Held each year at the end of August, the Stelvio Bike Day allows riders to tackle the imperious <a href="https://cyclinghero.cc/climb/passo-dello-stelvio-from-prato">Stelvio pass</a> free from motorized traffic. And it’s not just the two famous sides of the pass, from <a href="https://cyclinghero.cc/region/bormio">Bormio</a> and Prato dello Stelvio that are closed but also the Umbrail Pass which joins the southern flank shortly before the summit. You will be amongst over 10,000 riders who will all be on their own personal journey to conquer, one, two, or even all three ascents of this formidable mountain. For those who choose just one, it has to be the <a href="https://cyclinghero.cc/climb/passo-dello-stelvio-from-prato">climb from Prato allo Stelvio </a>and its famous 48 hairpins, a challenge which is at the top of every rider’s bucket list. Rising to an altitude of 2,760 metres, though maybe the greatest monument to road building on earth, this is a serious undertaking for any rider but the reward of reaching the top is priceless.Mortirolo, Cancano, and the Gavia
The Stelvio is not the only famous climb in the Bormio area, and is also not the only one with a dedicated traffic-free day to take advantage off. You can fit all these into the same visit! Kicking off the climb-fest is the notorious Mortirolo, closed to traffic on the Thursday leading up to the Stelvio Bike Day. This is followed by the much more sedate Laghi di Cancano climb on Friday, which featured in the finale of the 18th stage of the 2020 Giro. Last but not least is the massive Gavia, a pass made famous by the race winning ride under heavy snowfall by Andy Hampsten in the 1988 Giro.

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StelvioYour route depends on your start town and how brave you feel on the day. The ‘easiest’ ascent starts in Bormio and travels north to climb for 20 kilometres to gain 1,480 metres of altitude by the time you arrive at the summit. The classic ascent is to be found on the north side though starting from Prato allo Stelvio and during its 25 kilometres, you will climb 1,847 metres passing through an astonishing 48 hairpin bends up one of the hardest roads to tackle in the world. If you start this side and want to turn your ride into a loop then this can be achieved by riding over the top then down the connecting Umbrail Pass into the Munster valley then back to Prato all Stelvio. Of course, if you really want a challenge you can set yourself the task of riding and descending all three climbs, but this is not a challenge to be approached lightly!MortiroloThere are a total of 7 options up to the Passo Mortirolo, but the most famous (and most soul destroying) is the one from Mazzo. With its 12 km at an average of more than 10% and sections at over 17%, the Mortirolo will be a true test of your legs and your gearing. Laghi di CancanoThe only paved route up to the &quot;Laghi&quot; is the 9 km one from Bormio. At a relatively civilized 7% average gradient, it is a welcome break from the other behemoths in the area. The latter part of the climb follows a sequence of tight switchbacks that can be viewed from the Torri di Fraele at the top. Passo GaviaComparably epic in length and meters climbed to the Stelvio, the Passo Gavia has two options for getting to the top, directly from Bormio, or via Ponte di Legno. Of the two, the 19 km and 1450 m of vertical ascent from Ponte di Legno is the harder and more famous, with a 7.4% average gradient and what can best be described as a goat track leading to the summit at 2616 m. There is also a rather dimly lit tunnel you will pass through on this side, so make sure you have at least a tail light on board to remain visible to others. The ascent of the Gavia from the Bormio side is definitely not easy, but it is longer and less steep with only a 5.7% average gradient over 25 km. The middle section after the ski village of Santa Caterina is where things get real, easing off again as you approach the spectacularly desolate landscape near the passo.

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Passo dello Stelvio from Bormio

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Passo dello Stelvio from Prato allo Stelvio

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Mortirolo from Mazzo

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Laghi di Cancano

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Passo Gavia from Bormio

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Passo Gavia from Ponte di Legno

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Stelvio Bike Day | Cycling Events Italy | CyclingHero

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Stelvio Bike Day

A relatively new entrant to the granfondo calendar, the Granfondo del Dragone takes place amid a backdrop of the stunning <a href="https://cyclinghero.cc/region/dolomites">Dolomiti Bellunesi</a> mountain range. Although it never exceeds 1100 m in altitude at any point, the &#39;Dragone&#39; will definitely put a burn in your legs, with a total of 2500 m climbing over its 108 km length. This is a low-key but challenging event with breathtaking scenery and a spectacular finish at the Nevegal ski station overlooking the town of Belluno.#takeonthedragon

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Starting from the town of Belluno perched above the Piave river, the route first take on the Vena D&#39;Oro climb to warm up the legs before descending to the Santa Croce lakeside. After leaving the lake at Farra d’Alpago, the real climbing starts with 8 km and 600 m of elevation gain up to the edge of the Cansiglio plateau and the town of Tambre Sant Anna. After returning to valley near Lago Santa Croce, it&#39;s time for the 6km uphill into Pieve d&#39;Alpago. From here some well-earned flatter terrain returns you back to the edge of Belluno, and the final 20 km push to the finish in Nevegal, mercifully broken into two parts by a short, spectacular downhill section after Valmorel. Finish line passed, soak in the views before descending back to Belluno. Bravissimo!

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Gran Fondo del Dragone | Cycling Events Italy | CyclingHero

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GF del Dragone

The Sellaronda is often described as the perfect bike ride. Joining the <a href="https://cyclinghero.cc/climb/passo-gardena-from-corvara">Passo Gardena</a>, <a href="https://cyclinghero.cc/climb/passo-sella-from-plan-de-gralba">Passo Sella</a>, <a href="https://cyclinghero.cc/climb/passo-pordoi-from-pian-schiavaneis">Passo Pordoi</a>, and <a href="https://cyclinghero.cc/climb/passo-campolongo-from-corvara">Passo Campolongo</a> it’s set in the most magical scenery on earth and for only two days a year (there is also a <a href="/special-event/sellaronda-bike-day-spring">Spring Edition</a>), it’s made even more special thanks to the removal of motorized traffic.Participation is free, there’s no need to register and you can choose where and when to start and also which direction you ride to cover the 51 kilometres of silky smooth tarmac. You can take all day stopping for a long lunch at one of the many restaurants and cafés on route or you could challenge yourself to ride the loop as many times as you can, and every permutation in between. There’s no fixed plan, no time to beat, no pressing agenda at all except to relish the immaculate scenery and absence of motor vehicles as you wind between the towering peaks of the <a href="https://cyclinghero.cc/region/dolomites">Dolomites</a>.

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You can start or finish where you like along the route, just make sure you go in the counter-clockwise direction (there are signs posted to remind you). If you choose to ride out of Corvara head west to start with the challenging Passo Gardena. 
Next on the program is the Passo Sella which places you in the grandest of arenas as you climb through the Città dei Sassi or &quot;City of Rocks&quot;. Over the other side of the Passo Sella its time take on the highpoint of the loop, the Passo Pordoi. After an unreal 33 switchback descent from the Pordoi into Arabba, the shorter Passo Campolongo is your final challenge of the day before descending back into Corvara. 
Climbing a total of 1637 metres the Sellaronda is no walk in the park but its far from impossible, it is just, &#39;the perfect bike ride&#39;.

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Sellaronda Bike Day Fall | Cycling Events Italy | CyclingHero

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Sellaronda Bike Day - Fall Edition

If there is one event that will make you want to relocate to Italy, it is the Gran Fondo Segafredo. Taking in both the Colli Asolani and the Prosecco Hills, the 105 km circuit will go by so many spectacular views of the <a href="https://cyclinghero.cc/region/veneto">Veneto</a> region that you might have a problem staying on the road! Although there are no seriously long ascents to conquer, the rolling vineyard landscape adds up to 1400 m of total climbing for the day. #piccolofiandreveneto

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The start line for the event is in the village of Posagno, the birthplace of the famous sculptor Canova. After a short downhill, the route crosses the Piave river and enters the Prosecco region south of Valdobbiadene. The first significant uphill of the day is into the town of Combai, nestled on the hillside of the Monte Cesen and affording great views of the Prosecco valley. Passing back over the Piave, the route enters the Colli Asolani area once again and reaches the next challenge of the day, the Forcella Mostaccin, a 3.5 km ascent to the ridge of the Asolani hills. Continuing westward to the edge of Bassano del Grappa, the route then starts the last uphill of the day in the shadow of the Monte Grappa, before returning to Possagno and a last still kick up to the impressive Canova Temple.

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Gran Fondo Segafredo | Cycling Events Italy | CyclingHero

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GF Segafredo

Devised in 2003 to celebrate the end-of-season wine harvest and the wonderful Italian gastronomy the Prosecco Cycling (also known as the Prosecco Gran Fondo) in the <a href="https://cyclinghero.cc/region/veneto">Veneto</a> region is a unique cycling festival that’s the very definition of  ‘La Dolce Vita’. At just under 100 kilometres long and climbing a modest yet still challenging 1550 metres along its route the event really is perfect for all abilities. With no fearsome high-altitude passes or savage gradients (well, not many) to contend with you can roll through the stunning scenery without a worry in the world. For those who like a bit of competition, however, although the complete route isn’t clocked there are timed climbs where you can put some extra effort in if you feel the need to burn a few more calories before sampling the fine food and drink available not only at the finish but all the way around the route.

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The start line for the event is in the center of Valdobbiadene from where you head into the rolling hills and Prosecco vineyards at the base of the Alps to the north of Venice. Never venturing into the high mountains the route links from village to village and vineyard to vineyard in idyllic settings punctuated by frequent little climbs. Of the many on the route four of them are timed, the first of which a 1400 metre ramp, arrives into the village of Zuel.Following this you can if you desire give it ‘full gas’ on the Muro de Ca’ Del Poggio, Via dei Colli and the Salita de Collalto, all within around 30 kilometres of each other. After this, if you haven’t already it’s now time to relax and complete the ride back into Valdobbiadene where seafood and wine will be served half way up the last climb to end a ride that is every bit as wonderful as it sounds.#thepeerlessone

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Prosecco Cycling | Cycling Events Italy | CyclingHero

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Prosecco Cycling

Happening the day before the Veneto Classic pro bike race, and using much of the same route, the VENEToGo bills itself as more of a social ride than a race. Indeed, the French (staggered) start and lack of overall results mean that there is no reason to ride hard, at least not on the flatter sections. However, the timed uphill sections (3 on the 80 km route, 4 on the 98 km one) offer ample opportunity to &quot;stretch your legs&quot;.Each group leaves the start near Bassano de Grappa escorted by a past great of the sport, with several culinary stops along the way to sample regional food and drink. The event has been conceived by the ex-pro Filippo Pozzato, who is also behind the cluster of pro cycling races happening in the region around the same time, including the Giro del Veneto, the Serenissima Gravel, and the Veneto Classic.What better way to wind down the summer cycling season? #ridethedreamland

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Starting at the Villa Ca’ Cornaro on the outskirts of Bassano, the route heads East towards the Colli Asolani. The longer option continues all the way to the top of the first timed climb at Paderno del Grappa before heading back towards Bassano, skirting the base of the mighty Monte Grappa.Crossing the Brenta river and passing through quaint Marostica, both routes next take on the Veneto’s best impression of a Belgian cobbled climb, the short but steep ‘La Tisa’. Only 300 m long, but averaging more than 15%, the uneven road surface of La Tisa makes it deceptively hard. Returning to flatter terrain for a breather, next on the program after passing back through Marostica is ‘La Rosina’, a classic climb of 2 kilometers at 7.4% that rewards with spectacular views of the area. The last timed section of the day is ‘Diesel Farm’, a vicious uphill climb amid the vineyards that will ensure you feel no guilt sampling the local delicacies that await a short distance after the summit. From here it is a relaxed last few kilometers to the finish back at the Villa Ca’ Cornaro,  where more food and drink await. Bravo e buon appetito!

Veneto Go event

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Short Route

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Long Route

Join the fun of an Italian authentic social ride, explore scenic routes, and register for an unforgettable experience!

Northern Italy Cycling Events

31 Aug 2024

Stelvio Bike Day

1 Sept 2024

GF del Dragone

7 Sept 2024

Sellaronda Bike Day - Fall Edition

8 Sept 2024

GF Segafredo

29 Sept 2024

Prosecco Cycling

19 Oct 2024

VENEtoGO Social Ride

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