A three-stage bike ride from Oxford to Venice with various options for your group to get involved a little or as much as possible. Our route includes a visit to Paris, an ascent up a Tour de France Climb, cycling alongside Lake Garda and of course celebrations in Venice!
Don’t forget, all of our events are bespoke, that means anything you see on this page can be adapted to your requirements.
‘Many many thanks for all your team’s support and guidance over the last 4 days. You provided perfect guides and excellent on the spot management.’ – John, Honeypots New Forest to Pen y Bryn Ride 2024
This route offers plenty of flexibility and isn’t limited to the example shown here. In the past, we have completed this ride using multiple different routes. The options are endless, what you’ll find below is simply a typical itinerary.
Stage 1 – Three day ride from Oxford to Paris
Starting with the Grand Depart from Oxford, we say goodbye to the city of spires, and start to ride through the quiet pretty villages of the Chilterns and onwards through the South Downs National Park. On arrival into Portsmouth we board the overnight ferry bound for Caen. Breakfast is taken in the ferry terminal, before starting our ride through France, remembering to ride on the wrong side or the road! We spend the night in Evreux, with it’s fantastic Cathedral and night-life.
The final day of Stage 1 sees us riding past fields of sunflower and corn, whilst stopping for refreshments in beautifully tranquil villages. We stop for photos at the Palace of Versailles before embarking on the final section of the stage into central Paris and the Eiffel Tower. Tonight, we toast our achievement with a fabulous meal.
The following day we rise early for the transfer to Dijon where we continue the ride.
Stage 2 – Four day ride from Dijon to Annecy
We depart from Dijon heading towards Cluny. In the afternoon the route picks up a cycle path which takes us through yet more beautiful French villages.
The following morning, the first section of the ride out of Cluny has a short sharp hill to get the legs going before the morning refreshment stop. The descent the other side will be a welcome relief for some!
Our final day in France finishes with a morning loop around Annecy and a ride up to the Col de Semnoz (1,670m). We then hop on a transfer to Lake Garda, where we start the 3rd and final leg of the journey.
Stage 3 – Three day ride from Gardone Riviera to Venice
The final leg of our journey starts with a ride around Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy. The rolling roads and the crystal clear water make for a perfect days riding.
The penultimate day of the trip has several hilly options. The first is a gentle climb up to the village of Noarna. The second is a climb out of the town to Trento, which offers spectacular views of the vineyards in the valleys below. The third is an ascent up to Castello Tesino, which offers stunning views over the Dolomites.
Thankfully, the final day of riding is predominantly downhill as we leave the Dolomites behind. Our route takes us through the rural landscape of Italy, passing by farmland and vineyards on our way into Venice. That evening we’ll have a well-earned celebratory meal to toast our achievements!
Example Routes
Posted on Google
Sally17/09/2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Superb organisation by Team PIEPosted on Google
Sarah Bower16/09/2026Four day trip from Ljubljana to Trieste. Lovely friendly staff with excellent efficient organisation. Very nice hotels and great coffee and lunch stops - only wish they could have organised the weather too! Incredible support in tough conditions. Top notch all round.Posted on Google
Jason Bacon16/09/2026My 9th PIE organised cycle challenge for the 40tude charity. Another spectacularly organised PIE ride. The way the team and guides handled and responded to all the surprises and challenges thrown their way, making everything smooth for us punters was extraordinary. And very much appreciated. The most professional and friendly group of tour managers, support team and cycle guides. Well done to the whole PIE team and Paul & Tina. You are simply the best.Posted on Google
Greg Martin16/09/2026Event team did a great job coping with air traffic meltdown in the UK, storms in Slovenia and road closures from visiting diplomats. accommodating, feeding and moving over 30 people on a daily basis is no easy task and they do it very well! Kudos to Paul and team.Posted on Google
James Purves16/09/2026This is probably my 6th rode with pie. They always have things organised and when something isn’t quite right it is fixed quickly and with lots of communication. Paul and the team were brilliant in Slovenia with us all. When you are cycling and out of your comfort zone the last thing you want is to worry about the logistics and pie do that all for you. Thanks And see you soon at the next ride!Posted on Google
Richard Plaistowe05/09/2026Pie Events helped me organise the Branditos networking cycles at the International Trademark Association Annual Meeting in London, and sorted routes and guides. Tje rides were thoroughly enjoyable and professionally guided (and 100% safe) Riders from all over the world participated and everyone was effusive in their praise. A fantastic success thanks to Pie Events.Posted on Google
Daniel Osmer27/07/2026I've just completed my second 4-day group ride managed by pie. Again, it was a fantastic experience. The 3 person pie team - a trip co-ordinator, ride guide, and on-bike medic - were all top professionals as well as great fun. It was another great trip which the whole team enjoyed. I highly recommend pie.Posted on Google
Ron Rees Davies27/07/2026Posted on Google
Michael Taylor24/07/2026PIE is outstanding and are indeed passionate about their events. Whether Medical, Portering, Providing Food (paying attention to dietary requirements) and Drink (morning coffee, regular rehydration electrolyte tabs, soft drinks at lunch, alcoholic beverages at the end of the day - if you like that sort of thing), excellent hotels & restaurants, - all needs catered for. Staff - highly sympathetic & empathetic - who convert a steep hill into a mere undulation. All staff were immaculately turned out in identical uniforms. Bike maintenance - Brilliant Route planning - beautiful lanes, B roads, cycle paths - superb routes. Overall - excellent management throughout, with high empathy and support for all participants (including a cat!!).Posted on Google
John Pocock23/07/2026Many many thanks for all your team’s support and guidance over the last 4 days. You provided perfect guides and excellent on the spot management. Your ride support team were always on hand to help and kept our water and salt levels up at all times. Your team were really professional and our whole group gelled around them. Of us 8 riders who did the whole 260 mile trip, we have all gone away absolutely delighted with the achievement AND the organisation provided by yourselves.Verified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more
