Nove Colli Gran Fondo

Location: Rimini, Italy

Guided by: Bespoke Velo

Duration: 5 days, 4 nights

The Dates:

Event: 18th May 2014

Accommodation Package: Thu 15th - 19th May 2014

Airport: Bologna

The Gran Fondo Course

Availability: Another Gran Fondo that's known worldwide, Bespoke-Velo have secured a number of Gran Fondo Entry and Accommodation packages, so there is no need to miss out on Italy's biggest event outside the Giro D'Italia.

The Nove Colli Gran Fondo, in 2014 will be in its 43rd year, and is one of the most popular in Europe and the biggest in Italy with 12,000 participants.

Nove Colli in Italian is nine hills, and its nine climbs now attract the biggest field in Europe for a mass start Gran Fondo. Starting in the Adriatic resort of Cesenatico, Cyclists come from all over the world in anticipation of what unfolds before them as they count off hill after hill until the finish in Cesenatico.

Whilst the highest point, Monte Pugliano, at 791m is no high mountain, at 9km long and 5.5% ave. and peaking at 12%, it's the constant undulations that make for an epic challenge, with 200km and climbing of 3,840m, the sting in the tail comes with hill number nine, the Gorolo, at 4km in length ave. 6%, max 17%, ouch.

Our accommodation for the weekend is south of Cesenatico, in Rimini, a large vibrant city right on the shores of the Adriatic, our stay couldn't be closer to the golden beaches or to the hinterland that make this region the cycling holiday destination of Europe.

Bike Hire: We can arrange a carbon bike for your week, the cost starts from €110 per week

So where do you begin?

Simply contact us, Bespoke Velo, we will help you prepare and personally assist your bespoke trip.

Tour Details

For this event we have included 4 nights accommodation, 3 evening meals, all transfers on the Thursday and the Monday, Transfer to the gran fondo and back to the hotel on the Sunday. Race entry for the Gran Fondo. Plus a musette full of race goodies to see you through the weekend.

Included:

4 Nights Accommodation
Private transfers between Hotel and Airport
Private transfer to the Gran Fondo start and back to the hotel 3 Dinners at a traditional restaurant
Race Entry
Musette full of race goodies, gels, bars and drink bottle
Secure bike storage
Full mechanical assistance

Not included:

Airline Flights, Lunches, 1 evening meal, Wine & Beer etc at Dinner

Booking Information

Max Number of guests: 10
Deadline for booking: 18th April 2014

Price Per Person:

£650.00 Single Room (including £200.00 deposit)
£550.00 Twin Room (including £200.00 deposit)

Tour Programme

Thursday 15rd May - Arrival

Arrival at Bologna Airport.

We will be there to meet you on your arrival at Bologna airport and to transfer you to our accommodation. Once you have had time to refresh yourself and unpack you will have time to prepare your bike and gear, we will be on hand for mechanical assistance if needed. If you are feeling like you want to test yourself a little before the proper riding starts there will be time for a quick spin, with a visit to the local bike shop, and coffee.

Evening - Group welcome dinner

Friday 16th May - Group Ride.

Today's ride will be a steady affair, we will join a local Gran Fondo squad and ride some of the course for Sunday's Nove Colli, the idea is to get a few kilometres in without to much strain. After a quick coffee stop, we get going again on our route before heading back to Rimini for a lunch stop. In the afternoon we will visit Cesenatico to collect our race packs, visit the Pantani museum and the race village.

Evening - Dinner at a characteristic restaurant near the accommodation.

Saturday 17th May - Group ride.

Our ride today will be around 100km, we head down the coast passing some of the best beach resorts in Italy, if not Europe, at Gabicce Mare we join the fantastic Strada Panoramica, all the way to Pesaro, here we stop for coffee, then head inland to Tavulia, the home to Number 46, and our lunch stop. Then it's a downhill run back to the hotel and some wonderful scenic views along the ridges back into Rimini.

Evening - Dinner, tonite you are free to organise your own.

Sunday 18th May - Nove Colli Gran Fondo

An early start for the departure of the Gran Fondo, we will have an early breakfast organised to give you maximum time to get you to the start grids. Then it is up to you as you ride the Gran Fondo, choose if you wish to 'go for it' or just appreciate everything just a bit more and take it easy on which ever course you choose, be it the Gran Fondo (200km and 3840mt) or Medio Fondo (130km and 1871mt) routes.

Evening - Celebration dinner with stories of how your experience of a fabulous Gran Fondo went.

Monday 19th May - Departure

Morning transfer to Bologna airport for the return flights home.

Thursday

NB: Please note all rides are subject to weather conditions, and there can be alterations at any time for safety reasons.

Tour Course and Profiles

Click map to view PDF enlargement