Hi,
Plan on the dream trip to Italy next Sept. We want to spend 3 days or so bicycling in Italy, most likely in the Tuscany area, but are open to suggestions. Looking to stay away from the planned bike trips and do it ourselves. Any recommendations on regions to bike and bike companies to rent from?
Thanks.
There is an entire network of bike paths in the Po River Delta over near Ferrara and Ravenna. Less strenuous biking than Tuscany. And Ferrara is very much a bicycle city.
Hi Lizth, Thanks for the info. I will look into the area.
Check out Florence by Bike. They rent bikes and offer info on riding in the Tuscany region around Florence.
Note: it's hilly! We've ridden lots of regions in Italy, and Tuscany is up there for hills. So, just be sure you are in shape, not just physically, but mentally. It's totally worth the effort!
http://www.florencebybike.it/en/touring-bike/
Look to the right and check out the Itinerary section. I'd suggest emailing them in advance to ask questions to see if this is what you want.
You want "self guided". As map and information is provided, you'll certainly enjoy your biking a lot more than doing it on your own, researching bike routes that are safe and out of traffic. They will give you info to keep you on the quieter back roads.
Here's the link from their site: http://www.florencebybike.it/en/full-day-rides/
Thanks, Ellen. We live in the front range area as well and are use to riding around here and even doing the Copper Triangle a few times. Hopefully Tuscany won't be a hilly as here :)
I rented a scooter from Dario outside of Montepulciano and did a day around southern tuscany. He was real helpful with some places and cities to visit and help plan our day trip. We didn't do one of the tours listed on the website but you can get an idea of some routes.
If you have ridden the Copper Triangle you are capable of riding whatever Tuscany has to offer. I have done several bike trips to Italy. After the first, all the rest have been self-guided. The two places in Tuscany I have based myself for several days at a time have been Siena and Lucca. Siena is very rolling, no climb longer than a mile and mostly moderate in steepness. Doing loops up through the Chianti area and east to the Castelnuavo area was great. Forested, wineries, little traffic. If you venture onto the Strade Bianchi or Le' Eroica route you will be challenged even more with steeper hills and rougher roads, but get a feeling of being way back in the woods and off the grid at times.
Lucca, is famous for its training base for pro riders. Lots of different terrain. Easy coastal roads, hilly roads just out of town, and some big mountains to the north. Both towns have lots to do off the bike and great destinations to ride to during the day.
Kwilde, I'm with you...after ONE guided trip in Italy, all the rest we've done are self guided. Not self supported (carrying our own stuff)
It's not hard to find your way around the Italian roads...if you've done it once. After a couple of our self guided trips ended, we kept our tandem together and rode out and backs to see different towns. We simply followed the road signage...
Self guided is the way to go for sure....as long as you are confident on the bike, and in traffic -- the countryside is great, getting into town can be a bit more challenging. We ride the roads in Denver all the time, and it's gotten a lot more congested, and a bit more un-bike friendly. But, we follow the traffic laws and surf the gutter when needed to stay safe.
Robert, kwilde, and Ellen,
Thanks for the information!!! I hadn't thought about scooters....Good to know we are ready for Tuscany, thanks to the Colorado "hills" Appreciate the location advice as well. That was going to be the next question I needed answering so I am set!
Thanks again!
Bryan
