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Italian Cycling Tour Levels & Ride Difficulty

We’ll help you get to the right level

A’QTO cycling tours are designed for cyclists. All of our trips are physically challenging, with some more so than others. Our Italian Cycling Tours are all designed to take you “past your usual level” on the bike, and then provide great rewards off the bike.

You will need to be comfortable riding in a small group with other riders.

We will support you every step of the way, with guides with local knowledge, mechanical and first aid experience, and a support car always following the group. We will often break into two groups if required, but you will always have a guide and/or follow car with you or close by.

A’QTO cycling tours may include terrain that you may not be used to cycling on day to day. On some of our Italian cycling tours, there is sometimes a small component of gravel, which helps us stay on quiet country roads and exploring the road less travelled. Of course, some cycling tours including our L’Eroica Italian Cycling Tour is all about the gravel.

Each tour is rated from 1 to 10 for difficulty, taking into account the terrain, the average distance and elevations per day and the possible inclusion of gravel.

Our difficulty legend below gives you a good idea of the intensity, who the tour is for and if it is right for you and what you can do to make the tour a better fit for your level, be that recreational, intermediate or experienced.

Please also feel free to talk to us anytime or message us via live chat here.

Rated 6 / 10

The real adventure starts. Explore the roads you never knew existed and take on an occasional gentle climb, surrounded by spectacular scenery and dramatic views. You can expect longer days in the saddle, safe in the knowledge that you will be supported at all time

Rated 7 / 10

This is a tour with longer days and more hills. Expect a couple of long but steady climbs with descents that are mostly open and free flowing.

Rated 8 / 10

This is where the going gets tough, with longer, harder and more rewarding, riding through more challenging and varied terrain. Expect tough climbs as well as some technical descents.

Rated 9 / 10

These are the most challenging tours we offer. Serious training is required to get the most out of these adventures, and will challenge even the most capable riders.

The Rider: “I ride a couple of times during the week and have a longer, ride on the weekend, mostly on flat terrain”.
The Terrain: Slightly undulating countryside, with an occasional short climb.
Recommendation: Prior to departure, ensure that you have at least 4 weeks, where you ride at least 3 times per week with rides of 70km in length
Average Daily Distance:
55-85km
Average Daily Elevation:
500m - 1000m
Perfect For: Recreational and intermediate riders.
Make it fit for you: Experienced cyclists can elect to take the longer ride options

The Rider: “I ride up to 3 times per week, acoss undulating terrain.”
The Terrain: Rolling hills over repeated days, with a few long climbs.
Recommendation: Prior to the tour start, ensure that you have had at least 4 weeks where you have ridden multiple consecutive days with 1000+ metres each day.
Average Daily Distance:
65 – 90km
Average Daily Elevation:
1000m – 1200m
Perfect For: Intermediate cyclists
Make it fit for you: Experienced cyclists can elect to take the longer ride options and recreational riders should elect to take the shorter ride options.

The Rider: “I ride over 3 times per week and always try to put as many hills into the ride as possible.”
The Terrain: Continual rolling hills over repeated days.
Recommendation: Prior to departure, ensure that you have had at least 4 weeks where you have ridden multiple consecutive days (3+)with 1500+ metres each day.
Average Daily Distance:
75 – 100km
Average Daily Elevation:
1250m – 1600m
Perfect For: Experienced cyclists and intermediate cyclists who have completed a comprehensive pre tour training program.
Make it fit for you: Recreational riders who use the shorter ride options after having a dedicated 16 week pre tour training program.

The Rider: “I ride at least 250km per week and will be training for this trip for months.”
The Terrain: Mountainous terrain, with many long, steep climbs and technical descents. These routes are designed for avid cyclists and include plenty of chances to push yourself.
Recommendation: Prior to departure, undertake a serious and committed training program 4 months out.
Average Daily Distance:
80 – 120km
Average Daily Elevation:
1650+m
Perfect For: Experienced cyclists
Make it fit for you: A dedicated 16 week training program for intermediate cyclists.