Colorado Rockies With top guides Frank and Dana! Colorado Natives Dana Geraghty and Frank Yantorno have been in Italy for 14 years, where they have guided over 100 tours each with Ciclismo Classico. Now, fueled by their continuing love for the Colorado high country, and inspired by Colorado s own, US Pro Cycling Challenge, they have designed an exciting new tour in their old stomping ground On the other side of the pond. This tour will coincide with the US Pro Challenge, (First and last stages) and will allow guests to not only see some of the stages live, but will also take us through some of Colorado s most spectacular scenery through which the race also passes. ITINERARY OUTLINE Trip Essence / Page 2 Day by Day / Page 3-5 Trip Preparation / Page 6 Bike Info / Page 6 Travel Insurance / Page 6 Terms & Conditions / Page 6 This tour promises to be a great ride, and a truly unique experience based on the 25 year passion and expertise of Ciclismo Classico and their guides. Colorado has a rich history of great cycling and World Class Bicycle Racing. The Red Zinger and the Coors Classic, have paved the way for The US Pro Challenge which has proved to be America s greatest race. The entire state comes alive with this event. Nothing could be more exciting for any bike lover than to share in the excitement that is Cycling in Colorado! Come join us in cheering our favorite European and American Pros, while following in their pedal strokes through the beautiful Colorado Rockies. If you love biking and beer, this is a dream tour! Ciclismo Classico 1-800-866-7314 info@ciclismoclassico.com www.ciclismoclassico.com 1
TRIP ESSENCE Ride through National Parks, mountain ghost towns and high alpine scenery Crisp clean high altitude air sweetened with pine and mountain flowers Bag a Fourteener on your bike, climbing to the 14,128 ft summit of the highest paved road in the USA, Mount Evans Experience the Centennial State with Native Colorado Guides Breathtaking rides over 4 high mountain passes Sampling organic and locally grown foods Experience live, 2 stages of the US Pro Cycling Challenge. A special VIP pass will get us up close and behind the scenes for Stage 1 WHAT S INCLUDED TRIP DETAILS 2015 Trip Date August 17 - August 25 Ability Level Intermediate to Advanced Summary of Daily Distances Day 1: 22 miles Day 2: 56 miles Day 3: 38 miles Day 4: 36 miles Day 5: 19 miles Day 6: 39 miles Day 7: 37/67 miles Day 8: 45 miles Day 9: Goodbye! Trip Price $4,500 Single supplement: $850 Bianchi Carbon Intenso bike rental equipped with odometer, map case, handlebar and seat bags and bike pump. Special edition Top Guide cycling kit and Ciclismo water bottle All Accommodations All breakfast, 7 dinners and 3 lunches Wine kitty Guided tour through a gold mine built in the 1850s Gold Rush Visit a Rocky Mountain Micro Brewery Full Van Support Cycling Clinics and Coaching Experienced Colorado Native Guides Airport shuttles to the beginning and end of tour VIP Hospitality Pass for Opening Day Festivities and Stage 1, Aspen Circuit Race, US Pro Challenge Dana and Frank have such a depth of knowledge to draw on, this made our tour great by enriching our experiences. - Jennifer B. Albuquerque, NM Have something else in mind? Also available as a private tour or... Create a custom itinerary with help from our experienced travel consultants! Contact Us 1-800-866-7314 info@ciclismoclassico.com Ciclismo Classico 1-800-866-7314 info@ciclismoclassico.com www.ciclismoclassico.com 2
AUGUST 17 ASPEN Daily Mileage - 23 miles Elevation - 2,109 ft Hotel - The Sky Hotel Location: Aspen www.theskyhotel.com Welcome to Aspen! Today you can either catch our 12pm shuttle from Aspen Airport or reach the hotel on your own to meet the group at 1:00pm for a light lunch. After intros we will conduct a thorough bike fitting before our warm up ride Today s ride is rather short, though it is among the favourite rides of local cyclists, and brings you an up close view of the dramatic Maroon Bells, the most photographed peaks in the Rockies. This shorter ride allows us to acclimatise a bit to the altitude in preparation for tomorrows much more demanding ride over Independence Pass. Meals - L, D AUGUST 18 LEADVILLE Daily Mileage - 56 Miles Elevation - 6,377 ft Hotel - Hotel Delaware Location: Leadville www.delawarehotel.com/ AUGUST 19 VAIL Daily Mileage - 38 miles Elevation - 2,952 ft Hotel - Hotel Austria Haus Location: Vail www.austriahaushotel.com Today s ride is one of the tougher days as we will climb past the ghost town of Independence, to the 12,095 ft summit of Independence Pass, one of the most classic of Colorado Climbs. We ll enjoy spectacular views over the Collegiate Peaks, as well as the Mount Massive Wilderness Area before descending 17 miles down to the town of Twin Lakes. A long stretch of flat and false flat in the valley will provide excellent views of Mount Elbert, Colorado s highest peak at 14,440 ft (second highest in the Contiguous United States), and its snow-capped neighbour, Mount Massive, which is only 12 feet shorter. Arriving in Leadville is like going back in time 150 years to the true wild west, as much of the architecture is still preserved from the Silver boom days of Doc Holliday and Baby Doe Tabor. We ll celebrate our first continental divide crossing over an ice-cold beer at a real local saloon. Leadville is the highest Incorporated city in the United States at an altitude of 10,152 ft. Leadville also is host to the highest running race in the world, known as the Race Across the Sky, and famous for The Leadville 100, a 100 mile, high altitude mountain bike race, considered to be of the world s toughest endurance races. Because Leadville is located so high, we will only have to climb 531 ft to reach the top of today s mountain pass (and our trips 2nd Continental Divide crossing), Tennessee Pass (10,424 ft). The pass has a gentle approach on both sides with few steep gradients and the summit of is nearly level. Most of the area is above the tree line, providing a panoramic view of the peaks of the Sawatch Mountain Range. This area was formerly a WW2 training ground for US Army ski troopers of the 10th Mountain Division. Much of today s route follows the narrow gauge, Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad constructed in 1881 to connect the then wealthy mining towns of Aspen and Leadville with Denver. Meals - B, L, D Ciclismo Classico 1-800-866-7314 info@ciclismoclassico.com www.ciclismoclassico.com 3
AUGUST 20 BRECKENRIDGE Daily Mileage - 36 miles Elevation - 3,370 ft Hotel - Hilton Double Tree Location: Breckenridge Duration: 2 Nights www.breckresorts.com/ lodging/doubletree-byhilton/overview.aspx Today s entire ride is in the heart of the White River National Forest. It starts off with a 14 mile, vigorous climb over Vail pass (10,662 ft). At the summit you will be rewarded with great views of the beautiful Gore Mountain Range. From the summit we will be mostly descending for 15 miles on bike paths past Copper Mountain Ski Area, through Ten Mile Creek to Frisco, and around Lake Dillon, Colorado s largest Lake. Breckenridge, at 9600 ft, was also an important mining town in the 1850 s but now is better known for its world class ski area, and the Breck Epic, a 6 day epic mountain bike stage race. AUGUST 21 BRECKENRIDGE Daily Mileage - 19 miles Riding Terrain - 2,017 ft Hotel - See August 20 Meals - B Today we will be smack dab in the middle of all of the action as todays stage of the US Pro Challenge will be an Individual Time Trial. Our VIP Passes will get us inside, behind the scenes, and up close with all the racers, teams, historic cycling personalities, and all the excitement as it continues throughout the day until the last starter (race leader) arrives. We will still have time for an optional quick spin up to the top of Hoosier Pass for a visit to the real South Park, Colorado. AUGUST 22 GEORGETOWN Daily Mileage - 39 miles Riding Terrain - 4,363 ft Hotel - Chateau Chamonix Location: Georgetown www.hotelchateauchamonix. com/main.htm At 9600 ft, we start off with a nice rolling, 10 mile warm up through the pine forests between Breckenridge, Keystone and Loveland Basin, three ski areas that give great importance to Colorado s Summit County. From Loveland we begin a 9-mile climb to Loveland Pass (12,020 ft). From the Summit of Loveland Pass, it s a super descent for 15 miles all the way to Georgetown. Though nick-named the Silver Queen as she became important as a silver mining town in the early 20th Century, Georgetown was actually founded during the Pike s Peak Gold Rush of 1859. Much of the 19th Century mining town architecture is still well preserved, and gives an authentic feeling of days gone by. Ciclismo Classico 1-800-866-7314 info@ciclismoclassico.com www.ciclismoclassico.com 4
AUGUST 23 IDAHO SPRINGS Daily Mileage - 37/67 miles Riding Terrain - 7,050 ft Hotel - Indian Hot Spring Hotel Location: Idaho Springs www.indianhotsprings.com Meals - B, L, D Today s ride starts with 14 miles of slight descending in the Clear Creek Valley to Idaho Springs, where we will stay the night, though the ride continues up the Chicago Creek road and climbs to Echo Lake State Park (10,629 ft), where your guides (and Bro in Laws) will prepare a picnic Colorado style. From here there is an option to descend back down to Idaho Springs, or Bag a Fourteener on your bike. Simply continue climbing for another 15 miles to the top of America s highest paved road and the summit of Mount Evans (14,128 ft). They say the Summit of Mount Evans is only where eagles fly and you will know why on the way up. Around Summit Lake at 12,800 we ll begin to experience some very unique high altitude tundra, a very hearty yet delicate ecosystem. Among the few living creatures seen at this altitude is the Bristlecone Pine, a bonsai looking dwarf tree, a species considered among some of the world s oldest living things. While pedalling at this altitude, you might actually hear these trees whispering to you. It is also common to see Big Horn sheep roaming the area, (you just might hear them speak to you as well). The Mount Evans Hill Climb is considered an Iconic climb among pro cyclists, since the road was first used for a bicycle race in 1962; one which has continued every year thereafter, except for only 3 years. Mount Evans is the highest mountain of the Front Range, and on a clear day it provides views over Denver and the eastern plains for over 100 miles. Tonight we ll soak our well deserving muscles in the healing waters of the famous Indian Hot Springs pools. AUGUST 24 GOLDEN Daily Mileage - 45 miles Riding Terrain - 6,233 ft Hotel - Table Mountain Inn Location: Golden www.tablemountaininn.com Today we travel on three roads officially listed as American Historical Scenic Byways; Oh my God Road, the Peak to Peak Highway, and The Lariat Loop historical Byways. These are also some of the favorite training roads used by many local professional cyclists. Leaving Idaho Springs, we ll experience a few short but steep climbs riding through Virginia Canyon over Oh My God Road to Russel Gulch, one of Colorado s most intact ghost Towns. After a bit of ghost busting, we ll continue to the former notorious mining towns, (turned Casino towns) of Central City, and Black Hawk. We ll ride part of the famous peak to Peak highway in route to Golden Gate Canyon State Park, where we ll start an incredible 15 mile descent through thick Ponderosa Pine forests all the way to Golden. We ll overnight in Golden later, though now we have to climb one last iconic Colorado climbs up to the top of Lookout Mountain. We ll take a short traditional stop at the grave of Wild Bill Cody, a.k.a. Buffalo Bill. That leaves us with our final, 8 mile, exhilarating descent into Golden. Tonight we ll roast and Toast our adventure with our new cycling buddies at the tour s final celebratory dinner. Don t forget to even up the USPC bets. AUGUST 25 GOODBYE After breakfast at the hotel we provide a shuttle to Denver International Airport. Ciclismo Classico 1-800-866-7314 info@ciclismoclassico.com www.ciclismoclassico.com 5
TRIP PREP GETTING TO ASPEN Fly to Denver Airport (DIA). From there arrange a one-way Flight to Aspen Airport (ASE). Take a Taxi from Aspen to the first hotel. DEPARTING FROM DENVER After breakfast around 9 am there will be one group Shuttle (45 minutes) to Denver International Airport to make you connecting Flight. TRIP INFORMATION Travel Agent: Valerie Wilson Call 1-855-780-2022 or E-mail ciclismoair@vwti.com Weather Description August: H:85 / L:57 FRANK & DANA INSURANCE, TERMS & CONDITIONS Insurance Ciclismo Classico will not assume responsibility or liability for any loss or damage of personal effects or for any injury or loss during the duration of the tour. Therefore, we highly recommend that you obtain travel insurance. We partner with: MH Ross Details as well as quick quotes: www.ciclismoclassico.com/travel-insurance Cancellations and Refunds All requests for refunds must be submitted in writing as soon as possible to Ciclismo Classico. Exceptions to our cancellation policy cannot be made for any reason, including weather or personal emergencies. There is no refund for unexpectedly leaving a trip early or arriving late. We strongly recommend travel insurance. Cancellation fees are determined as followed: Days before departure - Cancellation fee 91+ days - $300 administrative fee 61-90 days - Loss of the $600 deposit 45-60 days - 50% of the trip price 30-44 days - 100% of the trip price; you may apply 35% of payment to a future trip departing within one calendar year of cancellation date 15-29 days - 100% of the trip price; you may apply 15% of you payment to a future trip departing within one calendar year of cancellation date 0-14 days - 100% of the trip price Alterations to the tour itinerary We are proud to bring you the highest standard of quality on our tours. Sometimes this means modifications may be made to this itinerary. Naturally, we will notify you of any changes that may affect your arrival, departure or lodging. BIKE INFORMATION Each bike comes with: Ciclismo Classico water bottle Two large water bottle holders Map holder on handlebars Handlebar bag to carry your camera and other small essentials Tire pump Odometer/speedometer cycle computer Combination bike lock Card with your tour leaders mobile phone numbers Bianchi Carbon Intenso Ciclismo Classico 1-800-866-7314 info@ciclismoclassico.com www.ciclismoclassico.com 6