Our family of four (2 adults and 2 teenagers) will be staying between Florence and Siena. I would like to find a company that offers tours for folks who are mixed fitness levels. We are not avid bikers, but enjoy family bike rides up to 10 miles. Any recommendations? By the way, I've looked into "Florence by Bike" as recommend by RS and am worried the tours would be too strenuous or too fast-paced.
Thanks so much...Barb
I waited a while before responding hoping that someone with specific knowledge would respond. My knowledge is of bicycle tours in general. I don't think you will find any tour of 10 miles or less. A 10 mile tour, even for a slow family is less than two hours. A tour that slow is not going to appeal to too many folks. Second, most tour companies are use to handling a wide range of cycling skill and can deal with slow riders. I would call them and ask what they will do for slow riders. Maybe you can ride 10 miles and ride the sag wagon for the next 20 or so. On the other hand, between now and then, why not get in shape to do a 30 miles or so? You don't have to be avid cyclists to pedal 30 miles on a Sunday morning.
Are you looking for just a one day outing? Or longer?
You might contact http://www.cicloposse.com/ They do shorter tours. Giuliana might be able to do a custom tour for the 4 of you for a day, rental bikes, etc and a short route without a guide- or you can find a day tour with a guide if they have one scheduled at the time you are in Italy.
I agree with Frank. You will not find a tour of 10 miles. In biking terms...that is nothing. Most days on a bike tour cover 25+ miles...most in the mid 30 mile range, based on the terrain. Most of the hilltop towns are at least 20 miles apart.
Also...the hills of Tuscany are not easy riding, but I'm sure they could find you a fairly flat route.
If you plan to bike in Italy...please don't just "show up" to ride, you do need to train by riding some hills and longer distances. 10 miles might sound like a long distance to you, but it's really not in bike riding terms!
We've done 2 self guided tours with Cicloposse and are very happy to recommend them as excellent!
Feel free to send me a private email if you have more questions. We've done about 5 bike tours in Italy and can let you know what to expect.
A few years ago, I did a bike tour of the hills above Oltrarno offered by Walking Tours of Florence and enjoyed it. It went across the Ponte Vecchio, up to Piazzale Michelangelo and then up to a beautiful overlook in the hills for a light picnic lunch. It was slightly strenuous, but not terribly so. Roads were such that you could walk your bike if tired. Not certain of the distance, but it seemed like 10 miles or less. As I recall, your family of 4 would be enough people to guarantee the minimum for the tour. Don't recall whether they offered other bike tour itineraries.
Thank you all for your advice. I checked out the website for Walking Tours of Florence and they have a bike tour that would be perfect for our family. Most excellent!! --Barb
Florence by Bike is the one I know of best. I don't think any company offers bike tours for such a skill level, although you can rent bikes and go at your own pace. Problem in Tuscany is that the terrain is not level.
