This is the ultimate cycling adventure from Bergamo to Bormio, diving headfirst into the wild beauty of the Alps! Over four unforgettable stages, you’ll tackle three legendary climbs etched into Giro d’Italia history: the iconic Passo Stelvio, the breathtaking Passo Gavia, and the infamous Mortirolo, a true test of grit and determination. With towering ascents, unrivaled ambition, and the thrill of conquering cycling’s most epic challenges, this journey promises not only to push your limits but to reward you with spectacular scenery and memories that will last a lifetime.
This idea stems from the requests of some of our customers who would arrive in Bergamo, rent a bike from us, and then look for a transfer to Bormio. Bergamo and Bormio are nearly 200 kilometers apart—tedious if done by car. But those 200 kilometers can turn into an epic adventure when done by bike, especially when you add the legendary climbs: Passo San Marco, Mortirolo, Gavia, and, as the grand finale, the double Stelvio.
This isn't just a journey—it's a once-in-a-lifetime challenge for cycling enthusiasts, transforming a simple transfer into an unforgettable experience through some of the most iconic Alpine routes.
Passo San Marco, Mortirolo, Passo Gavia and Passo Stelvio: no other words are needed. These four climbs are among the most iconic and challenging in the Italian Alps, steeped in history and surrounded by breathtaking landscapes. They have been immortalized by the legendary feats of the greatest cyclists in Giro d’Italia history: from Coppi to Indurain, from Pantani to Merckx. Every pink jersey has delivered unforgettable performances on these famed peaks.
While our journey veers away from tourist hubs, fear not—we've handpicked four cozy overnight accommodations, each bike-friendly and surrounded by small restaurants serving delectable local specialties.
The Riders of the Storm is your ultimate opportunity to experience the very best of the Italian Alps. You'll tackle legendary ascents that have challenged champions, but also venture off the beaten path to uncover hidden roads, secluded climbs, and charming towns that few ever get to see. It's a journey of discovery and achievement, offering a deeper connection to the beauty and secrets of these majestic mountains than you could ever find on your own!
Arrival at Milan airport (MXP) or Milan Bergamo, transfer to accommodation and bike-fitting, .
Accommodation: 4-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast |
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First day of the journey is almost a 100km ride, with a 2200 in elevation, taking the route to the highest point, nearly reaching the 2000 meters of the historic Passo San Marco. This ascent is one of the many hidden gems of this trip. This pass is a lesser-known gem, but it offers spectacular panoramic views. Perfect for diving into the heart of the challenge. The road follows an historic trade route dug the Republic of Venice in ancient times, connecting to Switzerland and bypassing the territory of the Kingdom of Milan. You will discover a remote, desolate, and wild mountain, surprisingly impressive given its proximity to urban environments.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Good-bye to Morbegno and ride north-east towards the Alps. First part of the stage it’s on a very nice cycle lane which follows the Adda river. We are in Valtellina.
The cycle lane along the Adda river goes on for 40 km up to Mazzo in Valtellina, that is exactly where the world famous killer climb named Mortitolo: 12 km at over 10% on a narrow and twisty road. We take the Mortirolo from Mazzo: the classical climb made famous by Pantani during the 1994 Giro d'Italia. The Italian audience didn't know either Pantani or Mortirolo. Since that day Pantani and that climb broke into the Italian cycling imaginary: everybody wanted to be Marco and everybody wanted to climb that road. At the top of the pass, climbing is not over as instead of going down to the other side the route keeps on rolling to Trivigno, which is another unknown side of Mortirolo and finally down to Edolo for the last 20 km downhill.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Nestled amidst the majestic mountains of northern Italy lies the picturesque village of Edolo, a tranquil haven just a stone's throw away from renowned ski resorts like Aprica and Ponte di Legno.
Day 3 includes the magnificent Passo Gavia. A legendary climb, often linked to epic weather conditions. It’s more than just an ascent—it’s a journey through pristine, untouched landscapes.
Gavia entered cycling legend during the 1988 Giro d’Italia, in what is often referred to as one of the most grueling stages in the race's history. Battling freezing temperatures and a snowstorm, riders braved near-impossible conditions to finish the stage, with American cyclist Andy Hampsten seizing the pink jersey after an unforgettable ride.This mountain symbolizes the grit and determination of the Giro, a stage where physical strength meets mental fortitude. To conquer the Gavia is to step into the annals of cycling history.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast | Dinner
On the last Day icing on the cake: the Stelvio twice. The Double Stelvio is a cycling adventure of epic proportions, scaling one of the sport’s most iconic mountains twice in a single ride. Starting from Bormio, the climb to the Umbrail Pass takes you through a breathtaking ascent of switchbacks and alpine panoramas before descending into Switzerland's peaceful Val Müstair.
From Santa Maria, the challenge intensifies with the legendary eastern ascent from Prato allo Stelvio: 25 kilometers of relentless climbing through 48 hairpin bends to the summit at 2,757 meters. The Stelvio has been the stage for some of the greatest moments in Giro d’Italia history, from Coppi’s dominance to Pantani’s attacks. Tackling it twice in one day isn’t just a ride—it’s a tribute to the grit, glory, and grandeur of cycling’s most storied climbs. .
Accommodation: 3-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast | Dinner
Last Breakfast with a view to the marvellous sight in front of us Bergamo Alta, the old town, As evening descends, the cobbled streets of Città Alta come alive with the bustle of tourists and locals seeking the conviviality of bars and restaurants.
Drop of the bikes and farewell to next time.
While Lombardy is predominantly recognized for Milan, a global hub for finance and fashion, the region, in truth, has deep-rooted agricultural origins.
Northern Lombardy boasts some of the highest European mountains, shaping a distinctive mountain economy. In these rugged terrains, the culinary tradition aligns with the demands of mountain work—offering simple yet flavorful recipes with a high caloric content to fuel the demands of the challenging environment.
One wonderful example are Pizzoccheri: a traditional flat buckwheat pasta cooked with potatoes, cabbage, and layered with cheese and garlic-infused butter. And what about Risotto and Polenta? Once working class food, nowadays a delicacy. Lombardy is also renowned for its cheeses, such as Gorgonzola and Taleggio, which find their way into many dishes.
Indulging in rich dishes on our active trip is guilt-free, justified by the effort we put into every pedal stroke.
As we have one of the largest and best bike fleets in Italy, we are proud to give our guests the freedom to choose the bike that suits them best.
This brutal Mortirolo is conquered from Mazzo: the climb made famous by Pantani, the last Italian hero, who attacked and broke away for the first time on the hairpins of this mountain. It was the 1994 Giro d'Italia and The Italian audience didn't know either Pantani or Mortirolo. Since that day Pantani and that climb broke into the Italian cycling imaginary: everybody wanted to be Marco and everybody wanted to climb that road.
The Riders of the Storm kicks off in Bergamo and concludes in Bormio, making Bergamo the ideal starting point for your adventure. Conveniently, Bergamo Airport (commonly referred to as Milan Bergamo Airport) is a major hub with excellent connections, offering numerous daily flights from key airports across Europe and the UK. Alternatively, Milan’s Malpensa (MXP) and Linate Airports are also great options, both easily accessible from Bergamo via regional trains.
Milan Malpensa (Mxp) and Milano Linate Airports are also optimal choices for arrivals and departures. Both airports are well connected to Bergamo with regional trains. We can anyway arrange private transfers to/from the airports.
For added convenience, we can arrange private transfers to and from any of these airports, ensuring a seamless start and finish to your cycling journey.
The routes of the four stages are crossing a number of villages but each of the four long climbs are pretty isolated and in the wild. Which is an asset of this trip. But this involves that depending on the days or hours of the day, bars and restaurants might be closed.
We suggest to plan food stops in advance or make sure your food and drinks supply is sufficient. All the major climbs are pretty long, average climbing time dwells 1h45 to 2h15: better one more stop before than running short of food/drinks during the ascent.
Our guests will get a pre tour info kit that gives useful suggestions on how to enjoy our trips in full. Here is a quick selection that might be useful at this stage.
We suggest renting a bike with us. But feel free to bring your own bike. Just consider bringing along a selection of model specific spare parts (ie. derailleur hangers).
The hotels have a room for the bikes, and we will have a selection of tools to perform basic maintenance.
Bring along a wide selection of clothes, including some full arm jackets, rain coat, leg and arm warmers, overshoes: it's the Alps and the weather is never completely predictable.
Design team / HQ / Sardinia
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09.00Design team / Sicily
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09.00Design team / Lombardy
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09.00Via Vittorio Emanuele, 27
Quartu Sant'Elena, Italy
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Viale Costa Smeralda
@Galleria Dettori
Arzachena, Italy
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Via Vittorio Emanuele, 130
Letojanni, Italy
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via Finazzi, 6
Bergamo, Italy
+39 329 3781686
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Via Vittorio Emanuele, 43
Quartu Sant'Elena, Cagliari