Overview

Cycle 350 miles between these two landmark cities whilst completing two iconic cycling climbs. We start at Lake Geneva and head into the Swiss Alps, past the UCI Centre, continuing up and eventually over the mountains and their stunning scenery to descend into Italy and its magnificent lakes.

The ride culminates in an epic climb up out of Lake Como to the Madonna del Ghisallo; followed by a thrilling downhill approach to our final celebration in the fashion capital of Milan.

Start:
21 May 2022
Finish:
26 May 2022
Location(s):
Geneva, Switzerland / Milan, Italy
Trip duration:
6

Itinerary - 6 days

Day 1
Registration

We’ll meet in our Geneva hotel where we will check-in and register for the challenge. Here you’ll have chance to meet the crew before going to a local restaurant in the City.

Day 2
Geneva to Sierre

After an early breakfast we’ll cycle together to the edge of Lake Geneva and continue alongside the Lake for most of the morning. We will follow the lake up into the hills of Switzerland stopping at UCI headquarters for Lunch. Enjoy the fairly flat cycling alongside the river away from busy streets. With an afternoon of undulating hills we continue onto Sierre where we rest for the night, hardly noticing we’ve done 5,673ft of climbing. 98 miles (approx)

Day 3
Sierre to Mergozzo

Mountain Day! We Leave Sierre to head through the valley past the Pfyn-finges Nature Park on a fairly flat (few steep ramps to contend with) morning through small towns. The route then really starts to climb after mile 30, heading up the famous Simplon Pass. With a climb distance of 12miles averaging 6% this will be a climb to warm your legs. Upon reaching the summit we will have lunch and then descend into Italy! 82 miles (approx)

Day 4
Mergozzo to Como

Day 4 sees us skirting the beautiful Italian lakes with plenty of opportunities to sample local coffees and gelato. We’ll stop for lunch on the shore of Lake Maggiore. If the weather is nice, take a dip. After lunch, the route takes us through the Italian countryside past Lake Lugano before heading south bringing us to the edge of Lake Como, continuing into the city to end the day in Como itself. 88 miles (approx)

Day 5
Como to Milan

The final day of cycling, with a small mountain thrown in! We will leave Como following a road that twists up, down and around the edge of the lake to the glamorous town of Bellagio. Leaving Ballagio we start the climb up the patron saint of cycling at the Madonna del Ghisallo, shorter than the Simplon, but a famous climb that often features in the Giro d’Italia, this is a climb to enjoy! With a museum at the summit worth visiting, maybe you’ll even have time to buy some memorabilia or a new jersey? Enjoy a 10 mile descent before the terrain levels out to start the final leg into Milan; finishing at Al Duomo. In the evening we’ll enjoy a traditional Milanese meal in the city to celebrate our achievements. 91 miles (approx)

Day 6
Last Day

Today is yours to enjoy and explore Milan and make your onward journeys home.

Dates & Prices

Registration Fee

Non-refundable booking fee to secure your place on the challenge

 £199.00
Sponsorship Level

The amount you pledge to raise for your chosen charity

 £3,600.00

FAQ's

Is the trip for me?

Definitely! These trips are all fantastic challenges for anyone wanting to do something amazing for a great cause! There will be lots of like-minded people taking part who’re just as passionate about cycling as you are, all looking for the challenge of a lifetime and of course to meet new friends. Some people come with friends or family but most people come on their own so what are you waiting for? Sign up today for a fantastic experience and the opportunity to make lifelong friends

Is there an age restriction?

You need to be 18 years old or older to participant in our overseas trips. If you are under 18, you may still be able to participate but you will need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Before anyone under 18 is accepted onto a challenge we would need to have a discussion so you can make an informed decision on the suitability of the challenge. If you call us in the office we can offer this advice.

I've never done anything like this before, what should I expect?

Most people who sign up to our overseas challenges have also never done anything like this before! You’ll be well supported from the minute you sign up right through to the challenge itself, but it’s important you come with an open mind. Due to the destinations we travel to, things don’t always run as smoothly as they would at home so a relaxed attitude is the best in these situations.

How fit do I need to be?

You don’t need to be a fitness fanatic to do these challenges. The majority of people who take part in these events will be just like you and will not necessarily have done anything like this before. However to get maximum enjoyment from these challenges training is vital and we will provide you with a detailed training plan tailored to the trip you are going on which we strongly recommend you stick to. We will also be on hand every step of the way to provide training advice.

Will I be able to raise the sponsorship level?

YES! Once you have started you will find that raising the minimum sponsorship is easy and most importantly fun! We will provide you with a breakdown of examples of how to raise the sponsorship money in an enjoyable way and we will, of course, be available every day to help you with more ideas! You are doing something quite simply amazing so make sure you tell everyone you know, and before you know it you will be racing towards your fundraising target!

When do I pay my sponsorship money?

You can start raising funds for your trip as soon as you sign up and we are on hand to help throughout your fundraising journey. The easiest way to do this is by setting up a fundraising page online, you can then share this link with your friends and family. In order to pay the costs of the trip you need to have raised 80% of the sponsorship amount 12 weeks before the departure date. The remaining 20% is due up to four weeks after your return. We’ll be on hand to help you, as will your charity.

Can I just pay to come on the trip without raising sponsorship?

All our events are charity focused however if you would prefer to just pay the tour costs you can, we would invoice you directly for these costs 14 weeks before. You can make this payment any time up to this date, please just let your event coordinator know. In addition, we would encourage you to fundraise for a charity of your choice but without the target to reach.

How will I follow the route?

You will need a GPS device to follow the route for this trip, we will provide downloadable GPX files ahead of the event. If you don’t have a Garmin you are able to use your phone to follow the route, you will just need to download the Strava app. Just remember to bring a portable charging device with you to keep your phone charged throughout the day.

If you don’t already have one, we advise purchasing a device as soon as you sign up so that you can train with your device prior to the ride. This will help with your preparation and confidence when it comes to the challenge.

What do I need to bring?

We’ll provide you with a full kit list when you sign up to your challenge.  You’ll need a bike and helmet to take part but no other specialist kit is required, we strongly recommend that you use your own bike for both your training and the event itself, you will also need to bring your own cycle helmet.

What will happen to my luggage during cycling days?

Your main luggage will be transported for you each day. You will just need to carry the kit you need for that day including water, sun cream, snacks, camera, waterproofs etc.

How is my trip protected?

Skyline Events are acting as agents for the tour operator, Skyline Tour Operations Ltd, ATOL license number 10069.Many of the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. But ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services listed on this website. Please ask us to confirm what protection may apply to your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but all the parts of your trip are not listed on it, those parts will not be ATOL protected. Please see our booking conditions for information, or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate 

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