Cyclists take note! This is a road bike tour offered at Lake Garda, accommodated in Garda Bike Hotel, which caters specifically to cyclists. Different guided excursions designed by local, expert guides, are offered each day. During the peak cycling season, three levels of rides are offered each day: Classic, Enthusiastic, and Epic.
From the lovely beaches dominating the southern shore to the rocky cliffs above the northern shoreline, the landscape is diverse and breathtaking. The climate also is diverse, blending both the Mediterranean and the alpine. The beauty of nature in all her splendor awaits you, this bicycle tour in Italy will prove to be an unforgettable experience.
Private transfer from/to Verona Valerio Catullo Airport is included in your tour price (available from 8 am to 8 pm). If traveling from other airports by train to Peschiera and taxi to hotel. Travel time from Malpensa Airport, Milan is 2 1/2 hours with one transfer at Milano Centrale. From Venice Airport, travel time is just over 2 hours with transfer at Venice Mestre. From Bologna, travel time is 2 1/4 hour. From the airport, you first take a bus to Bologna Centrale train station and then onward travel through Verona Porta Nuova and then onward to Peschiera del Garda.
Climate
The climate at lake Garda is best described as balmy and Mediterranean. This wonderful Lake Garda climate is due to the fact that the lake itself acts like a huge solar panel, and the mountains act as an insulator, keeping the heat in. Especially from May to October, the weather is generally warm and pleasant with lots of sun! Please check local conditions before your arrival! Average high/low temperatures in °F for the area: Jan 44/25°, Feb 47/27°, Mar 56/34°, Apr 62/40°, May 70/49°, June 77/55°, July 83/60°, Aug 82/60°, Sept 75/54°.
Recommended
You are required to wear a helmet at all times while riding. Bike shoes or helmets are not available for rental for hygienic reasons, so you must bring your own helmet and shoes. There are Kask helmets for sale.
Remarks
The Bici & family package gives you the chance to enjoy your riding knowing your family is well looked after and able to enjoy the hotel and the beautiful local area while you are cycling. There are so many things to do for the whole family and for all ages, so bring along your non-cycling family members.
Documents
Before you travel, please check your country's passport and visa requirements and the passport and visa requirements of the country/countries you plan to visit. For US citizens, the US Department of State website is a good source of information. The Country Information tab in the International Travel section provides details about passport validity, blank passport pages required, etc. For our other international clients, please be sure that you research your own country's travel requirements. It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure proper documentation.
*Important note: Beginning July 1, 2021, additional documentation from the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.
Bike rental
There are more than 50 bikes of various brands, models, and sizes. Choose your favorite, and we’ll do our best to assign it to you based upon your measurements and availability. During high season or when large groups are visiting, it cannot be guaranteed that the model you select will be available in your size. It is however certain that you will have a top-quality, well-maintained bike in your size, to ride during your holiday.
Please see pricing section for bike rental options. Insurance for damages is included in rental price, subject to a € 300 deductible. The difference in the daily rental fee among the various bikes in our fleet is based upon the initial purchase price of the bike. Rest assured that no matter which bike you decide to rent, you will be riding a quality Italian bike
Please understand that there will be no refund for any days that you choose not to ride. If you book for a week and then take any days off the bike you will still be billed for the full time you booked for. This is because the hotel allocates the bike to you at the time of booking and can not reallocate it.
Skill Level
This Lake Garda bike tour has a difficulty of varying ranges from moderate to very difficult. There are different levels of rides offered. Please see below in the Day to Day section for more details regarding distances, elevation information, and more. Distances range from 40 to 100 miles. Terrain ranges from moderately flat to very difficult climbs. There are a maximum of 30 cyclists per day in the “peak” season (May, June & September). Every guide rides with a maximum 8/10 cycling guests.
Where You’ll Stay
There are choices for your accommodations in Peschiera del Garda, the ideal base from which to discover the beautiful Lake Garda region : Enjoy Garda Hotel: The hotel consists of 42 rooms and 2 suites and come with a wide range of high-quality services in order to provide you with comfort and quality. Private balconies, large screen LCD TVs, free wi-fi, a safe for valuables, a large shower with a seat, premium bath toiletries, and much more. For your relaxation and entertainment, enjoy the beautiful garden with an open-air swimming pool, a common terrace with Jacuzzi, modern fitness room, and free city bike rentals. Enjoy Garda Hotel also has a large private outdoor car park to keep your vehicle safe during your stay. Hatelier Garda Home: Much more than just suites, these accommodations are stylish and private, refined but simple, just like an atelier, but with a hotel twist. The fully serviced studio flats or two-room apartments are the ideal solution for guests who like to be pampered yet be independent. With the hotel services offered by the partner Enjoy Garda Hotel, just 100 meters away, the staff will be within easy reach to cater to your needs.
What’s Included
Guided group, all Inclusive package
Overnight accommodations
Extensive breakfast buffet
Unlimited water with energy drinks, bananas, and sandwiches for the tours
Afternoon buffet after ride until 5 PM - includes starters, tasty hot dishes, bruschetta, pasta, salami, pizza, cheese, fresh salads, seasonal fruit and desserts
Dinner in our restaurant
Water with meals
Private transfer from and to Verona “Valerio Catullo” airport with reservation (available from 8 am to 8 pm)
Bike room video-monitored for 50 bikes, with alarm and equipped workshop and washing area
Daily tours with our guides 7 days a week (from Monday to Sunday included)
Tours with various difficulty and intensity levels
Our professional guides who will accompany you during the excursions
Mini-bus for mechanical assistance available for the most demanding itineraries (over 100 km)
Daily laundry service for your bike clothing
Laundry net
Possibility to ride on your last day: shower facilities and bag storage available
Immediate assistance and bicycle recovery service in the event of accidents
Gift: Garda Bike Hotel Musette with n° 2 ELITE water bottles “LOLI” 600ml by Garda bike Hotel and another "special gift" from Alberto and Nicola
Pictures: We will provide a selection of all the best pictures taken on your daily ride
Mechanic is available to help you (on specific days)
Dolce Vita, private guided all-inclusive package
Overnight accommodations
Extensive breakfast buffet
Unlimited water with energy drinks, bananas, and sandwiches for the tours
Afternoon buffet after ride until 5 PM - includes starters, tasty hot dishes, bruschetta, pasta, salami, pizza, cheese, fresh salads, seasonal fruit and desserts
Private transfer from and to Verona “Valerio Catullo” airport with advanced reservation (available from 8 am to 8 pm)
Bike room video-monitored for 50 bikes, with alarm and equipped workshop and washing area
Private daily customized tours with a private guide (CUSTOM PROGRAM in terms of length, altimetry, timing of the rides)
Tours with various difficulty and intensity levels
Daily laundry service for your bike clothing including free laundry net
Show drying facilities
Possibility to ride on your last day: shower facilities and bag storage available
Immediate assistance and bicycle recovery service in the event of accidents
Gift: Garda Bike Hotel Musette with n° 2 ELITE water bottles “LOLI” 600ml by Garda bike Hotel and another "special gift" from Alberto and Nicola
Pictures for free download: We will provide a selection of all the best pictures taken by our guides during the daily cycling
Bike mechanic (on specific days)
Family package available. Just ask.
What’s Not Included
Massage with masseur and physiotherapist (at an extra cost)
Bike rental: see options in the pricing section. Don't forget your shoes and pedals! Bikes include GPS front mount, 2 bottles, and 1 emergency tube and pump.
All-inclusive package: April 1 to October 31, 2020 Dolce Vita package: March 1 to October 31, 2020
Minimum stay of 3 nights
Day-To-Day Itinerary
Each day, there are three daily rides to choose from, scaled for pace, distance, and level of climbing. You can feel free to change your ride level from day to day. However, we encourage you to know your abilities and think about how you ride at home when selecting a daily ride. Selecting a ride most suited to your abilities will make for a happier cycling holiday.
Classic ride:
The Classic ride is forexperienced cyclistswho ride at amoderate pace, and are comfortable in various terrain, including longer hill climbs, riding in a group, and who are confident in traffic (though the routes take place mainly on quiet roads, cyclists do sometimes encounter some busier city and village streets).
The Classic ride will generally take the group on a 50-60 km (30-40 miles) rides with hills that might extend for 3 - 4 km (1.5-2.5 miles), and undulating terrain.
Cyclists should expect to be on the bike between 3 to 5 hours, including stops
Distance: max 50-70 km / 30-40 mi
Elevation per Tour: 200-500 m
Climb length: 5-6 km / 3-4 mi
Max. grade climbs: max 5-6%
Average speed on flat: 20-25 km/h / 12-15 mi/h
Enthusiastic ride:
The Enthusiastic ride adds just a little more riding challenge to the Classic Ride. The Enthusiasts will still ride the same roads as the classic ride, and see the same beautiful scenery, but they will get a few more opportunities to test out their cycling abilities on some longer and/or steeper climbs, ride at a faster pace, and take on a few longer loops to add more km/miles to their route. This is the most requested ride level.
Distance: max 80-100 km / 50-60 mi
Elevation per Tour: 800-1500 m
Climb length: max 10 km / 6 mi
Max. grade climbs: max 10/12 %
Average speed on flat: 25-30 km/h / 15-18 mi/h
Epic ride:
The Epic ride is available for the most serious athletes, who will tackle the longest, toughest routes, with distances ranging from 90-130 km, and typically at a pace of around 25-35 kph, depending upon terrain
Distance: 55 - 80 mi./90 - 130 km
Elevation per Tour: 1000-2200 m
Climb length: max 15 km / 9 mi
Max. grade climbs: max 15 %
Average speed on flat: 25-35 km/h / 15-21 mi/h
The above are the minimum levels requested to take part in the guided group tours.
Sample of a touring day for each group:
7:30 - 8:00: A hearty breakfast to start your day, with delicious choices and variety to please everyone – from salame to a chocolate fountain, and everything in between!
8:30 - 9:00: Final bike preparation and ride briefing. Don’t forget to grab a sandwich and banana for your pocket!
9:00: Ride departure along the ride 2 or 3 coffee/gelato stops, and of course, several photo opportunities.
Coffee Break before the start of the main climbs of the areas, meeting point at the top of each climb to regroup, and prepare for the descent
Ride into Verona, and start with a short climb to a fortress overlooking the city; ride through the cobbled streets, and view the famous piazza’s, churches and statues in the city; photo Opportunities in front of the Arena, and gelato stop in the famous Piazza Bra; ride along the Adige River; Verona to Peschiera: Fun race of 35 km. First to arrive buys the beer for the group!
14:00 - 15:00: Return, tired, but definitely exhilarated, to the hotel
15:00 - 17.00: Post-ride buffet, to rejuvenate and start to relive the ride with your new best friends
16:00 - 19:00: Relax by the pool, sightsee around beautiful Lake Garda or take a drive to Verona
19:00 - 21:00: 3-course dinner, al fresco as weather permits. Check the ride board - get excited for tomorrow’s adventure!
If your riding ability is slower and you are a beginner, we suggestyou book the special DOLCE VITA package with the possibilities to rent a new Pinarello Nytro roade-bike.
The Dolce Vita package offers individuals the chance to ride at a more leisurely pace than the group rides, and with a private guide. The guide can tailor each day's ride to your preferences for ride length, amount of climbing, etc. Because you have a private guide exclusive to you, you'll have more flexibility to stop along the way for some sightseeing, picture taking, etc. You can stop several times, including one lengthier stop for a full lunch in a local restaurant or vineyard during the ride, so you may be back later in the afternoon. The focus of the Dolce Vita package is on leisurely cycling to a destination, enjoying the local cuisine and relaxing in the Italian countryside and villages.
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Garda Bike Hotel was terrific. The staff could not have been more friendly and accommodating. The rooms are quite nice and the hotel is very well maintained. The food at the hotel is prepared with athletes in mind: healthy, low sodium, and quite good. Not only would I recommend this trip, I am an evangelist of it.
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Tour Reviews
Julie Richardson 4 years ago Verified Reviewer
Garda Bike Hotel was terrific. The staff could not have been more friendly and accommodating. The rooms are quite nice and the hotel is very well maintained. The food at the hotel is prepared with athletes in mind: healthy, low sodium, and quite good. Not only would I recommend this trip, I am an evangelist of it.
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