Leg 3
Geneva to Milan
Ridden by the Pioneers — no longer available to book
This is the route and itinerary as it was planned for the ride, kept as a record of the journey so far. For legs you can still join, see the Book Now page.
- Dates
- 12th to 15th June 2014
- Days Cycling
- 4
- Distance
- 571 km
- Total climbing
- 5,179 m climbing
- Max capacity
- 80 people
Itinerary
Day 1 – Geneva to Sierre – 156 km, 659 m total ascent
View the route on StravaMeeting at the iconic Brunswick Memorial we leave the city and cycle the entire length of Lake Geneva on the South-side. Coffee stop overlooking the Lake in Thonon-les-Bains. At the end of the lake we turn south and spend the rest of the day of traffic free, smooth tarmac cycle paths following the Rhone River. Lunch is at the World Cycle Centre Velodrome. The afternoon involves a steady, gentle climb along the valley to the town of Sierre with stunning mountain views in all directions.
Day 2 – Sierre to Airolo – 118 km, 2,382 m total ascent
View the route on StravaOne of the most infamous days in the Ride25 journey! The day begins with a gentle pootle along the valley with outstanding scenery up to the ski resorts on the mountains on either side. We begin the climb after a morning coffee stop in Naters – a steady climb up to lunch at 1,311 m. After lunch we have the Nufenen (AKA Nurofen!) Pass – the second highest paved mountain pass in Switzerland raising to a peak of 2,478 m. We then have a wonderful descent into the Swiss mountain town of Airolo.
Day 3 – Airolo to Como – 151 km, 777 m total ascent
View the route on StravaProbably the easiest and most glamorous Ride25 day. We leave Airolo and have a wonderful descent over the first 53 km to coffee – our hard work from day 2 is rewarded. We then cycle around the northern section of Lake Maggiore. Lunch is on the lake where you can cool down with a swim. After lunch we cycle along the side of Lake Lugano where we’ll stop for tea before the final section to Lake Como.
Day 4 – Como to Milan – 146 km, 1,362 m total ascent
View the route on StravaThe day begins with some beautiful cycling along Lake Como to Bellagio where we attempt the only climb of the day up to the Madonna del Ghisallo – a museum dedicated to celebrating Italian cycling with a cafe for the morning pit stop. This is a very picturesque climb with great views out to Lake Como. We then descend to lunch on the river in Brivio. The final 32 km takes us on a traffic free path alongside a canal into central Milan. We attempt to group together by the Duomo before a short cycle to the hotel.