1. VAL D'ORCIA

Val d’Orcia is a vast undulating valley south of Siena located between the beautiful hilltop towns of Pienza to the east and Montalcino to the west.

Pienza is famous for its Pecorino cheese and Montalcino for its exquisite wines. A seabed millions of years ago, the valley has been an important agricultural area since the Etruscan era before the Roman Empire. The lime content of the soil is a key component for growing the variety of Sangiovese grapes used for the famous Brunello di Montalcini wines.

The ride starts in Pienza, descends into the bowl, passes by San Quirico d’Orcia, and then climbs out of the valley to end in the hilltop town of Montalcino.

2. COLLE DEL NIVOLET

Rated as possibly the most beautiful ride in the Alps? If you know the 1969 film 'The Italian Job' then you might recognise this Col which was used as the getaway road where the coach balanced over the edge of the road.

Giro d'Italia 2019.

3. SCOPELLO TO MERA

The climb to Alpe di Mera (1560 m) is an exciting road through the woods with practically no traffic. From Scopello you will face 24 hairpin bends with 872 meters of elevation gain with an average gradient of 9%. The climb becomes progressively more challenging, with slopes reaching 14% in the final stretch. However, the fatigue of the climb is short-lived as there are stunning views of Monte Rosa. The KOM of the climb belongs to Simon Yates, with an amazing 28'36" clocked during the Giro d'Italia 2021. Are you ready to beat him?

4. CERNOBBIO TO CADENABBIA

Lake Como is a glacial lake which is situated on the border between Switzerland and Italy. There are well-known mountains and tourist destinations on the shores of the lake.

This ride starts off in the centre of the old town of Cernobbio on the edge of the lake. Leaving the old town get onto the main road, go past the famous Villa d’Este ritzy hotel, then leave the main road to drop back to the lake and go past Moltrasio and then Laglio where you ride past George Clooney’s house. Rejoin the main road for a bit, then drop down to Brienno and follow the main road to Cadenabbia.

5. CAORLE AND LAST 5K GIRO 2023 STAGE 17

Starting and ending in the beautiful city of Caorle where the 17th Stage of the Giro d Italia 2023 had a photo finish sprint decision between Alberto Dainese, Jonathan Milan and Michael Matthews. The ride is flat - just like the stage of the Giro was and includes the last 5k of the sprint finale - as you can see its very technical and dangerous for normal cyclist but the world tour pro riders managed to do it without crashes.

6. COLLE DEL PICCOLO SAN BERNARDO FROM LA THUILE

This is the climb to Col du Petit San Bernard. Starting from the Italian side, you'll climb to the French border, passing the old border station just before you stop.

7. VARALLO TO FOBELLO

Known for its Sacro Monte, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, from the beautiful town of Varallo, a magnificent valley floor route will take you after 17.6 kilometres with an average gradient of 2.4 per cent and 426 meters of elevation gain to Fobello, riding up the wild Mastallone Valley. Here, after cycling without traffic in the quiet atmosphere of the valley, you will be surprised to discover elegant and stately villas. If you are a fan of racing and rally cars, don't miss the opportunity to visit the Lancia Museum.

8. VAISON LA ROMAINE FOOTHILLS

This ride is the first part of the Lapierre Gran Fondo Mont Ventoux and starts in Vaison la Romaine then goes via Malaucene and Col de la Madeleine to Bedoin.

9. BéDOIN TO MONT VENTOUX

Bédoin to Mount Ventoux on a beautiful sunny day.

Of the three Mont Ventoux routes this Bédoin ride is considered to be the hardest, climbing for around 20Kms, with a long intense section of 9-10%, and around 1,500 meters of elevation gain.

10. ROCAMADOUR ITT

Have you got what it takes? An in-form Wout van Aert , riding his Cervelo P5, rocketed through this course stopping the clock at 47 minutes 59 seconds, that's a mind blowing average speed of 50.9km/h.

11. THE RED VILLAGE

The ride starts in Collonges-la-Rouge, a remarkable medieval village built from local red limestone.

After a short climb through the village and onto the small market town of Meyssac, the ride passes through wonderful open countryside and then follows the Dordogne under limestone cliffs to a beautifully picturesque finish at Creysse.

12. LES AIREAUX

You'll set out from the banks of the Loire and will soon be riding through our first village of Saint-Rémy-la-Varenne. Enjoy the rolling green countryside and wonderful small ancient villages and towns; Blaison-Saint-Sulpice and Saint-Saturnin-sur-Loire are typical of the area. The gentle terrain and views make for an interesting and varied ride.

13. SOULOR FROM FERRIERES

Col du Soulor has featured in the Tour multiple times but not as frequently from this side. Thanks to Fulgaz and Hiebert’s video we knew we had to tackle this side (hopefully our video does his work justice). This ascent has much less traffic than the main road from Argeles and amazing views of the surrounding high peaks, amazing views of the balcony road to Aubisque, and lots of free range animals (we saw cows, horses, sheep, goats, and even a few pigs at the top!). After a cloudy first climb (Spandelles), we climb mostly in the sun and get bigger patches of blue sky as we climb. We also have amazing verdant green mountains thanks to a very rainy previous month. Enjoy the quieter traffic, the animals, and the amazing open views!

14. COL DU TOURMALET

Get ready to tackle one of the most infamous climbs in world cycling, used in the Tour de France countless times! Pace yourself it’s a long one!

15. LAGOA TT

Test yourself against the pros on the Volta ao Algarve 2021 Stage 4 iTT. It's a 20Km route from Lagoa down to Carvoeiro and back through the Vale de El-Rei. Try to match Kasper Asgreen's winning time of 23mins 52secs.

Best of luck!

16. ARTENARA INSELMITTE TOUR

Artenara Inselmitte Tour starts in the middle of the island at Artenara, firstly with some slightly downhill kilometres, then a short climb before reaching the 3 very impressive Presas (water reservoirs). Then over the next 19 kilometres you’ll climb from 860 up to 1,630 metres above sea level, including a visit to the hilltop town of Juncalillo. It’s a lovely classic Gran Canaria mountain ride on a beautiful day.

17. LA VICTORIA

Often used as a warm up/cool down ride coupled with Cap Formentor (available on FulGaz) you’ll depart from the Marina at Puerto Pollensa on a cycle path route that hugs the bay.

It’s a relatively busy section, as you’re on a main road along the coast, but you’re right by the water’s edge and it’s a pleasure to tap along the easy flat gradients. Finally you'll pass through stone pillars and onto the La Victoria peninsula, leaving the urban areas behind you. Bar S’illot (and apparently a nudist beach!) is on your left as you start climbing.

The road up to Ermita de la Victoria is narrow, steep (16% in places) and wooded but with under a kilometre from the junction to the car park at the top, at least it’s not too long.

18. TERRES DE L’EBRE (TORTOSA – LO PORT)

A smaller 35km section of a tougher ride featured in the 2023 edition of the Volta Catalunya. This ride tackles the same section of the course but stops short so you won't have to climb one of the toughest mountains in Catalonia this time round. For those who are interested, Lo Port has been climbed four times in the Volta a Catalunya, the last time in 2017, when Alejandro Valverde (Movistar Team) won ahead of Chris Froome (Team Sky) and Alberto Contador (Trek - Segafredo).

FulGaz is an official partner of the Volta Ciclista Catalunya, one of the world's oldest stage races.

19. RIERA DEL CORB

Join Nathan Haas as he heads out on a tidy training ride into the countryside. A mix of bike paths, Catalonian country lanes, and a crisp autumnal morning transport you to the region. With a few little lumps this is an ideal for an extended warm up.

20. ORDINO FROM MASSANA

Welcome to Andorra! Ordino is 1 of 2 climbs which cross the ridge separating the west road from the east road (Beixallis is the other). Ordino is an evenly graded climb, always sticking very close to its 7 percent average. Like many Andorra climbs the start is only getting more developed, but after the first few kilometers the rest of the climb is much quieter. I continued past the top with the col sign for another 5 minutes as there is an additional 1k of climbing after an initial short descent. Enjoy the descending and the open views of the eastern side toward Canilo!

21. THREE LAPS OF MONTJUïC CIRCUIT

In 2023 the final circuit will be repeated in Barcelona, as in 2022 and 2021. A total of 6 laps on the Montjuïc circuit, the emblematic finish of the Volta Catalunya in recent years, which has always attracted a very large number of spectators.

Andrea Bagioli, Thomas de Gendt, Davide Formolo, Simon Yates and Alejandro Valverde have won in Barcelona and we can't wait to toast your victory with a glass of cava!