Gavia Pass and Mortirolo Pass
Both the Gavia and the Mortirolo Passes are full of history and pain, being well known within the Giro. Yes, this is a tough ride, but it will reward you with epic views
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Italian Passes Cycling Routes
Over time we will build up a collection of classic Italian road cycling routes and climbs for you to follow. Each route will have a downlaodable gpx file, a route description, advice and a google map. All that you need to bring is a sense of adventure and some climbing legs. Italy is a fantastic place to take a cycling holiday, and we believe that our road cycling routes in Italy are the very best.
Cycling in the Italian mountains is no easy ride, so we will also be giving you useful information to help you to make the most of your cycling trips and to help to keep you safe. Italy is an amazing country and has so much to explore. Cycling In Italy is a passion and the Italian passes are some of the toughest but most beautiful road cycling climbs in the world. It’s an area that every cyclist should visit and our route information pages will help you to do just that. Take a cycling holiday in Italy and choose a route in the Italian mountains from our selection below.
STELVIO PASS & PASSO UMBRAIL
An epic day in the saddle, cycling the legendary Stelvio pass, descending into Switzerland before climbing back via the Passo Umbrail and a final 20km descent home.
MORTIROLO PASS & GAVIA PASS
One of the toughest days cycling that you will ever have in the saddle, but definitely a great days riding, tackling these iconic Italian road cycling climbs. Def a day to remember.
COLLE DELLA FAUNIERA CYCLE ROUTE
A legendary Italian passes road cycling route, this tough climb takes you on isolated steep roads, testing the best, and rewards you with epic views and a statue of Marco Pantani
PASSO LIVIGNO CYCLE ROUTE
Another tough but rewarding day cycling the Italian mountain pass cycle routes. The Passo Livigno is a long day in the saddle, but the memories will last forever.
TIMMELSJOCH / PASSO DEL ROMBO CYCLE ROUTE
A short distance, but filled with epic views, the Passo Del Rombo of Timmelsjoch is a road cycling route classic among the Italian cycling passes. Hairpins, switchbacks and a long descent to finish.
LAGO DEL NARET CYCLE ROUTE
A long day on steep mountain roads, isolated and away from things, but rewarded with epic views and an epic descent to follow. Lago del Naret is a classic Italian cycle route.
MARATONA DLES DOLOMITES
With all loops, an 80+ miles road cycling loop in the spectacular Dolomites in Italy, based on the classic sportive event the “Maratona dles Dolomites”
GREAT ST BERNARD PASS
A classic road cycling route in the Italian mountains, one of the highest paved roads in Italy and a great days climbing,the Great St Bernard Pass is a tough but wonderful days cycling in Italy.
COLLE DEL NIVOLET
A tough mountain climb in the Italian Alps, with limited refreshments but unbelievable views.The Colle del Nivolet is a classic tough road cycling route in Italy.
TRE CIME DI LAVAREDO
A Giro classic climb and one of the most beautiful of Italian road cycling routes in the mountains. .The Tre Cime is a classic and tough road cycling route in Italy that everyone should ride.
COL DE LA LOMBARDE
A classic cycling route in Italy, taking in one of the beautiful Italian mountain passes between Italy and France. An isolated but spectacular cycling route.
COLLE DELL AGNELLO
Third highest road climb in this area of the alps and a true classic road cycling route, taking in this mountain pass between Italy and France.
Cycling Tours In Europe
ALÉ Speed Fondo Bib Shorts
ALÉ Speed Fondo Bib Shorts
Let’s talk about bib shorts, comfort and pads. As I once said, a good pad is as important to the cyclist as tuna is to a cat, and to make it international … as important as winning the TdF is to the French – just saying.
Anyway, these shorts are Italian and that means quality and style. Made by high end brand ALÉ, they certainly haven’t let Italy down, as they come oozing performance sewn in and are stylish and modern.
Dealing with the chamois pad firstly, it would be easy for me to simply repeat the technical data, but I won’t do that because it won’t necessarily make sense. Instead I’ll tell you that it has a multilayered honeycombed design to the pad, with a thicker area of pad in the necessary areas, thinning out where not required to be so deep, and it’s super soft, body formed and beautifully stitched to ensure maximum comfort. What does this new honeycomb design achieve then? Well, in short it ensures the pad is lighter, softer, wicks and absorbs better and provides maximum cushioning without making you look like you’ve got a sponge down your pants. Having ridden in these on long, short, steep and wet rides, the pad has caressed and cared for me perfectly. They’re also now my shorts of choice for a sweaty roller session due to the absorption too.
Now to the rest of the details. These ALÉ Speed Fondo bibs use the latest material technicity to produce a super light, super strong and stretchy performance short. Working our way down, the upper area is formed from stylishly cut webbing panelling to keep the weight down, with classic wide brace straps made from elasticated material which is lightly dimpled on the inner to help keep it in place.
Minimal seams and compression are the key to these shorts and ALÉ have achieved this with well thought out panels that are superbly sewn. The lightweight fabric belies the strength, as ALÉ have used 41% elastomer content. It’s been well researched and the resulting garment fits perfectly where it touches with no sag or bag. In terms of technicity again, the material is designed to be hydrophilic on the inside, which means that it aids wicking and as I say, this short has become my training short of choice simply because it works and wicks superbly. The outer fabric is treated for water repellency and yes, in the rain it looks after you just enough. Better still, the fit and compression is so refined that the short doesn’t move and rub in the wet and I’ve remained comfortable in all areas … no details needed
The legs are cut stylishly long and have been finished off with a wide band of thicker elasticated material that simply grips very well. Styling and branding is subtle and refined and adds to the high end and modern look of these performance shorts. You can also use the. With several different jerseys, which is always a plus.
I wish that I could fault these bibs but I can’t. No, not even at the price point, because they’re excellent value for the money, will keep you happy, last for a good while and make you look and feel great. We added the Speed Fondo shorts to the ALÉ Dot jersey, using the Air summer glove and a pair of Speed Fondo socks, both of which proved themselves (see their specific reviews) and are also perfectly priced for the quality and performance level.
Yes, at some point winter will turn to spring and in the meantime you’ll be indoors and training hard. Italian brand ALÉ have produced a short that is ideal for this and most riding conditions, being perfectly styled and a short that could easily become a classic choice. Im off on the rollers – and I’ll be wearing these Speed Fondo’s.
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Pedalnorth Website2021-03-10 20:05:502021-03-10 20:12:41ALÉ Summit JerseyGavia Pass and Mortirolo Pass
Both the Gavia and the Mortirolo Passes are full of history and pain, being well known within the Giro. Yes, this is a tough ride, but it will reward you with epic views
Italian Passes Cycling Routes
Over time we will build up a collection of classic Italian road cycling routes and climbs for you to follow. Each route will have a downlaodable gpx file, a route description, advice and a google map. All that you need to bring is a sense of adventure and some climbing legs. Italy is a fantastic place to take a cycling holiday, and we believe that our road cycling routes in Italy are the very best.
Cycling in the Italian mountains is no easy ride, so we will also be giving you useful information to help you to make the most of your cycling trips and to help to keep you safe. Italy is an amazing country and has so much to explore. Cycling In Italy is a passion and the Italian passes are some of the toughest but most beautiful road cycling climbs in the world. It’s an area that every cyclist should visit and our route information pages will help you to do just that. Take a cycling holiday in Italy and choose a route in the Italian mountains from our selection below.
STELVIO PASS & PASSO UMBRAIL
An epic day in the saddle, cycling the legendary Stelvio pass, descending into Switzerland before climbing back via the Passo Umbrail and a final 20km descent home.
MORTIROLO PASS & GAVIA PASS
One of the toughest days cycling that you will ever have in the saddle, but definitely a great days riding, tackling these iconic Italian road cycling climbs. Def a day to remember.
COLLE DELLA FAUNIERA CYCLE ROUTE
A legendary Italian passes road cycling route, this tough climb takes you on isolated steep roads, testing the best, and rewards you with epic views and a statue of Marco Pantani
PASSO LIVIGNO CYCLE ROUTE
Another tough but rewarding day cycling the Italian mountain pass cycle routes. The Passo Livigno is a long day in the saddle, but the memories will last forever.
TIMMELSJOCH / PASSO DEL ROMBO CYCLE ROUTE
A short distance, but filled with epic views, the Passo Del Rombo of Timmelsjoch is a road cycling route classic among the Italian cycling passes. Hairpins, switchbacks and a long descent to finish.
LAGO DEL NARET CYCLE ROUTE
A long day on steep mountain roads, isolated and away from things, but rewarded with epic views and an epic descent to follow. Lago del Naret is a classic Italian cycle route.
MARATONA DLES DOLOMITES
With all loops, an 80+ miles road cycling loop in the spectacular Dolomites in Italy, based on the classic sportive event the “Maratona dles Dolomites”
GREAT ST BERNARD PASS
A classic road cycling route in the Italian mountains, one of the highest paved roads in Italy and a great days climbing,the Great St Bernard Pass is a tough but wonderful days cycling in Italy.
COLLE DEL NIVOLET
A tough mountain climb in the Italian Alps, with limited refreshments but unbelievable views.The Colle del Nivolet is a classic tough road cycling route in Italy.
TRE CIME DI LAVAREDO
A Giro classic climb and one of the most beautiful of Italian road cycling routes in the mountains. .The Tre Cime is a classic and tough road cycling route in Italy that everyone should ride.
COL DE LA LOMBARDE
A classic cycling route in Italy, taking in one of the beautiful Italian mountain passes between Italy and France. An isolated but spectacular cycling route.
COLLE DELL AGNELLO
Third highest road climb in this area of the alps and a true classic road cycling route, taking in this mountain pass between Italy and France.
Cycling Tours In Europe
ALÉ Speed Fondo Bib Shorts
ALÉ Speed Fondo Bib Shorts
Let’s talk about bib shorts, comfort and pads. As I once said, a good pad is as important to the cyclist as tuna is to a cat, and to make it international … as important as winning the TdF is to the French – just saying.
Anyway, these shorts are Italian and that means quality and style. Made by high end brand ALÉ, they certainly haven’t let Italy down, as they come oozing performance sewn in and are stylish and modern.
Dealing with the chamois pad firstly, it would be easy for me to simply repeat the technical data, but I won’t do that because it won’t necessarily make sense. Instead I’ll tell you that it has a multilayered honeycombed design to the pad, with a thicker area of pad in the necessary areas, thinning out where not required to be so deep, and it’s super soft, body formed and beautifully stitched to ensure maximum comfort. What does this new honeycomb design achieve then? Well, in short it ensures the pad is lighter, softer, wicks and absorbs better and provides maximum cushioning without making you look like you’ve got a sponge down your pants. Having ridden in these on long, short, steep and wet rides, the pad has caressed and cared for me perfectly. They’re also now my shorts of choice for a sweaty roller session due to the absorption too.
Now to the rest of the details. These ALÉ Speed Fondo bibs use the latest material technicity to produce a super light, super strong and stretchy performance short. Working our way down, the upper area is formed from stylishly cut webbing panelling to keep the weight down, with classic wide brace straps made from elasticated material which is lightly dimpled on the inner to help keep it in place.
Minimal seams and compression are the key to these shorts and ALÉ have achieved this with well thought out panels that are superbly sewn. The lightweight fabric belies the strength, as ALÉ have used 41% elastomer content. It’s been well researched and the resulting garment fits perfectly where it touches with no sag or bag. In terms of technicity again, the material is designed to be hydrophilic on the inside, which means that it aids wicking and as I say, this short has become my training short of choice simply because it works and wicks superbly. The outer fabric is treated for water repellency and yes, in the rain it looks after you just enough. Better still, the fit and compression is so refined that the short doesn’t move and rub in the wet and I’ve remained comfortable in all areas … no details needed
The legs are cut stylishly long and have been finished off with a wide band of thicker elasticated material that simply grips very well. Styling and branding is subtle and refined and adds to the high end and modern look of these performance shorts. You can also use the. With several different jerseys, which is always a plus.
I wish that I could fault these bibs but I can’t. No, not even at the price point, because they’re excellent value for the money, will keep you happy, last for a good while and make you look and feel great. We added the Speed Fondo shorts to the ALÉ Dot jersey, using the Air summer glove and a pair of Speed Fondo socks, both of which proved themselves (see their specific reviews) and are also perfectly priced for the quality and performance level.
Yes, at some point winter will turn to spring and in the meantime you’ll be indoors and training hard. Italian brand ALÉ have produced a short that is ideal for this and most riding conditions, being perfectly styled and a short that could easily become a classic choice. Im off on the rollers – and I’ll be wearing these Speed Fondo’s.
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ALÉ Dot Jersey
ALÉ Dot SS Performance Jersey
Every now and then we want to feel like a racer. It’s instinctive, remember when you were a child, speeding along with the wind in your face, riding the race and leading the peloton … then turn for home and be brought back to reality.
Italian clothing company ALÉ understand this and produce kit that allows us to keep dreaming. The design, the cut, the material and technicity all combine to bring a sense of achievement to us. We like to look and feel like a racer and the ALÉ Dot cycling jersey, combined with their Speed Fondo shorts totally embrace and encompass this. Never blame Italian sizing or cut for the fit; blame it on your poor diet and failure to refuse cake, because this kit from ALÉ typifies great styling and fits like its part of you. What shape and size you are is a personal choice – just saying. Seriously though, it’s like wearing a super hero suit that you can dream big in and which performs at the highest level.
Yes, make no mistake this is a performance kit, ergonomically race cut to fit perfectly and creating a sleek second skin feeling, maximising aerodynamics and comfort. ALÉ have worked closely with their pro teams to body map and utilise materials in the right areas.
They’ve used their MICROAERO fabric at the front for its super-lightness and elasticity (110g/m², UPF 50+). It adjusts perfectly to your form like a second skin and has superb wicking and ventilation, meaning that it also drying quickly when the weather requires or causes it to be necessary. Riding in North Yorkshire this has been tested and it performs as expected for a high end garment, proving to be super comfortable in all conditions, whether hot when you need the ventilation or damp when you need it to dry quickly.
For the back panel ALÉ have used their RAP DRY CARBON fabric with carbon fibers, next to its natural antibacterial properties, which they say promotes physical well-being by dissipating electrostatic charges and protecting the body from electrosmog and UV rays. All we know is that it fits and feels great and sucks away the perspiration, and also keeps the sun at bay. We often find clothing brands then neglect the sleeves and side bands, but not so with ALÉ. They recognise the specific technical needs, and have used 4 way stretch BIKE MESH which, thanks to its structure in polyester fiber in micro-section, improves breathability to leave the body fresh and dry, whilst adding to the superb close fit of the overall garment.
The easiest way to see exactly what ALÉ have done is to hold the panels up to the light, where you’ll then see the light thin mesh and be able to understand its performance purpose and design.
The elasticated arm band grippers are wide, soft and dimpled so that they don’t rub or cause discomfort, once again fitting to the skin perfectly whilst allowing the necessary movement. This is matched by the equally well designed waist grippers, made strong and wide and finished with a silicon band at the back. There’s three good pockets to stow away necessities and a crucial zipped pocket for keys and coins. The front zipper is strong and tough and hidden away to keep the wind at bay, with a cloth guard at the top to add further protection.
How does it all perform – extremely well indeed. ALÉ have placed this jersey at the keen rider who wants the best kit. It performs in the toughest of conditions and has the best of materials used in the panels, each with a specific purpose. It fits perfectly to the body, meaning that the rest is up to you. Design wise it’s stylish, modern and subtle, with the base charcoal/ black graduating in dots into the main colours: you can choose from blue, yellow, orange and white.
We really like this jersey and it’s performance. We’ve used it in all conditions, on short and long rides and in the rollers. It ventilates and wicks well, dries as stated and stays comfortable too. It’s a jersey you’ll be proud to wear and that’ll make you feel like a racer again and we all like to dream … don’t we 😉
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Gotra Levanto Italy
Gotra Levanto, Italy
A long climb through the forested hills of the Vara valley, on some typical twisting roads, leads to a summit with great views, before it’s down all the way to the coast. However, a small sting in the tail nearLevanto awaits, which is rewarded with a final descent. Then reverse the route home again on the same.
This being Italy, there are ample opportunities for refreshments along the way, then there’s time for ice cream when you arrive at the coast.
Distance and ascent: 120km and 5916 feet of climbing before return leg
Route
1. Leave Gotra on the SP523 towards Benonia, climbing steadily for 10 miles to 3200 feet, passing through Spallavera along the way. This excellent road, twists and turns in true european fashion, before the descent begins as you cross from Parma into Uguria, and the views open up across the hills.
2. The winding road then take you down at speed, with superb views all around. The twisting descent eventually evens out at Varese Ligure, continuing more steadily down, and passing through San Pietro Vara, where you take the road around to the left (SS566) signed towards Sesta Godano. Passing through Sesta Godano, continue along the SS566 until a small roundabout is reached, with a banked high wall to the right of the road.
3. At the roundabout (the 30 miles), take the road right, signed towards Levanto, with a few more twisting bends, as you make your way under the main E80 motorway and down to the coast. The Ligurian coast comes into view as you make the final descent. Signs for Centro take you to the tree lined streets, leading you to the coast. Time for a real coffee and some pasta before heading back up the route for a return leg.
Click below for gpx file
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