Day 1 - Welcome and insight Italian design
Pick up of guests at Milan Linate / Milan Malpensa airport / Milan central station between 14.00 and 15.00 o’clock on Thursday*. Transfer to the partner Rizoma, which is an Italian design company, for a welcome-drink and for the weekend briefing. Metropolitan bikes testing before the arrival at the Mandarin Hotel, accommodation in the rooms and dinner at the hotel lakeside restaurant.
Meals: dinner
Destination: Lake Como
Bike itinerary: test drive
Accomodation: Hotel Mandarin or similar ones in case of overbooking
* Both pick-up and dropp-off services out from scheduled range time are also guaranteed with an additional cost which will be communicated on request: we kindly ask our guests to advise us in right advance for organizational reasons.
Day 2 - The mythes of Lombard cycling
Great Breakfast in hotel, bicycles fine-tuning for a challenging ride that will test your legs on some of Italy’s steepest ramps. You’ll begin along the Lake Como up to the amazing Bellagio, which you will cross aboard the Specialissime to enjoy the landscape from the gardens of Villa Melzi. Then, you will begin the climb towards the “Madonna del Ghisallo”, about 6 chilometers of hard climb that make usually a severe selection during Giro UCI worldwide cup “Giro di Lombardia”. Once at the top, a visit of the Ghisallo Museum will be a must. A short downhill and a sloping ground will lead you to the ascent of Sormano: a good warm-up for both your muscles and your mind, in view of the diabolical Sormano Wall. Over 300 meters difference in altitude along 2 chilometers track within the wood, where slopes often exceeds 23%. Once at the top, with heart in throat, you’ll begin the difficult descent towards the lake to reach hotel: there, a relaxing massage awaits you before an incredible seaplane ride with departure and arrival on the water, which will let you enjoy the beauty of Lake Como from the sky, hoping for a good weather conditions. Dinner will be on ground tasting several incredible dishes by on of the top local Michelin star restaurant.
Meals: breakfast, light lunch and dinner
Destinations: Lake Como
Bike itineray: about 80 km and 1500 meters (uphill) altitude gap
Accomodation: Hotel Mandarin or similar ones in case of overbooking
Day 3 - Lake Como from the sky
A good breakfast is important, especially when the day will be long and demanding. The first 30 km will be a spectacular bike ride on the west coast of Lake Como, crossing several picturesque villages on the lake such as, for example, Cernobbio. Then, the road will turn to the left towards the mountains uphill: here, the long climb to the Boffalora Refuge at over 1,600 meters of difference in altitude will begin. A regular ascent at the beginning, the slopes will become more and more challenging later until becoming a great challenge. The satisfaction of have conquered the summit and the beautiful lanscape will repay your efforts. You will stop in the refuge to taste polenta and sausage for lunch, then you’ll take the downhill road (well dressed) towards the west coat of Lake Como and get in the Riva motorboat to arrive to the hotel. Both a shower and a restorative massage will prepare you for enjoying the night. Dinner will be spent at another Michelin star restaurant of the surroundings.
Meals: breakfast, light lunch and dinner
Destination: Lake Como and sorroundings
Bike itineray: about 120 km and 1’700 meter (uphill) altitude gap
Accomodation: Hotel Mandarin or similar ones in case of overbooking
Day 4 - Milan, back in history
A last breakfast overlooking the lake, the new destination for the morning will be Milan. Our staff will take you to Milan where you will retrace the history of the city, from the Roman era to the magnificent one of Renaissance and Leonardo da Vinci, from the Gothic Duomo factory to the late 19th century Milan: you’ll ride our Metropolitan bikes, which are an authentic original expression of Italian design. Then, you’ll taste a light lunch with a magnificent view of Piazza del Duomo. Our staff will accompany you to the Milan airports, whose arrival is expected not before than 2.30pm
Meals: breakfast and light lunch
Destinations: Como, Milan and airport
Bike itinerary: roughly dropless 10 km
