POLKA DOT CYCLING Giro D’Italia Tour 100th Anniversary TOUR SUMMARY 2017 will be the 100th Edition of the Giro d’Italia and if you had ever dreamed of seeing this most iconic race, it’s an incredible opportunity to be a part of all the celebrations! Our Giro d’Italia Tour will dart in and out of the final 9 days of the race, catching exciting mountain stage finishes, the epic finish on the cobbles of Bergamo, and the deciding time trial that concludes at the Duomo, Milan. We’ve carefully designed the tour create what we believe is a perfect balance between catching exciting moments of the race through the stunning Northern Italian landscape as well as days away from the event to explore the type of roads and scenery you have been dreaming of. The Tour will be lead by former professional and director sportif, Steve Cunningham, who has lead tours at the past 8 Giro’s. Steve will provide you with all the insights into the race as well as be your personal guide and on-road coach to make sure you get the very best out of your cycling holiday. We’re thrilled to showcase many wonderful regions and climbs including the Passo di Gavia, iconic climbs in the Dolomites and the queen of them all, the Passo dello Stelvio 2760m. We’ll also take in a ride along the entire length of Lake Lecco to Lake Como. An ofcourse, there is the food, wine sand lodgings that will all be at our usual high standard. If you have booked an Early-Bird place on the tour, please finalise your booking within the next 7 days. With only 15 places available on the tour, this is sure to sell out very quickly! Ciao!

Dates: 20th May to 29th May 2017 Days: 10 Deposit: $1000 AUD Price: $5800 AUD Arrival: Bergamo/Orio Al Serio Airport Departure: Bergamo/Orio Al Serio Airport Contact: [email protected]

Telephone: +44 (0)1869 278 130 www.polkadotcycling.com

POLKA DOT CYCLING Giro D’Italia Tour 100th Anniversary TOUR HIGHLIGHTS AND SERVICES 

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Catch key stages in the final week of the 100th Giro d’Italia including Stage Finishes, Stage Starts and Mountain Action. Ride classic climbs including Gavia, Pordoi, Passo Sella, Passo Stelvio and many more. Experience beautiful riding along some of Italy’s most beautiful lakes including Iseo, Lecco and Como. Spend time in Italy’s finest alpine village, Bormio Explore beautiful Bolzano and the surrounds with the opportunity to see Oetzi, the world’s oldest iceman. Full on-road support including vehicles and guides to ensure all you have to think about is riding your bike and enjoying the Giro. Be a part of the 100th Anniversary celebrations on the final day in Milan. Flexible ride options each day, so you can choose to ride as much or as little as you like. Tour leader, Steve Cunningham (of procyclingskills.com) on hand to provide all the tour insights into the race and provide you with climbing and descending tips and techniques. Non-riding partners extremely well catered for with activities and sight seeing while your cycling partner rides. buffet breakfasts to charge you up for each day. Wonderful 3 course dinners included on many of the nights, including carefully selected regional wines. Bike mechanic support and full soignier service including baggage handling, dietary requirements and more with no request being ignored. On and off road photography taken by the team to capture your holiday. The Tour is guaranteed to depart.

Telephone: +44 (0)1869 278 130 www.polkadotcycling.com

POLKA DOT CYCLING Giro D’Italia Tour 100th Anniversary DAY 1

Welcome to Lake Iseo

20th May

You will be collected from Bergamo Train Station or Airport and taken to our hotel located on the shores of Lake Iseo. Once checked in, help will be on hand to assemble your bike or make final tweaks to your hire bike. a chance go for a ride along the lake today ride making our way to an incredible nature reserve of Valle del Freddo. Renowned among scholars for the presence, at an altitude of between 350 and 700 metres above sea level, of a wide variety of plant species, which usually are only found at alpine altitudes. This is due to a specific micro thermal phenomenon, which consists in the emission of cold air from some "cold holes" or "mouths" in the ground. Lake Iseo is arguably the most spectacular lake in Italy that has been left in relative obscurity. Steeped in history with monasteries, Roman cities and ancient churches dotted around the lake, we know you will love your time here. Tonight we will enjoy a welcome dinner where it’s a chance to get to know your fellow travellers, meet the team and talk about the holiday ahead. RIDE

up to 50km

up to 500vm

STAY Lake Iseo

DAY 2

Stage 16 into Bergamo

21st May

The day has finally arrived, where you will experience all the colour and thrills of the Giro d’Italia! Bergamo has a long history with the Giro, having featured countless times over the past 100 years, so it’s fitting for the organisers to bring back a stage finish into the old town. perched on top of a hill, the stunning old town known as ‘Citta Alta’ is accessed by cobbles and today’s finish will resemble that of a 1 day classic, geared to be one of the most exciting stage finished on the entire race. But first, we will enjoy a ride to Bergamo including a wonderful back-road climb to and through prehistoric villages dating back to the Middle Ages. Welcome to the Giro! RIDE

50km to 100km 1000 to 2000vm

STAY Lake Iseo

Telephone: +44 (0)1869 278 130 www.polkadotcycling.com

POLKA DOT CYCLING Giro D’Italia Tour 100th Anniversary DAY 3

Passo Vivione and Bormio

22nd May

Today is a rest day for the Giro as they prepare themselves for a handful of gruelling stages through the Alps and Dolomites over the coming days. But while the pros hang their feet up, we’ll take the opportunity to get a taste of what lies ahead, riding up to 2 passes today, the 1300m and the more famous Passo Vivione 1827m. Like all days, we provide you with distance options with the more adventurous leaving from the hotel today, and others being drive to Clusone to begin the ride, so to same some energy for the climbs ahead! The Vivione & Presonala featured in a classic stage of the 2008 Giro that saw Alberto Contador stamp his authority on the race. Ending our ride in the ancient town of Edolo, we will make a short transfer by vans to the ancient alpine village of Bormio where the teams are also staying and to our deluxe alpine hotel. RIDE

70 to 110km

1800 to 3000vm

STAY Bormio

DAY 4 2017

Giro d’Italia Stage 17 on Stelvio

23rd May

Today will be a day many of you have been waiting for, to see the

Giro d’Italia on the slopes of the Passo dello Stelvio. The stage for the riders today is epic in every way, seeing them climb some 5000vm including the Passo Mortirolo and the Passo dello Stelvio twice! With our full conquering of the Stelvio taking place tomorrow, we will take the opportunity this morning to climb the other historic climb in the region, the Passo di Gavia 2650m. Retuning back to Bormio, get yourselves ready for a stage to remember, where you will see the peloton twice through Bormio including a thrilling downhill stage finish! Or you may like to ride the lower slopes of the Stelvio this morning and find a position to experience the all the Italian hysteria and see the riders both climb and descend! Whatever we decide, it’s a day that is sure to excite. RIDE

40 to 80km

TAY Bormio

1000m to 2000vm

Telephone: +44 (0)1869 278 130 www.polkadotcycling.com

POLKA DOT CYCLING Giro D’Italia Tour 100th Anniversary DAY 5

Passo dello Stelvio and Bolzano

24th May

After seeing all the action of the Giro yesterday and watching the riders suffer over the Stelvio, it’s now our turn to conquer this most iconic climb. Some 26km of road and 1650m of climbing elevation, it’s a bucket list climb for any cycling enthusiast. After a brief warm up, it’s onwards and upwards to the summit, taking in some 42 switchbacks on route, through the carved snow-lined road at the summit. We’ll then descend by bike or van, depending how you feel, and take in a stunning ride through the apple orchards of Tirol to the charming city of Merano. Welcome to SudTirol Alto Adige, where German remains the primary language, and where borders were fought and the valley returned to Italy at the conclusion of WWII. We arrive into one of our favourite town of Italy, Bolzano with it’s architectural appearance mixed between Austrian and Italian, we will enjoy the next 3 nights in our 4 star hotel nestled on the edge of the old town. RIDE

50 to 110km 1650m to 2000vm

STAY Bolzano

DAY 6

Giro Stage 18 and Dolomites

25th May

We return to the action of the Giro and with the backdrop of the World Unesco Heritage Dolomites as our backdrop, you could say this is going to be your pinnacle day on the bike! The Dolomites are unlike any part of the European Alps, one a choral reef, the formations through lifting and erosion have created some of the most dramatic mountain landscapes on the globe. The chance to see both the Giro and to ride some iconic passes today, including the Passo Sella, Pordoi and Gardener, with thousand of other cyclists will indeed be a magical day on the bike. We will return to Bolzano by van or bike and enjoy the atmosphere in the old town. RIDE

50 to 90km

STAY Bolzano

1000 to 2500vm

Telephone: +44 (0)1869 278 130 www.polkadotcycling.com

POLKA DOT CYCLING Giro D’Italia Tour 100th Anniversary DAY 7

Bolzano & Surrounds

26th May

Enjoy a well-deserved rest day off the bike today after having conquered so many great climbs over the last few days. For those that are looking for a pedal this morning, we will naturally put on a ride and tailor to suit. But for the majority of the group, it will be a chance to unwind and explore the shops, bars and restaurants of Bolzano and enjoy the regional produce and wines or indeed an Aperol Spritz or two. It is bustling and picturesque town with several impressive town squares filled with busy shoppers and outdoor markets. A sightseeing must is in the museum containing the "iceman" Otzi, the oldest preserved human and we’ll be delighted to direct you there. Perhaps also take one of three cable cars that leave from town, up to the mountain woodlands and meadows to above 1000m with incredible panoramic views of the Dolomites. RIDE Rest day or short ride STAY Bolzano

DAY 8

Giro Stage 20 Finish in Asiago

27th May

We bid farewell Bolzano today but we’re sure it wont be your last visit to this beautiful town. We return to the Giro action today to catch the thrilling conclusion of the race in the southern Dolomites and the village of Asiago. We depart by bike from Trento, riding along Lago di Caldonazzo, Carbonare and Chieza, it’s a stunning ride on smooth valley roads with gradual climbs and descents dotted along the way. Arriving into Asiago, the town will be full of Giro colour and excitement and where the eventual winner of the Giro d’Italia is expected to be known. A transfer to the heart of Verona will follow where we’ll enjoy a dinner by the famous Arena di Verona 1st Century RIDE

up to 80km and up to 1500m

STAY

Verona

Telephone: +44 (0)1869 278 130 www.polkadotcycling.com

POLKA DOT CYCLING Giro D’Italia Tour 100th Anniversary DAY 9

Milan and Time Trial

28th May

Today is the finale of the Giro and you will have the chance to be taken into the heart of Milan to see all the action. It’s a deciding Time Trial today, a 28km dash from Monza to Milan, and unlike many final stages in the Grand Tours, this is far from a Parade Stage! Find a place over the final kilometre of the event and see the riders flash by one at a time, or just nestle into a nearby café, watch the action on the tv and poke your head out from time to time to hear that beautiful sound of disc wheels flashing by. For those who would like to relax away from Milan today, depending on numbers, we may also provide a ride option on our return to our hotel on Lake Iseo. Tonight we will enjoy a farewell group dinner and share stories, reflect on great moments from the last 9 days. RIDE

Rest Day or ride option for those missing Milan

STAY

Lake Iseo

DAY 10

Buon Viaggio

28th May

Today we bid you farewell to what has been an amazing tour. The team will be on-hand to provide all the assistance you need to disassemble your bike and remove your items from our hire bike, together with providing you assistance in transferring to your onward destination. Transfers will be arranged to Bergamo Train and Airport and for those departing from Milan Malpensa today, we will also make a special transfer as needed. For those with a late departure today, we will also put on a short ride along the lake this morning. You may choose to extend your stay in Milan or surrounds and we would be delighted to help with recommendations with your onward plans. We hope you have enjoyed reading through the itinerary, which will take you on an incredible journey through Northern Italy. For more details and to finalise your booking on this exclusive tour, please read through the following details.

Telephone: +44 (0)1869 278 130 www.polkadotcycling.com

POLKA DOT CYCLING

Telephone: +44 (0)1869 278 130 www.polkadotcycling.com

Giro D’Italia Tour 100th Anniversary AM I FIT ENOUGH? The French Alps are a beautiful mountain-scape with very dramatic profiles. The climbs are mostly longer, with shallower inclines, but there are a few punchy climbs to offer a challenge, with plenty of flats and descents too. This means that a reasonable level of fitness would help you get the most enjoyment from this trip. If you have any concerns regarding your health please contact your physician and if you wish to talk to us about this issue, please call or email us. If you are struggling to handle the riding we will encourage you to make use of the minivans that is what they are for. We reserve the right to make alterations to the route if we have concerns regarding your health and safety. During the week, we are intending for you to have an enjoyable tour, not go home in a heap!

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NAVIGATION Due to our insistence that our guides cycle on the road with our customers, offer support and advice, they are also able to help you navigate the routes. This means minimal effort on your part to stay on track. We also make sure to provide the routes on downloadable Garmin files and we also have daily hand-outs with route profiles, maps and directions to help you, just in case. This also will have the lead guide’s phone number so you can always contact them whilst out on the road, if needed.

TRAVEL We ask that you all fly or train into Bergamo as our starting point on this trip. We also ask that you book your departure from Bergamo. We can arrange transfers to and from Milan Malpensa for a small supplementary charge, which is costed on a case by case basis. For this trip, we ask that you arrive before 5:30pm so that we can get you to the first hotel with enough time for bike set up, dinner and the briefing about the trip and next day.

Single Room Supplement … $1500 BMC Bike Hire … $500

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15 spots available making for a very personalised tour. All transfers including airport pickups and drop‐offs. 9 nights in carefully selected 4 Star and Superior 3 Star hotels. Daily regional buffet breakfast. 5 nights of the finest Italian cuisine including selected wines and beverages. 4 evening meals will be left open, giving you the freedom to explore local options that we will be able to recommend and make bookings for you. Full on-the-road support, using wellequipped vans to provide quality “ride food & drinks”, mechanical support, first aid, shower, changing facilities and Wi-Fi. Pre Tour coaching advice. Flexible lunch options with local cafes or Pro musette packed lunches. On and off the bike photography by the team, so you can take home those wonderful memories. A welcome pack including a Polka Dot Cycling jersey, printed maps and profiles, local information and more.

NOT INCLUDED  

Flights are not included in the price of the holiday, but we are always happy to make recommendations. Travel, Medical or Bike Insurance

FINALISE YOUR BOOKING To assure your place on this tour, please contact Niamh via [email protected]. For any further questions about this tour, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Steve either by phone (+61) 0061 (0) 0488 918 900 or email [email protected].

POLKA DOT CYCLING

Telephone: +44 (0)1869 278 130 www.polkadotcycling.com

Giro D’Italia Tour 100th Anniversary INSURANCE

GUIDES & SUPPORT

Travel & Overseas Medical Insurance is not included, but it is a condition of our booking terms and conditions. We want to make sure that no one has any issues that will cause them long term problems. And whilst we take every effort to make sure everyone is well taken care of, sometimes accidents do happen.

Polka Dot has a high standard for our guides, meaning they must be experienced in the mountains but also approachable for your needs. We have a standard 1:4 guide client ratio which means you will always have someone available to help you; whether with technical help, advice or just an encouraging word.

We would recommend an Insurance Group called World Nomad, which we like for their level of care and insurance. Visit their website using this link to get a quote.

We have support minibuses out on the road, which is fully stocked with carb drinks and energy food that will help you keep up your energy and give you a lift if you need it. You will never be far from someone to look after you.

ACCOMODATION

NON-RIDING GUESTS

We want our trip to be as comfortable and as enjoyable as possible, which means using quality hotels. We use mainly 4* and Superior 3* accommodation.

On our trips, we want to make sure that your guests have as much fun as you, without the cycling. We will have a guide on to take any of our non-riding guests on trips to places of interest, shopping excursions or sightseeing along the route.

We prefer to use more personal and authentic hotels on our trips, to give you a real feel for the area but we aim for comfort and quality above all else. We vet our accommodations very thoroughly before we use them on our trips. This means no nightmare hotels so you can get a good night sleep. Please note all prices quoted are based on two people sharing a room. We can of course arrange single occupancy at an extra cost of $1500/person.

FINANCIAL PROTECTION We take your financial protection very seriously. In accordance with "The Package Travel, Package Tours Regulations 1992" all passengers booking with Polka Dot Cycling Ltd are fully insured for the initial deposit and subsequently the balance of all monies paid to us, including repatriation if required, arising from the cancellation or curtailment of your travel arrangements due to the insolvency of Polka Dot Cycling Ltd. We have full insurance for this arranged by Towergate Chapman Stevens through HCCI International Insurance Company PLC.

We can then arrange for either a lunch for the non-riders, separately, or we can reunite the whole group so they can eat together.

FOOD On our trips, you eat like the pros! With the constant use of energy, we know that the best way for people to be comfortable and keep their energy up; they must eat "little and often". This means no bloating, discomfort and loosing energy. We carry a full range of snacks and energy drinks suitable for cyclists along with quiches, baguettes, fruit, cakes, sweets (like the infamous Haribo!), cereal bars, nuts, crisps and more.

BIKE HIRE If you would prefer to not go through the hassle of travelling with your bike, then we can arrange a hire bike for you for the supplement of $500. There is also the possibility of upgrades. Please contact us for more information on the bikes available on your trip.