ITINERARY DAY ONE Sunday, May 11, 2008 Arrive: Rome Italy, Fiumicino (Leonardo Da Vinci) Airport The Hotel owner, our host "Franco" and his high speed team will meet us at the airport with modern comfortable busses and vans for luggage and bikes. We will wait for all flights from the USA, or the rest of our party to arrive. All flights from North America into Rome arrive between 07:40 and 13:00. Fiumicino is a modern airport with fantastic restaurants, shops and banks for money exchange. Once our party is complete, we'll leave the airport traveling Auto Strada 24 East through the Latinum plain and into the Apennine Mountains. This route is magnificent, with unbelievable vistas and views of ancient villages perched precariously on steep mountain sides. We'll travel on bridges and mountain traverses 700 to 1000 ft. above the valley floor where beautiful rivers cascade down and westward following the route of the original Roman Aqua duct system. Approximately 15:00 (3:00 PM local) Arrive: Hotel/Ristorante FILIPPONE in the village of Gioa di Marsi. You'll have the option of relaxing, building your bike, travel to Avezzano meet Vittorio Marcelli and have him build your bike. Time permitting we may go for a mild ride through the flats of the Fuchino Plain. See the Roman Aqua Ducts built in 79AD, still being used. Approximately 19:00 (7:00 PM local) Dinner: Be prepared for a magnificent feast. At this time you'll receive a "Rides Packet" and we'll discuss the upcoming week and events. The package will include topographical color road maps with each day's routes highlighted and with options. PLEASE BE ADVISED: THE FOLLOWING PLAN IS BASED ON PERFECT WEATHER. WE WILL ARRANGE OUR SCHEDULE ARROUND ANY INCLIMATE DAYS. DON'T WORRY WE'VE LOTS TO DO, YOU WILL HAVE FUN! DAY TWO Monday, May 12, 2008 Breakfast: 06:30 until 09:30 Approximately 08:30 First Ride: NOTE: Each days ride will be progressively harder and more vertical. However, there are multiple options for those that wish to keep slower speeds and the mileage down. There will always be someone to ride with and SAG support no matter which route you take. You can even go off on your own and explore if you like. Return from ride approximately 11:30 - 12:30 Lunch: 11:00 until 14:00 (2:00 PM local) OPTIONS: (after lunch) Snacks/Deserts: 13:30 until 16:30 Lounge by the TV, watch the Giro D'Italia Trip to Ortucchio and Trasacco Castles Hang with Franco and Momma, learn the basics of Abruzzo cooking Approximately 19:00 (7:00 PM local) Dinner: Another fantastic multi course meal, enjoying each others company and marveling in the spectacular wines. * Brief class on red wines of the Region. DAY THREE Tuesday, May 13, 2008 Breakfast: 06:30 until 09:30 08:30 Second Ride: You will have maps so you'll know where we're going Return from ride approximately 11:30 - 12:30 Lunch: 11:00 until 14:00 (2:00 PM local) OPTIONS: (after lunch) Snacks/Deserts: 13:30 until 16:30 Lounge by the TV, watch the Giro D'Italia Trip to Celano Castle NOTE: By this time you'll know your way around the valley and as with any day on this trip you are welcome to come and go as you please. We can provide rides to car rental any time, any day. You may even want to take off and go to Rome. Only an hour and a half away. Allow us to advise you on routes and trains to catch. Approximately 19:00 (7:00 PM local) Dinner: Yet another fantastic feast. * Brief class on red and white wines of the region. DAY FOUR Wednesday, May 14, 2008 Breakfast: 06:30 until 09:30 08:30 Third Ride: Serious long one today. From the Hotel, directly up through Passo del Diavolo (the Devil's pass) following former Giro D'Italia stage route. Returning back through Pescina. Return from ride approximately 13:00 (1:00 PM local) Lunch: 11:00 until 14:00 (2:00 PM local) OPTIONS: (after lunch) Snacks/Deserts: 13:30 until 16:30 Lounge by the TV, watch the Giro D'Italia Cooking class Travel to Avezzano and "Cicli Marcelli". Shopping and see Avezzano Castle Approximately 19:00 (7:00 PM local) Dinner: The feasts continue. * More wine instructional and the tasting of many types DAY FIVE Thursday, May 15, 2008 Breakfast: 06:30 until 09:30 * No ride today. Today we go to an Olive Oil Manufacturer. We'll tour their facility, learn the trade, taste test the various oils. Enjoy bread, cheese maybe wine to "validate" the taste test? We'll have a superb lunch, then on to "CANTINA" (Wine Maker) - Yes ! ! ! The Master Wine Maker will guide us through his vineyards, into deep vaulted cellars where casks sit gently resting. We'll also have the opportunity to sample, order or purchase. After, we will join the Cantina owners for a spectacular dinner in their renovated medieval castle. DAY SIX Friday, May 16, 2008 Breakfast: 06:30 until 09:30 08:00 Fourth Ride: To watch the Giro D'Italia Tough ride today. We'll ride to Avezzano, through the Parco Nazionale, up over Monti Simbruini. Then turn back South and East toward Sola through Valle di Rio and a long shallow climb to Opi, back into Parco d'Abruzzo. On top of this mountain we ride the rollers through the beautiful ski resort of Pescasseroli and down Passo del Diavolo home to Hotel Filippone. NOTE: Those that are not riding, a day of Castles, Museums and all the many activities at the Filippone Hotel; Horse back riding, Hang gliding, Hiking, Mountain biking, white water canoeing, etc.. Approximately 19:00 (7:00 PM local) Dinner: The fantastic food just keeps on coming. * More wine instructional and the tasting of many types and varieties. DAY SEVEN Saturday, May 17, 2008 Breakfast: 06:30 until 09:30 07:30 Fifth Ride: Fun one today. We have to leave on time because we're going to join the local club ride in Avezzano. We'll hang with the locals, ride their roads and enjoy their camaraderie. Don't worry, they're a great bunch and will love to have us along. NOTE: For those that wish, we will make accommodations to cycle or drive to Giro d'Italia stage # 7 Vasto to Pescocostanzo. Should be a good one, a mountain top finish. Light lunch: 11:00 until 14:00 (2:00 PM local) * This year a very special treat; Larry Jones and Donna Coates are getting married ! The ceremony will take place in Gioa di Marsi at the local church. Afterward, Franco and his staff are throwing a huge party in their honor. A traditional country Italian wedding with a typical no holds barred, pull out all the stops, country Italian party! This party will last way into the night. The best wines and champagne, music, dancing and special dishes made only for this occasion. The fun on this trip never ends ! DAY EIGHT Sunday, May 18, 2008 Breakfast: 06:30 until 09:30 07:30 Sixth Ride: Another fun one today. We have to leave on time because we're going to join the local club ride in Avezzano again. This time we'll be guided by local good friends and former Pro's on some hidden roads with fantastic views. Return from ride approximately 12:00 noon Lunch: 11:00 until 14:00 (2:00 PM local) OPTIONS: (after lunch) Snacks/Deserts: 13:30 until 16:30 Lounge by the TV, watch the Giro D'Italia Travel to local small villages and their markets, do some shopping Anything you want. NOTE: We will provide opportunities to attend church. Some of the local churches are more than eight hundred years old. Approximately 19:00 (7:00 PM local) Dinner: A very special Meal today. Hard to believe they could get better. DAY NINE Monday, May 19, 2008 Breakfast: 06:30 until 09:30 07:30 Seventh Ride: We'll traverse the East side of the Fuchino Plain head out toward Monte Velino, local high point with beautiful vistas and more than likely still covered with snow. We'll come back over the West side of Avezzano (fantastic views) past the Micron Tech. semiconductor Fab and down the road to still functioning and in use Roman aqua ducts from 79AD. Talk about culture shock ! Return from ride approximately 12:00 noon Lunch: 11:00 until 14:00 (2:00 PM local) OPTIONS: (after lunch) Snacks/Deserts: 13:30 until 16:30 Lounge by the TV, watch the Giro D'Italia Travel to local small villages and their markets, do some shopping Anything you want really. Approximately 19:00 (7:00 PM local) Dinner: A final dinner extravaganza. The Filippone staff will try to out-do themselves. The food will come and the wine will flow, I love these people ! DAY TEN Tuesday, May 20, 2008 Breakfast: 05:00 until 07:00 Early today due to our departure. Depart Hotel at 07:00 promptly. Busses will be ready and waiting. Flights leave 11:30 AM