Cycling in Tuscany Italy

kildarecommuter

Thinking of going on hols to Italy this summer and doing some cycling while there
Does anyone know if it's easy to hire bikes do most towns have a LBS etc ?

happytramp

I can't speak for all of Tuscany but I've been cycling in and around Chianti (arguably the most idyllic region in Tuscany) on a few occasions. It's a region synonymous with cycling. All of the small medieval hilltop towns had gift shops selling cycling gear/jerseys/caps etc. Sienna and Florence had several places for bike rental and most of the smaller towns had bikes for rent at their tourist offices, although those seemed to be mostly touring bikes as opposed to dedicated road bikes. There's loads of road bike rental places in Tuscany/Chianti that have websites, I'm sure if you search you'll find a good deal.

mollybird

im looking to do the same in sept happytramp so thanks for that bit of info.

Henwin

I'm thinking of booking my honeymoon in Chianti in October, looks like a relly nice place and we wud love to do a bit of cycling. The narrow roads mite be the only off putting thing there.

happytramp

Henwin wrote: »

I'm thinking of booking my honeymoon in Chianti in October, looks like a relly nice place and we wud love to do a bit of cycling. The narrow roads mite be the only off putting thing there.

The roads are fantastic both for driving and cycling. If you're there in October check out the L'Eroica vintage bike ride, it's amazing craic.

Hauki

Planning to head out for a week of riding in April and I was considering Tuscany-region as one option. Can anyone recommend any particular place? I was looking at Pisa as it can be reach by direct flight from Dublin.

On the topic any recommendations for scenic road riding destinations (France, Italy, Spain, etc) in April are welcome. I'm looking to rent a bike from my destination.

Daithi BC

Henwin wrote: »

I'm thinking of booking my honeymoon in Chianti in October, looks like a relly nice place and we wud love to do a bit of cycling. The narrow roads mite be the only off putting thing there.

As happytramp says, the roads in Chianti are great. Not a metre of flat, all uphill or downhill. And, despite Italian drivers being generally crazy, they are remarkably patient near bikes.

aindriu80

is it hard to get a bike sorted ? what if you were picky. I think cannondale do tours in italia with their bikes but the price is not cheap.

DominoDub

If you win the Lotto ..you could sign up you and a few mates for something like this from "Rapha"


Full price of trip

€2900 (excluding airfare):eek:


http://pages.rapha.cc/travel/retreats/rapha-retreat-tuscany

aindriu80

DominoDub wrote: »

If you win the Lotto ..you could sign up you and a few mates for something like this from "Rapha"


Full price of trip

€2900 (excluding airfare):eek:


http://pages.rapha.cc/travel/retreats/rapha-retreat-tuscany

that looks very expensive, something much cheaper please, could you bring your own bike on the plane, how would you manage that one ?

Brendan Hennessy

KildareCommuter, soon to be betrothed Henwin and springtime traveller Hauki,

As my fellow vintage cyclists Happytramp and Dáithí say if you're going to Tuscany you should check out L'eroica, the epicentre of which is a beautiful little village called Gaiole. There's sure to be modern bike rental there, but definitely vintage steel is the way to go. There are permanent signs up for the L'eroica routes which take you over fine hills on gravel and tarmac roads.

Taking your flights into account perhaps Sienna is a better base, but the place is full of 'agritourismos' which are reasonably priced, beautifully located and, damn it, I'm jealous already!

Here's a pic of the type of sunshine you can expect as it caresses a wall with it's autumnal heat...and my Mercian. Note the band holding the bottle - those gravel roads are bumpy! Finally, gratuitous plug for the vintage spin in Conamara weekend after next!

Ciao! Brendan

pprendeville

There's an Italian rider with Navan CC, Matteo Cigala. Worth contacting him on Facebook. Lovely Chao and has setup his own cycling tours company recently.

Hauki

Thanks for the advice! Will surely check the mentioned locations.