Colnago, the iconic and historic symbol of Italian Cycling, has chosen Lake Garda as the setting for their flagship amateur event, the COLNAGO CYCLING FESTIVAL.
This is the first event of the local cycling season in Lake Garda and our second event we take part in after the GF Strade Bianche. Join us and 5000 enthusiastic cyclists for this spring opener, and experience the magic and enchantment of Lake Garda, the passion of Colnago and the adrenaline and challenge of this gran fondo.
The Granfondo Colnago starts just 15 km from us on the beautiful waterfront of Desenzano del Garda and is one of the TOP 10 Italian Granfondos. With two route lengths to choose from, we cycle to the hilly west coast of Lake Garda, as well as the southern side of the lake and the hinterlands, with fantastic views of the lake and surrounding areas.
This is a unique festival in our area, with many events exclusively for cycling lovers and families wanting to discover Lake Garda by bike!! Treat yourself to a cycling holiday with us on Lake Garda,and enjoy the festival! Arts, Culture, Sport, Entertainment, Food and Wine, Nature and Shopping in a Lovely Landscape.
From Friday through Sunday, you will discover how to prepare, face, and complete this challenge like a professional – whether you plan to race against the field or push yourself to your own limits. All this in the country that taught us how to cycle with passion, how to build bicycles with style, and that has the most stunning cycling scenery in the world!
We will take care of everything for you, so that you can focus on the event. We’ll register you, take you to pick up your race bag, and bring you to the start line of the Gran Fondo! We understand you are in a new country and at an unfamiliar event, so we will make sure you don’t face any confusion or have to guess at the process. We’ll be there to navigate you through it with ease.
In fact, all you have to do is book a flight, get on the plane, and ride the event.
The minimum stay for this special offer is 4 nights.
THRSDAY 02nd April
Welcome DAY for our guests arriving today. We’ll pick up guests arriving in Verona and you’ll have a bike fit with our mechanic.
In the afternoon, we’ll go for an easy “gelato ride” to the beautiful village of Borghetto sul Mincio
For guests who arrived earlier in the week, you’ll ride to the vineyard hills of the Valpolicella region.
FRIDAY 03rd April
We will ride the “Colnago Cycling Festival” Randonneur Giro del LAGO with a choice of 2 different routes: a long route of 200 km, and short route of 100 km
As a 3rd option for those wanting a shorter ride, we will lead an 80km flat ride on the south side of the lake taking a scenic ferry ride as part of our return.
In the evening we will have a special dinner in a Valpolicella winery with local dishes and wines to taste.
SATURDAY 04th April
In the morning we will take a short ride to warm up for the Gran Fondo. In the afternoon, we will meet to review the course, the climbs/grades, get our bikes and bike kits ready, as well as prepare our musette, with everything that you will need (energy bars and gels, race jersey, gloves, socks). On Saturday evening, we will dine together, and enjoy a special menu in preparation for the race.
SUNDAY 05th April
Early energy breakfast and transfer to the start line. You will have technical support throughout the ride. At the finish line, our support van will be waiting for you with your dry clothing for your cool down and a special tart to regenerate the legs and soul!
MONDAY 06th April
We’ll take an easy ride along the Riviera.
Transfer to the airport for guests who are leaving Monday
• Accommodation in one of our hotel rooms or apartments
• our "Bici Love - ALL INCLUSIVE cycling package" including:
- Full board (breakfast, post ride buffet, dinner a la carte)
- Daily guided group rides (7 days per week), with van support on long rides
- Daily laundry service (for bike clothing)
- Transfers from/to Verona with prior arrangement (available 8 am-8 pm)
- Assistance - Medical expense Reimbursement - Luggage Insurance.
For more info about the terms of insurance click here
click here for more detailed information about the services included
Entry to the Granfondo: we’ll get you registered
Transfer to the Granfondo start line
Technical recovery service during the Granfondo
Our Staff will be there to assist you throughout the ride
The total price for this special offer starts from € 169,00 per person, in double/twin room, per night
Kindly note that a special registration for placement in the VIP starting grid is available to purchase. This means that for any rider who chooses the VIP Grid option, you will start with the first 150 of 5000+ cyclists, and will lead the way at the beginning of the race.
If you are interested in this option, there is a supplement of € 50,00 (only 10 places available!)
Contact Us for a custom offer, for individual cyclists as well as for teams and clubs.
The following services are available at an additional cost:
• Overnight in single room
• BIKE RENTAL: Leave your bike at home and rent one of our high quality Pinarello bikes during your stay
• Airport transfers to Garda Bike Hotel from most major northern Italian airports by prior arrangement. (except the transfer Verona "Valerio Catullo" - Garda Bike Hotel or Garda Bike Hotel - Verona "Valerio Catullo" that is already included in the package)
The following will not be included in the quoted price of the package:
• Flights
• Insurance
• Personal expenses and purchases, such as alcoholic drinks unless specifically mentioned in the program above
The nearest airport to Garda Bike Hotel is "Verona - Valerio Catullo";
We can also arrange transfer service from and to the main airports of Northern Italy, such as Milano (Linate - Malpensa), Milano Bergamo, Venice, and Bologna. Let us know, and we’ll organize it. All you need to think about is having fun riding your bike!