Location: Riccione, Italy

Guided by: Bespoke Velo

Duration: 5 days (4 nights accommodation)

Date: Thursday 20th March - Monday 24th March

Availability: First race of 2014, book early as this is a popular season opener.

Gran Fondo means long distance or great endurance

Do you want to experience an Italian Gran Fondo?

A successful, enjoyable gran fondo experience is not something that can be improvised on the spur of the moment, it is the result of careful planning, and preparation, logistics, and of equipment.

This is the perfect Gran Fondo to start your Italian love affair and to kick off your year, it is one of the smallish, well organised, with picturesque scenery and some climbs to get your teeth into and with closed roads, even for the size of this Gran Fondo is a treat not to be missed.

This local Gran Fondo starts and leaves in Riccione. It takes place in March on usually the third or fourth Sunday of the month. Taking you through the wonderful hinterland surrounding Riccione.

The event allows you to ride through some spectacular scenery and visit towns and villages such as Morciano, Monte Cerignone, Monte Grimano, San Marino and many more. The Fondo has two routes which means you can choose the one that suits you according to your level of ability and preference.

Example Tour Programme from 2013

Please enquire for 2014 prices and arrangements

Thursday - Arrival

Arrival at Bologna or Ancona Airport.

We will be there to meet you on your arrival at Bologna or Ancona airport and to transfer you to our hotel. 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.

Evening - Group dinner

Friday - Group Ride

Today's ride will be a few easy kilometres, without to much strain. A quick coffee stop before we get going on our route, we will head south down to Strada Panoramica with its fabulous coastal views and undulating roads, then a stop at the village of No. 46, before heading back to base. Afternoon, we will venture to the Rimini Piazza to enjoy the culture and cafe of the village, or free to do your own thing.

Saturday - Group ride.

Today's ride will be an easy affair, the idea is to get a few easy kilometres in without to much strain. We will head out to see some of tomorrows course. A quick coffee stop before we get going again on our route before heading back to base. Afternoon to enjoy the culture and cafe of the village.

Evening - Dinner at a characteristic restaurant near the hotel.

Sunday - Gran Fondo Riccione

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 chose, be it the Gran Fondo (126km) or Medio Fondo (68km) routes.

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

Monday - Departure

Morning transfer to Bologna or Ancona airport for the return flights home.

Tour Details

For this event we have included 4 nights in a hotel in close proximity to the start area of our Gran Fondo, all evening meals, all transfers on the Friday and the Monday. Race entry for the Gran Fondo. Plus a musette full of race goodies to see you through the weekend.

Included:
4 Nights in a Hotel
Private transfers between Hotel and Airport
4 Dinners at a traditional restaurants
Race Entry
Musette full of race goodies, gels, bars and drink bottle
Secure bike storage
Full mechanical assistance

Not included:
Airline Flights
Lunches
Wine & Beer etc at Dinner

Booking Information

Max Number of guests: 12

Deadline for booking: tbc

Price Per Person:

£650.00 Single Room (including £200.00 deposit)

£550.00 Twin Room (including £200.00 deposit)

Bologna or Ancona