The Epic Journey
Our Dementi crew completed an unforgettable 7-day road bike adventure through the heart of the Alps. Starting from the picturesque city of Innsbruck, we challenged ourselves on the legendary Stelvio Pass before continuing through the Italian landscapes of Lombardy, the Po Valley, and the Valpolicella wine region.
The route offered breathtaking mountain scenery, demanding climbs, and exhilarating descents as we crossed between Austria and Italy multiple times. Our journey took us through medieval towns, historic cities, and stunning natural landscapes, creating an incredible contrast of experiences from high Alpine roads to gentle valley routes.
Covering 888 kilometers and conquering over 6,800 meters of elevation gain, this adventure tested our endurance and rewarded us with unforgettable memories, strengthening both our cycling abilities and our team bonds.
Trip Statistics
Our Stelvio Epic was a challenging adventure that demanded strong fitness and endurance. Here's a summary of what we accomplished:
Day 0 (June 26, Wednesday) - Arrival
Our adventure began with the team gathering in Innsbruck, the picturesque capital of Austria's Tyrol region. We arrived by car from Prague, bringing our road bikes and gear for the upcoming challenge. The evening was spent checking equipment, discussing the route ahead, and enjoying the views of the surrounding Alps that would set the stage for our journey.
Day 1 (June 27, Thursday) - Warm Up
Our first riding day took us from Innsbruck through the stunning Tyrolean landscapes. This warm-up route followed the Inn valley into Italy, introducing us to the Alpine terrain while allowing our legs to adjust to the coming challenges. We passed through Landeck before crossing into Italy's South Tyrol region, ending in the charming medieval walled town of Glorenza.
Day 2 (June 28, Friday) - Stelvio Conquest
The highlight of our trip - tackling the legendary Stelvio Pass! This challenging day took us up one of cycling's most iconic climbs with its 48 numbered hairpin turns. From Glorenza, we climbed steadily through Prato allo Stelvio before the real challenge began. The 1,800m ascent rewarded us with breathtaking panoramic views at the summit before the thrilling descent to Bormio and onward to Tirano in Lombardy.
Day 3 (June 29, Saturday) - Alpine Valleys
After the previous day's mountain challenge, we continued our journey south through the Valtellina valley. The route took us through beautiful landscapes as we descended toward Lake Iseo, passing through Edolo and Darfo Boario Terme. The terrain gradually became less mountainous as we approached Brescia, a historic city with Roman roots and Renaissance architecture.
Day 4 (June 30, Sunday) - Po Valley
Our fourth day offered a welcome change of pace with a flatter route through the fertile Po Valley. This relatively short and level stage allowed for some recovery while still enjoying the Italian countryside. We rode through agricultural landscapes and small towns, passing near Cremona before arriving in Piacenza, a city known for its mix of Gothic and Renaissance architecture.
Day 5 (July 1, Monday) - Tour de France Experience
Today's route took inspiration from Tour de France layouts with a mix of terrain. We headed east from Piacenza through the Po Valley before turning northward toward Verona. The landscape gradually transformed as we approached the Valpolicella wine region, ending in Negrar di Valpolicella, a charming town surrounded by vineyards in the pre-Alpine hills.
Day 6 (July 2, Tuesday) - Wine Regions and Mountain Return
Leaving the Valpolicella region, we headed north along the eastern shores of Lake Garda. The route took us through Arco and Riva del Garda before climbing toward Trento. We continued north through the beautiful Adige Valley with its vineyards and apple orchards, finishing in the bilingual city of Bozen/Bolzano, where Italian and Austrian cultures blend seamlessly.
Day 7 (July 3, Wednesday) - Alpine Return
Our final day completed the loop back to Innsbruck. From Bolzano, we headed north through the Eisack Valley past Brixen/Bressanone. Following the route instructions, we took the turn at Vahrn/Varna to begin the climb over the Brenner Pass, which marks the border between Italy and Austria. The final stretch took us down the Wipptal valley and back to our starting point in Innsbruck, completing an epic 7-day cycling adventure through some of Europe's most beautiful Alpine regions.
