.jpg){kind=logo}
ABBRUZZO, ITALY
5th to 10th September 2024
Ciao
DAY 1
Upon exiting Arrivals at Pescara airport, Nicola, our local guide and the TCS ride leads (Spike and John) will welcome you to Abruzzo. Once your kit is in the support vehicle (that will be with us every day), its just a 30 minute drive to the hotel, in Francavilla al Mare.
After welcome drinks you will have time for some R&R, perhaps a walk along the beach.
If you are hiring a bike, it will be at the hotel and if you would like some help setting your own bike up, we are happy to help.
Each eveing there will be a short briefing, so you know what you have to look forward to the next day.
Francavilla to Costa dei Trabocchi
DAY 2
115KM, 1539M CLIMBING
The day starts with Breakfast and a briefing with our guest, Giro d'Italia winner Danilo DiLuca. Today we head away from the coast and into the province of Chieti, before heading back to the coast and a memorable location for dinner.
We will ride to Chieti Miglianico Tollo (City of Wine) and stop at a cafe for one of those proper italian coffees, before heading off to the medieval town of Crecchio where will take lunch. The days final leg takes us back towards the Adriatic and through to Fossacesia, San Vito Chiento perched high above the sea and the Costa dei Trabocchi.
We aim to arrive at the hotel by circa 4pm, so the next few hours before dinner are yours. Dinner, is in a unique Trabocco restaurant over the sea (see photo above).
Costa dei Trabocchi to Maiella
DAY 3
TO BLOCKHAUS OR NOT TO BLOCKHAUS?
On this day you have a route choice to make, will you take on the famous Giro d'Italia climb 'Blockhaus', or stay a little lower in the Appenine mountains? Route A is Blockhaus at 2000m and 91km, Route B is 1300m and 85km.
It’s a 9am departure and we are heading to a UNESCO National Park.
The first stop is a café in Guardiagrele, and an opportunity to try some local cake specialties. Next, it’s Pretoro, with an option to stop at the local craft brewery (at the foot of the climb). The first 10km of the main climb of the day averages 5% and after this your choice comes into play. Lunch is in a small mountain hut and then it’s a beautiful descent, down to the hotel.
Maiella to Castel del Monte
DAY 4
83KM, 2,034M CLIMBING
Once you have fueled up, it’s another 9am departure, this time in the direction of Gran Sasso. We ride alongside Bussin Sul Tirino (one of the cleanest rivers in Europe), pause for the pre-climb café stop, before taking the wonderful climb up to Calascio and Rocca di Calascio.
At the top, there is an opportunity to visit a beautiful ancient castle (one of the highest in Europe). It’s a “wow” place, where we will also take a deserved lunch break. Then it's an enjoyable descent and to our hotel in Castel del Monte.
Castel del Monte - Francavilla al Mare
DAY 5
120KM, 1470M CLIMBING
This is a morning to make sure you have a good breakfast, it's our longest distance and the last riding day. The pedals start turning at 9, as we ride through what the locals refer to as “little Tibet” and then it’s Lake Pietrnazoni, a high-altitude mountain lake with a panoramic position in the mid-plateau of Campo Imperatore (it is also known as the "mirror of the Gran Sasso" as the lake reflects the iconic image, of the Como Grande, in its water). You will want to take a pic or two!
Back in the saddle we cross a canyon that is famous in Italian western films. Yep, spaghetti westerns! After the tumble weed we head towards Forca di Penne for lunch, the its Cepagatii and our destination Francavilla and an opportunity to relax in the late summer sun (hopefully).
Arrivederci
DAY 6
After a leisurely breakfast we will head to the captial of the Abruzzo region, Pescara, for lunch on the seafront and the option of a stroll to the Di Luca bike shop (with some great offers for TCS customers).
After lunch, it's that time, you have ridden well, feel rested, relaxed and are ready for home. We will get you to the airport in good time for your flight and look forward to seeing you on another TCS Experience next year.
