Tuscany Traverse
From the Pisan Hills to the Argentario Coast: Through Chianti, Crete Senes
8 days / 7 nights
Group Size
Up to 12 guests
Location
Palaia
Language
Porto Santo Stefano
610 km
11,550 meters
What past guests say
“The camp was such a wonderful experience; I couldn’t have imagined anything better. The tours were perfectly tailored to the group’s ability, and we were able to explore the beautiful landscape on remote trails.”
Chrisi
Participant 2025 Camp
Ride the Territory
Our home terrain becomes your training ground. Based near Lake Garda, you’ll ride quiet gravel paths winding through vineyards, olive groves, and medieval villages — meticulously scouted routes you won’t find on any map. Each climb rewards you with breathtaking views, and every descent refines your technique. This is where Italian cycling culture meets pure gravel adventure.
Performance meets precision
Under the guidance of David, USA Elite National Team athlete and certified coach, you’ll take part in workshops focused on cornering, descending, pacing, group riding, nutrition and gear setupsupported by partners like Compex, Schwalbe, Sportbenzin and Powerbar. Learn to ride faster, smoother, and smarter through hands-on feedback and real on-the-bike drills.
Ride Together, Grow Together
Small groups, big progress. With 1 guide for every 6 riders, you’ll get personalized support and a welcoming community feel. Carolina, Carola, and David — your multilingual local guides — make sure every ride feels like a shared adventure among friends. Train hard, eat well, and connect over a passion for gravel that goes beyond the ride.
Your Hosts
We are all locals, live and train in this area, and we are multilingual!
David Van Orsdel
Coach, bike fitter and UCI Elite Gravel World athlete.
Speaks: English, Italian, Spanish, French
Carolina Diana Rossi
ciaocycling co-founder, guide and eating psychology expert
Speaks: Italian, German, English, Spanish
Carola Skarabela
ciaocycling co-founder, guide and vegan nutritionist
Speaks: German, Italian, English
Your Base: Mod05 Bike Hotel
Our home is the stylish and bike-friendly Mod05 Hotel, located in Sandrà, a quiet village immersed in vineyards. It’s the ideal base for gravel riders: safe bike storage, yummy breakfast, recovery-friendly rooms, and easy access to our favorite gravel routes. The hotel is close to both Verona and Peschiera del Garda, making arrival simple whether you’re coming by train, plane, or car. After long days on the bike, Mod05 offers a peaceful setting to unwind and share stories.
Day to Day Itinerary
We ride 70–90 km of gravel each day; depending on fitness and skills, we may split into groups led by different guides to keep the pace safe and fun for everyone.
Day 1: Arrival & Welcome
Wednesday
Riders arrive at Mod05 Bike Hotel, settle in, and meet the team — Carolina, Carola, and David — over an evening aperitivo. It’s a relaxed start to the week: we share stories, go through the camp plan, and get ready for the rides ahead.
Day 2: Borghetto sul Mincio & Pizza
Thursday
Our first ride heads east through rolling countryside and the postcard-perfect village of Borghetto sul Mincio. It’s a gentle start, perfect for tuning technique and learning to trust the gravel beneath your wheels. David’s workshop focuses on cornering and balance — key skills for the days ahead. Back at the hotel, we recover with authentic neapolitan pizza and an evening session on bike setup, tires, and gear, with insights from Schwalbe.
Day 3: Valpolicella & Bigoli Night
Friday
Today we climb into the vineyards of Valpolicella, where every turn rewards you with a view — and a new challenge. The focus is on descending: reading the gravel, modulating brakes, staying fluid and confident on loose terrain. After lunch, Compex hosts a recovery session, followed by our “Bigoli Night” dinner at Trattoria al Dosso, where we dive into Italian pasta culture, followed by a talk about nutrition for performance.
Day 4: Lugana, San Martino & Evening in Lazise
We turn south toward Lugana and the quiet lanes near San Martino. The landscape opens up into wide gravel ribbons framed by vineyards and olive groves. Today’s workshop centers on group dynamics — drafting, communication, and safety. After the ride, we shuttle to the lakeside Unesco town of Lazise for a free easy-going evening and optional dinner (not included) in a traditional local restaurant.
Day 5: Val del Tasso, Costermano, Bardolino & Pastrengo
Our final day brings everything together: endurance, control, and flow.We loop north toward Lake Garda, climbing through Val del Tasso and rolling across Costermano and Bardolino, where vineyards meet the lake. It’s a ride full of rhythm and reflection — the perfect mix of fatigue and satisfaction. We close with a relaxed lunch by the water before saying our goodbyes, showering at the hotel, and heading home a little stronger, a little more confident, and definitely dustier than when we arrived.
Trip Inclusions
At ciaocycling, every camp is crafted with the same care we put into planning our own rides. We live and ride here, and we want you to feel that — the ease of knowing everything is handled by locals who know the trails, the people, and the rhythm of the place.
- Accommodation at Mod05 Bike Hotel
- Nutrition:
- Breakfast
- Bars and fuel for the ride BY SPORTBENZIN
- Post-ride snacks
- Aperitivo dinner with drink
- Pizza dinner with beverage
- Pasta dinner with beverage
- Performance coaching and on-bike workshops led by UCI Gravel Worlds athlete David Van Orsdel
- Skills sessions on cornering, decending, pacing, and group dynamics
- Workshop on nutrition, recovery, and gear setup
- Daily guided gravel rides (70–100 km) with Carolina, Carola and David, local, certified and multilingual (DE/IT/EN) guides
- Vetted and scouted hidden tours
- Detailed gpx files
- Goodie Bag with camp essentials and partner gifts
- Transfer to Lazise on Saturday Night
- Safe bike storage room with wash station
- Hotel parking
- Transport to/from the Camp
- Bike rental
- Snacks, extra meals/drinks outside the planned program
- Personal travel or accident insurance (clients are responsible for securing their own coverage for the duration of the camp
- Beverages ordered beyond normal amounts
- Optional, single room supplement
- Hotel extras (e.g., minibar, tourist tax)
- Spare bike parts
- Any item not specifically mentioned above
Arrival & Departure Suggestions
By Air
The closest airports to our base at Mod05 Bike Hotel in Sandrà (Castelnuovo del Garda) are Verona Valerio Catullo (VRN) — just 20 minutes away — followed by Bergamo Orio al Serio (BGY) and Milan Malpensa (MXP). All airports offer easy onward travel by train or shuttle to Peschiera del Garda or Verona Porta Nuova train stations. From there, taxis and local buses are available for the short transfer to the hotel.
By Train
The nearest stations are Peschiera del Garda (15 minutes from the hotel) and Verona Porta Nuova (25 minutes). From either station, you can take a taxi or a direct bus to Sandrà.
By Car
Mod05 Bike Hotel is conveniently located between the A4 (Milan–Venice) and A22 (Modena–Brennero) highways. Take the Peschiera del Garda or Sommacampagna exit and follow signs to Sandrà. Free on-site parking is available for guests.
Travel Tip
We recommend arriving no later than Wednesday afternoon to fully enjoy the first evening together, and planning your departure for Sunday evening or Monday morning so you can make the most of the final ride and shared lunch with the group.
Questions? Be Our Guest!
Are bike rentals available?
Yes — bikes are available through Garda South Cycling and can be delivered directly to the hotel. Let us know when requesting booking and we can help.
Do you accommodate dietary preferences?
Of course! We provide options for vegetarian, vegan, and lactose-intolerant riders. Just let us know in advance.
What if I’m the slowest or the fastest?
Every group has a diverse mix of personalities and abilities — all are welcome. We do our best to accommodate a range of speeds by offering diversified groups and extended routes.
Can I arrive early or stay longer?
Yes! Just mention this in your booking request and we’ll coordinate with Mod05 Bike Hotel. Please note that early check-in, late check-out, or extra nights will come with an additional fee, depending on availability.
Equipment checklist
No worries — a full checklist will be sent before the camp once we have more details about the weather. For now, make sure you have:
- Gravel bike (no MTB or road bikes; rental available on request)
- Cycling computer or GPS device
- Front and rear lights
- Water bottles
- Flat repair kit (tube, levers, CO2/pump)
- Snacks or ride fuel (bars, gels, hydration)
- Two cycling outfits for two riding days (laundry service available for one wash during camp)
- Helmet (required)
Should I purchase travel and medical protection?
Yes, we ask you to purchase a travel protection plan that protects your travel investment, your belongings, and most importantly, you.
If I book a camp, is it guaranteed to run?
The camp requires a minimum of 10 participants to take place. If the minimum is not reached, we’ll inform you in advance and offer alternative options or a full refund.
Booking, Deposit and Cancellation
The booking request is made via the same form used by the consumer on the website ciaocycling.cc or via email. ciaocycling.cc forwards the booking to Truly Italy S.r.l. (P.IVA: IT04415960238), tour operator of this camp. A booking shall be understood as accepted by Truly Italy S.r.l.and the contract therefore concluded, only when the consumer receives confirmation from Truly Italy S.r.l., even electronically, which may be sent either directly to the client.
Deposit
To confirm a reservation, a 30% deposit of the total amount is required at the time of booking. The deposit can be paid via bank transfer to the account of Hotel Mod05, based on a proforma invoice or offer. Full payment is required prior to arrival. All payment details will be provided upon booking request by the official tour operator, Truly Italy S.r.l.
Cancellation
- Up to 21 days before arrival: Free cancellation, full refund of the deposit
- From 20 days before arrival: The booking is non-refundable, and 100% of
the total amount will be charged - In case of early departure, late arrival, or no-show, 100% of the cost of
the unused nights will be charged
Dates & Availability
What past guests say
“The planned rides were excellently organized: varied, scenically impressive, and technically tailored to be both challenging and manageable – ideal for anyone looking to improve their gravel skills or simply experience a few unforgettable days on the bike.”
Lara
Participant 2025 Women’s Camp
English