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London to Rome - Cycling Tours - Ride25

London to Rome

Uk, France, Switzerland, Italy, Vatican City

  • 2nd September 2016 - 22nd September 2016
    7:00 am - 9:00 am
  • 1st September 2017 - 21st September 2017
    8:00 am - 9:00 am

This is the ultimate cycling adventure!  Travelling from London to Rome by bike, seeing the world – and getting the badges to prove it!

Combining the first 4 legs of Ride25’s tours (London to Paris, Paris to Geneva, Geneva to Milan and Milan to Rome) this tour involves 15 and a half days of cycling 4 plus rest days in Paris, Geneva, and Milan) covering 1384 miles across 5 countries.

Departing from Central London, we will weave our way down to Brighton before heading across the Channel to pedal through France’s pretty countryside before arriving in Paris.  After a day of rest (or sightseeing) in Paris, we will continue our journey into France, passing through vineyards and Romanesque churches before taking on a challenging climb across the stunning Jura Mountains into Switzerland, before our descent into Geneva.  Here we will enjoy two days’ rest before setting off on the next stretch of our journey, starting with a flat and traffic free route followed by an exciting mountain climb up the Nufenen pass.   We will also pedal alongside some of Italy’s most beautiful lakes and climb to the the Madonna del Ghisallo, before arriving in Milan.  After a rest day in Milan, we will head back onto the road for the final stretch of our journey, pedalling through typical rolling Tuscan hills, vineyards and hilltop villages and passing cathedrals and beautiful historic buildings.  We will finish in the Vatican City.

View full itinerary

Duration

15.5
DAYS' CYCLING

Distance

1324
Miles

AVG Miles

85
Miles

Average Climbing

6920
FT

Duration

15.5 DAYS CYCLING

Distance

Miles - 1324
Av Miles Per Day - 85



Itinerary


Day 1 - London to Brighton
Day 1 - London to Brighton
Leaving the capital behind us, we will weave our way through south London's suburbs to the hustle and bustle of Brighton where we will stop for the night. Distance: 82 miles. Elevation gain: 4800ft
Day 2 - Brighton to Forges-les-Eaux
Day 2 - Brighton to Forges-les-Eaux
Our second morning begins with a quick cycle to Newhaven where we will catch the ferry to Dieppe. Our first miles on French soil will lead us through the Avenue Verte into Forges-les-Eaux where we will recharge for the night. Distance: 45 miles. Elevation gain: 1700ft
Day 3 - Forges-les-Eaux to Paris
Day 3 - Forges-les-Eaux to Paris
Waking up bright and early in France, we will begin our third day by coursing through the countryside before finishing with a memorable ride along the river Seine up to the iconic Eiffel Tower. Distance: 95 miles. Elevation gain: 5300ft
Day 4 - rest day in Paris
Day 4 - rest day in Paris
This is your rest day, so it's totally up to you what you do - whether you simply want to take a seat, rest your legs and enjoy a drink watching the world go by - or get involved in some touristy activities such as going up the Eiffel Tower or visiting the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre or the Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Day 5 - Paris to Sens
Day 5 - Paris to Sens
With the iconic Eiffel Tower behind us, we will follow the Seine out of Paris to the southeast to the historic Fontainebleau for lunch. Our route will cover lots of cycle paths along the beautiful river and through various forests. In the afternoon we will enjoy well-surfaced, fast roads and French beautiful countryside before staying in Sens for the night.
Day 6 - Sens to Semur-en-Auxois
Day 6 - Sens to Semur-en-Auxois
After an early start we will cycle along lovely quiet roads before stopping in Chablis. We will cover more peaceful roads after lunch before arriving in the medieval town of Semur-en-Auxois in the evening.
Day 7 - Semur-en-Auxois to Lons-le-Saunier
Day 7 - Semur-en-Auxois to Lons-le-Saunier
Up and out nice and early, we will follow the Burgundy canal before having lunch in Nuits St George. The afternoon offers fairly flat paths before arriving in the small Roman Spa town of Lons-le-Saunier for the night.
Day 8 - Lons-le-Saunier to Geneva
Day 8 - Lons-le-Saunier to Geneva
We will kick-start with a steep climb to get us limbered up for the day ahead. We will then cross the Jura Mountains into Switzerland with a seven mile long climb of over 1200m. A beautiful and fast descent to Lake Geneva will be the perfect end to the day before enjoying a well-deserved meal.
Day 9&10 - rest days in Geneva
Day 9&10 - rest days in Geneva
Enjoy two well-earned rest days in Switzerland's second biggest city of Geneva. Explore the Old town and take a selfie in front of the iconic 'Jet d'Eau' - or go for a gentle exploration on your bike - or simply put your feet up and relax!
Day 11 - Geneva to Sierre
Day 11 - Geneva to Sierre
Time to get back in the saddle again with a beautiful ride along the south side Lake Geneva before turning south along the Rhone Valley. We will then enjoy 50 miles of traffic-free, fairly flat cycling on good tarmac alongside the river - bliss! We will stay the night in the old town of Sierre.
Day 12 - Sierre to Airolo
Day 12 - Sierre to Airolo
We will leave Sierre and enjoy 30 miles of beautiful, fairly flat cycle paths before climbing gradually from Brig to Ulrichen. We will then enjoy a climb through the Nufenen Pass (the second highest mountain pass with a paved road in Switzerland!) before enjoying the descent into Airolo. It is possible to avoid the road from Brig to Ulrichen on a cycle path but the path is not suitable for road bikes in various places.
Day 13 - Airolo to Lake Como
Day 13 - Airolo to Lake Como
Leaving Airolo, we will enjoy a morning ride downhill into Italy and the Italian Lakes, going part way around Lake Maggiore before cycling along Lake Lugano and across to Lake Como.
Day 14 - Lake Como to Milan
Day 14 - Lake Como to Milan
Our day will start with the scenic route to Milan by cycling around part of Lake Como before climbing to visit the patron saint of cycling at the Madonna del Ghisallo. We then cycle to the east of Milan before the last 30 miles into the centre of Milan on a traffic-free cycle path alongside a canal.
Day 15 - rest day in Milan
Day 15 - rest day in Milan
Enjoy a day's rest soaking up the delights of Milan before your final stretch to Rome.
Day 16 - Milan to Piacenza
Day 16 - Milan to Piacenza
After departing from Parc Sempione, we will brush around the outskirts of central Milan before picking up the canal southbound taking us 23 miles out of Milan to Pavia. We then cycle along the flat Po plain including crossing the vast River Po before reaching the historic city of Piacenza. DAY STATS: 61 miles, 1,230ft total ascent
Day 17 - Piacenza to Bologna
Day 17 - Piacenza to Bologna
After leaving Piacenza we cycle through the flat plains of Emilia-Romagna in the Po basin. The area is renowned for it’s agriculture, cheeses, hams…. & Ferrari manufacture. We cover a long distance but there are no significant hills with practically no climbing all day. The highlight of the day is arriving in the stunning city of Bologna for the evening after enjoying the last flat countryside of the trip. DAY STATS: 108 miles, 2115 ft total ascent
Day 18 - Bologna to Figline Valdarno
Day 18 - Bologna to Figline Valdarno
Soon after leaving Bologna we start to get a taste for the day ahead – crossing the border into the rolling hills of Tuscany! We complete the two largest climbs of the Leg in the morning with lunch at a hilltop restaurant at the top of the 2nd climb at the Passadel Giogo. The afternoon involves more of the same but with 2 far less significant climbs. In the evening we stay in Figline Valdarno. DAY STATS: 90.9 miles, 9,448 ft total ascent
DAY 19 - Figline Valdarno to Orvieto
DAY 19 - Figline Valdarno to Orvieto
More rolling Tuscan hills as we continue through Tuscany and move into Umbria. One climb in the morning with two in the afternoon but nothing too serious with a peak altitude all day of 1,752 ft. Stay the night in the outstandingly stunning & dramatic city of Orvieto. Arrive early to enjoy roaming the medieval streets and take in the views. DAY STATS: 93 miles, 6,936 ft total ascent
Day 20 - Orvieto to Rome
Day 20 - Orvieto to Rome
Two climbs in the morning in the Umbrian countryside including the Lake Vico Nature reserve before having lunch and the opportunity for a cooling swim in Lake Vigo. After lunch we cycle through the national park and around Lake Bracciano before crossing the plains to Labaro and picking up a great cycle path that takes us almost entirely traffic free the last 10 miles into the centre of Rome and 400 metres from the finish at The Vatican. We will enjoy a night in Rome before everyone departs the next day. DAY STATS: 96 miles, 7,675 ft total ascent

What's Included


  • 20 nights’ accommodation in a clean, comfortable hotel (in Brighton, Forges-les-Eaux and Paris (2 nights), Sens, Semur-en-Auxios, Lons-le-Saunier, Geneva (3 nights), Sierre, Airolo, Como, Milan (2 nights), Piacenza, Bologna, Figline Valdarno, Orvieto and Rome).  All rooms will have twin beds and we will allocate you a room partner unless you specify who you would like to share with.  (You may select a single supplement in the booking process for an extra £1000 if you prefer not to share a room)
  • Ferry trip from Newhaven to Dieppe
  • Three meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) plus stops for coffee/cake. (NB: Lunch and dinner is not included on your 'rest days' in Paris, Geneva and Milan)
  • Support vehicle to transport your luggage (clothes and supplies) from each stage to the next
  • Back-up vehicles to provide you with medical help and any assistance should you need a rest
  • A digital map in the format of a .gpx file for mobile navigation devices such as Garmin
  • Customised, waterproof route maps including essential directions, pitstops and interesting information on the area.
  • Eight new, bespoke high quality breathable cycling shirts for use on your trip. These will be fully personalised for you and adorned with badges showing the number of Ride25 legs you have completed so far.
  • Daily fresh fruit and water in the support vehicles
  • Celebratory dinner in Rome
 

What’s not included?

  • Flights and transfers (please organise your own transport to get you to London and then back home again from Rome)
  • Accommodation the night before the tour commences
  • A Bike
  • A bike box
  • Personal insurance
  • Lunch and dinner on your 'rest days' in Paris, Geneva and Milan.
 

Find Out More by Calling the Ride25 Team on:

 Call one of the Ride25 cycling holiday team to discuss Ride25 cycling holidays, we can chat about dates, routes, costs, group deals and availability or just what bike is best for such an epic cycling adventure.

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