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06-04.-2004, 06:23 AM
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#1 |
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Italy trip - who to choose?
My buddy and I want to do a bicycling trip through Tuscany. (Maybe I should
say eat our way through Tuscany!) We are both in mid 50's typically ride 100-150 miles/week with 2,500 - 4,000 ft elevation climb. ("Rolling hills of the Finger Lakes" in NY state) A few trips we saw look like hard peddling - by folks who value saddle time at 20 mph as more important than a good pecorino and bottle of red. Anybody have any recommendations?? Cost is not that much of an object... Thanks! John |
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06-04.-2004, 08:03 AM
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#2 |
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Re: Italy trip - who to choose?
JR wrote:
>My buddy and I want to do a bicycling trip through Tuscany. (Maybe I should >say eat our way through Tuscany!) > >We are both in mid 50's typically ride 100-150 miles/week with 2,500 - 4,000 >ft elevation climb. ("Rolling hills of the Finger Lakes" in NY state) > >A few trips we saw look like hard peddling - by folks who value saddle time >at 20 mph as more important than a good pecorino and bottle of red. > >Anybody have any recommendations?? Cost is not that much of an object... > >Thanks! > Buy two plane tickets - pack up your bikes (camping gear if that suits you) - and go. Pick out the places you want to see, get cycling/road maps (in Italy) and start riding. I know a few roads, routes, and places I could recommend. From the sounds of it (wanting to eat, rather than race your way through Tuscany), this mode of travel would suit you best. Their are hotels, agratourismo, campeggios, restaurants, Trattorias e.g., .... http://www.agriturismo.com/englisch.htm The best way to do it, though, is to just get yourself over there (Rome? Pisa?), buy a good cycling map (I have suggestions), ask questions, and "play it by ear." There's no need to be dependent on a confining, planned tour. Definitely not in Toscana. -- ***************************** Chuck Anderson • Boulder, CO http://www.CycleTourist.com Integrity is obvious. The lack of it is common. ***************************** |
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06-04.-2004, 02:54 PM
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#3 |
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Re: Italy trip - who to choose?
On Tue, 6 Apr 2004, Michael MacClancy wrote:
> Take a look at Allan Nelson's report: > http://www.bikeit.eclipse.co.uk/Italy98/index.htm You beat me to that! Trust every detail my friend Allan has so graciously reported. I wouldn't be so sure about the pictures ... . Sergio Pisa |
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06-04.-2004, 03:24 PM
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#4 |
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Re: Italy trip - who to choose?
On Mon, 05 Apr 2004 21:23:59 GMT, JR wrote:
> My buddy and I want to do a bicycling trip through Tuscany. (Maybe I should > say eat our way through Tuscany!) > > We are both in mid 50's typically ride 100-150 miles/week with 2,500 - 4,000 > ft elevation climb. ("Rolling hills of the Finger Lakes" in NY state) > > A few trips we saw look like hard peddling - by folks who value saddle time > at 20 mph as more important than a good pecorino and bottle of red. > > Anybody have any recommendations?? Cost is not that much of an object... > > Thanks! > > John Take a look at Allan Nelson's report: http://www.bikeit.eclipse.co.uk/Italy98/index.htm -- Michael MacClancy Random putdown - "I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't it." -Groucho Marx www.macclancy.demon.co.uk www.macclancy.co.uk |
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07-04.-2004, 03:16 PM
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#5 |
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Re: Italy trip - who to choose?
On 6 Apr 2004, Fred Roses wrote:
> The previous posters have encouraged you to go on your own, but that's > not for everybody! Maybe you want ... I still think anyone with a tiny bit of experience of travelling can go on his own, with the TCI Atlas at hand and a few tips from the locals. Guaranteed to be a lot more F&F&F: Fun, Freedom and Food. Still, if you insist on an organized package by someone who has been running Tuscan tours a good many years, you may try either CUSTMWALKS or the Cinghiale Tours, by the Hampstens in Castagneto Carducci. Sergio Pisa |
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08-04.-2004, 07:11 AM
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#6 |
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Re: Italy trip - who to choose?
I am enjoying the info from everyone and it is most appreciated. While I am
becoming convinced that it is very easy to chart one's own course, my thoughts are to let a pro outfit blaze the first trail and then do my own next time. Thought process is that the tour outfit will have scoped out pretty decent places to eat and very bike-able routes. Sort of like, why reinvent the wheel? But... that does not mean I don't value the ideas and thoughts from all - and especially Allan Nelson's great site! Please, if there are any other thoughts, please pass them on! John |
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08-04.-2004, 10:21 AM
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#7 |
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Re: Italy trip - who to choose?
We did a tour a few years ago with Experience Plus. Cost and terrain was a
consideration of ours. Had cost or terrain not been a factor (ended up I was four months pregnant when the tour rolled around so was glad that we didn't blow our savings or have too many hills to climb) I probably would have gone with Andy's tours. "JR" <john@NospaMzinguy.com> wrote in message news:y0%cc.6164$%b5.4229@twister.nyroc.rr.com... > I am enjoying the info from everyone and it is most appreciated. While I am > becoming convinced that it is very easy to chart one's own course, my > thoughts are to let a pro outfit blaze the first trail and then do my own > next time. Thought process is that the tour outfit will have scoped out > pretty decent places to eat and very bike-able routes. Sort of like, why > reinvent the wheel? > > But... that does not mean I don't value the ideas and thoughts from all - > and especially Allan Nelson's great site! > > Please, if there are any other thoughts, please pass them on! > > John > > |
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08-04.-2004, 01:37 PM
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#8 |
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Re: Italy trip - who to choose?
> Still, if you insist on an organized package by someone who has been
> running Tuscan tours a good many years, you may try either CUSTMWALKS or > the Cinghiale Tours, by the Hampstens in Castagneto Carducci. I would add www.bikecamp.com. Connie and Davis have been living in Italy for several years now, and their staff is typically a combination of Italians and retired racers from the U.S. The camps I attended had a wide mix of abilities - everything from active racers to club riders, and everyone seemed to have a great time. Fantastic people - highly recommended. Email me if you want to discuss further. Chris Neary diabloridr@yahoo.com |
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09-04.-2004, 09:47 AM
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#9 |
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Re: Italy trip - who to choose?
All this talk has inspired me to *finally* create a set of web pages to
document my route from Rome to Florence - along with a smattering of pictures. http://cycletourist.com/Rome_to_Florence JR wrote: >I am enjoying the info from everyone and it is most appreciated. While I am >becoming convinced that it is very easy to chart one's own course, my >thoughts are to let a pro outfit blaze the first trail and then do my own >next time. Thought process is that the tour outfit will have scoped out >pretty decent places to eat and very bike-able routes. Sort of like, why >reinvent the wheel? > > I understand. To each his own. I'd go with Andy Hampsten's group or Carpenter-Phinney. But then, I live in Boulder where they are near legends who lived here in their hey days. -- ***************************** Chuck Anderson • Boulder, CO http://www.CycleTourist.com Integrity is obvious. The lack of it is common. ***************************** |
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09-04.-2004, 10:03 AM
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#10 |
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Re: Italy trip - who to choose?
I did a tour (with a friend) from France / Provence to Italy / Tuscany in
2002. I didn't use a touring company, and I saved a bundle. We used maps, found places to stay, and ate at good restaurants. Pictures from my tour can be found at http://biketour.garysmiley.com . Good luck! "JR" <john@NospaMzinguy.com> wrote in message news:y0%cc.6164$%b5.4229@twister.nyroc.rr.com... > I am enjoying the info from everyone and it is most appreciated. While I am > becoming convinced that it is very easy to chart one's own course, my > thoughts are to let a pro outfit blaze the first trail and then do my own > next time. Thought process is that the tour outfit will have scoped out > pretty decent places to eat and very bike-able routes. Sort of like, why > reinvent the wheel? > > But... that does not mean I don't value the ideas and thoughts from all - > and especially Allan Nelson's great site! > > Please, if there are any other thoughts, please pass them on! > > John > > |
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10-04.-2004, 01:43 AM
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#11 |
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Re: Italy trip - who to choose?
MMMMM, Not to keen on the Connie/Davis trip.....I booked with them years ago
while they were in Colorado. I had to cancel (several weeks out) due to elbow surgery. Despite promises from Connie, I never did receive a refund or even the offer of another trip. Kept being off and she finally blamed the resort (Beaver Creek). Not a good experience and Connie's abrasive personality didn't make it better. So as they used to say in Italy....Caveat Emptor -- Biff Meddle not in the affairs of dragons.... as you is crunchy and taste good with ketchup "Chris Neary" <diabloridr@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:cdfd2d01.0404072037.15a1fa3e@posting.google.com... > > Still, if you insist on an organized package by someone who has been > > running Tuscan tours a good many years, you may try either CUSTMWALKS or > > the Cinghiale Tours, by the Hampstens in Castagneto Carducci. > > I would add www.bikecamp.com. > > Connie and Davis have been living in Italy for several years now, and > their staff is typically a combination of Italians and retired racers > from the U.S. > > The camps I attended had a wide mix of abilities - everything from > active racers to club riders, and everyone seemed to have a great > time. > > Fantastic people - highly recommended. > > Email me if you want to discuss further. > > Chris Neary > diabloridr@yahoo.com |
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10-04.-2004, 02:29 AM
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#12 |
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Re: Italy trip - who to choose?
Hi John
First of all, thanks for the kind comments on the site - much appreciated, and glad you found it useful. I'll just say, I've never done a 'guided' tour, and it doesn't appeal to me at all, but I realise that others love them, and if you haven't got a riding buddy or two, then it's probably a great way to meet some. My reasons for not considering one? I guess first of all, I find that planning the tour is almost as much fun as riding it. I'll never forget the first tour we did abroad. The adrenalin was certainly pumping as we rolled out of Pisa airport, not really knowing what to expect, and not speaking a word of Italian - well perhaps a couple! Booking the first nights accommodation - by phone - was interesting ;-) But for me, that's what makes it a bit more of an adventure, and you certainly feel a great sense of achievement. Secondly, I'd say you're likely to mix more with the locals rather than stick with the group each night. Finally - think of the money you'll save! You can spend that on food, wine, the bike! :-)) Whatever you choose, hope you have a great trip. (and if you do decide to plan your own trip there's no shortage of people out there willing to help / advise) Cheeers... Allan. ~~~ http://www.bikeit.eclipse.co.uk/index.htm Italian Cycle tour reports and the home of... Cycling Before Lycra JR wrote: > I am enjoying the info from everyone and it is most appreciated. > While I am becoming convinced that it is very easy to chart one's own > course, my thoughts are to let a pro outfit blaze the first trail and > then do my own next time. Thought process is that the tour outfit > will have scoped out pretty decent places to eat and very bike-able > routes. Sort of like, why reinvent the wheel? > > But... that does not mean I don't value the ideas and thoughts from > all - and especially Allan Nelson's great site! > > Please, if there are any other thoughts, please pass them on! > > John |
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