Our Escapes are four-day trips to iconic cycling regions: quick fixes of pure cycling in a format that fits into demanding schedules.
While you’re with us, all you’ll have to do is concentrate on exploring classic roads, both in Europe and the US, and test your legs on infamous climbs such as Mont Ventoux. We’ll take care of the rest, in signature Rapha style. In just a few days, our expert guides will show you the best views, coffee stops and ‘locals-only’ hidden gems that each region has to offer. And, when not riding, you can relax in beautiful surroundings, enjoy great local cuisine and deepen the friendships forged on testing gradients. You’ll return home refreshed and revived, and with an invaluable top up to your cycling fitness and your motivation.
Because they are based in one location and are shorter in duration, Escapes are suitable for a wide range of riders, including those relatively new to road cycling. Please check out the difficulty rating for each one (from 2/5 for Cote D’Azur, Tuscany or Girona to 5/5 for the Cinglés de Ventoux), and get in touch if you need any explanations. Please note: a number of trips from our 2017 calendar (and earlier seasons) have been renamed from either ‘Ascent’ or ‘Pro Team Camp’ to ‘Escape’ for 2018. Our team at travel@rapha.cc can help out with any questions.
21st - 24th april 2018
26th - 29th april 2018
4th - 7th mei 2018
4th - 7th mei 2018
25th - 28th mei 2018
31st mei - 3rd juni 2018
14th - 17th juni 2018
7th - 10th juli 2018
8th - 11th juli 2018
11th - 14th juli 2018
16th - 20th augustus 2018
30th augustus - 2nd september 2018
8th - 11th september 2018
21st - 24th september 2018
5th - 8th oktober 2018
12th - 15th oktober 2018
12th - 15th oktober 2018
19th - 22nd oktober 2018
19th - 22nd oktober 2018
26th - 29th oktober 2018
26th - 29th oktober 2018
I wanted to thank you for blowing away all my expectations regarding this trip! This was originally a once-in-a-lifetime 40th birthday present to myself, but given this experience I will need to try and find a way to fit in a couple more trips.
— Ventoux Ascent, June 2016
The location was stunning and the Hotel was excellent. The rides up both Stelvio and Timmelsjoch were simply jaw dropping. I will take away many memories and photos from the trip, but one in particular that of Mattia pulling a wheelie alongside me going up the Stelvio!
— Stelvio Ascent, June 2016
When you’re riding you’ll always have at least one ride guide on the road with the group. There will also be a mechanic with a full tool kit and spare parts not far away – usually in a support car behind the group. Your guides and mechanics will be able to help you out with ride food and drink, as well as local knowledge, first aid, a morale-boosting chat and – if necessary – a hand to push you up the hill if you’ve run out of energy. They’ll do everything they can to keep you and your bike on the road but, if for any reason you can’t make it to the end, they’ll always make sure there’s a seat in a vehicle so you get safely home.
We have a fleet of top-specification bikes available for hire on our European departures. We ask that guests requiring a bike tell us as far as is possible in advance, so we can guarantee the right size is available, and also to send us your fit measurements, so our mechanics can set up the bike for you ready for the start of your trip. If you’re renting a bike you need to remember to bring your helmet and pedals.
Your tailor-made cycling experience.
A pure cycling adventure.