in the East. We ride through Umbria, Tuscany and finish in the Emilia Romagna region. Then, after a couple of days in the fascinating city of Venice, we traverse the magnificent Dolomites to finish in the mountain bike town of Riva Del Garda at the head of Italy’s largest lake.
To whet your appetite check out Huw’s latest Italy article in Mountain Biking Australia Nov/Dec 2012 and Australian Mountain Bike Jan 2012

The Detail

Stage 1 - Rome to Romagna and onwards to Venice

We will meet in the ancient city of Rome on 4 May where we’ll explore for a day or so. On 6 May we leave the city to enjoy 9 days and 450km of spectacular riding through the mountainous spine of Italy visiting old towns and villages and staying in comfortable hotels along the way. We ride through Umbria, into Tuscany and finish in the mountains of Romagna. We’ll have the services of our Italian colleague Marco, a hugely experienced and likeable Italian MTB guide. A minibus will be carrying spares, our luggage (and, 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 65km. We will have a day off the bikes in the middle of the route. On 14 May we ride into the thermal spa town of Brisighella. After a night here we will drive to Venice and stay 2 days/1 night to explore this famous city of canals and piazzas.

Stage 2 - From Venice through the mighty Dolomites

From Venice we drive a short distance up into the heart of the Dolomites to the town of Cortina D’Ámpezzo. The soaring rock walls and plateaux of the Dolomites are some of the most spectacular Alpine scenery anywhere in the world – home to skiing, climbing and ingenious mountain bike routes. After a day or so taking it all in and fixing any bikes that need some TLC we get amongst it for 6 days threading a 300km route through valleys and over passes for 6 days to arrive on the shores of Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy. We finish at Riva del Garda, a town at the head of the lake that is renowned as a MTB town. Riva is the finishing point for the famous Transalp MTB stage race and for the 2013 Biking The Boot tour!

What's included

• Tour accompanied by Huw Kingston
• Highly experienced Italian MTB guide for tour
• Wild Horizons cycle jersey
• Transfers:(1) Rome Airport to hotel in Rome (2) Romagna to Venice (3) Venice to Cortina
• 2 nights Bed & Breakfast in Rome
• 9 nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast in 2-3 Star Hotels and Agriturismo during Stage 1of Tour (Rome to Romagna). Lunch, Snacks, drinks, fruit etc during ride days
• 1 night Bed & Breakfast in Venice
• 2 nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast in Cortina
• 6 nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast in 2-3 Star Hotels and Agriturismo during Stage 2 of Tour (Cortina to Riva). Lunch, Snacks, drinks, fruit etc during ride days
• Minibus support vehicle with driver for tour.

What’s not Included:

• International Flights to/from Italy
• Lunches & Dinners in Rome (4, 5 May) & Venice (15 May)
• Lunches in Cortina (16,17 May)
• Transfers from Riva 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. We can advise on or organize airport transfers from Riva del Garda to Milan Airports or elsewhere. Riva is also only 20km from the main Italian train network.

Other Thoughts

Can I join for the Rome to Venice or Venice to Riva sections only?

This may be possible depending on availability. Please contact us to discuss.

How hard is the riding?

Biking The Boot is first and foremost a tour. We are in Italy to enjoy the riding and everything else that Italy offers. The route we follow is absolutely a mountain bike route with a real mix of tracks and trails. The Appenines of Italy and the Dolomites are mountainous and thus there is plenty of up (and plenty of down!). For any riders who wish to ride only part of a day there is always an opportunity to hop into the support vehicle that we usually meet at least once a day.

I'd like to do a race before or after the Tour. Any ideas?

In 2012 Biking The Boot finished with a 6 day stage race in Romagna. In 2013 we are not planning to include a race. However, if you wish to enjoy a spot of racing in Italy then we can happily advise on good ones to enjoy – whether a Stage Race, a single day Marathon or a 24 Hour race. For starters you should check out www.bikeandmore.it, run by our very good friends Bettina and Eugene, which shows a great selection of European events.

Bookings

A non refundable deposit of $300 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.

Cancellations

30 days + before departure - Full refund minus deposit
15 days to 30 days before departure - 50% of tour price refund
14 days or less before departure - nil refund

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.