We have a couple of days at the end of our trip next month, and would like to bike around the Tuscan countryside. Has anyone used "IBikeItaly" for their short trips? Or any biking in that area, for that matter...

Feltoni,
Good topic, we're going to be based near San Gimignano for a week and looking for possible biking excursions in the area, perhaps Castelvecchio or Montaione (San Vivaldo) area. Would be interested in anyone's inputs to this area and/or other suggestions. We plan to just rent bikes and do it ourselves.
Happy travels.

We too would love suggestions on where to rent bikes. Areas of interest would be Assisi and also Sienna. Someone mentioned the website "lonely planet"
I didn't have luck in searching my areas but you might find something.
Cheers.

Hi All,

I'm also looking for independent one-day bike trips I can take from Montalcino. So far I've found One Step Closer (www.onestepcloser.net) that arranges individual travel in Tuscany, and Girosolo (www.girosolo.com) that arranges independent walking & hiking tours in Tuscany. I've e-mailed them both to see what they can do for me but have no reply yet.

I'll post again if I get any news. In the meantime,

ttt.

s

My husband & I biked with I Bike Italy five years ago and we had such a great time, we are going back to Tuscany in September for a six day biking tour with Great Explorations. You will have a great time with them - enjoy!

Swanday, I'm looking forward to reading responses--if you get them. I've not had good communication inre: this subject from the tour operator so far.

One thing we have learned from previous bike trips is how nice it is to have our gear be at our destination without our having to schlep it...And, the camaraderie of other bikers at days-end is cool, too. Those are 2 shortfalls of the idependant bike trips, I think.

Declady: Thanks for the feedback. Do you remember what town you overnighted in?

My mother and I used I Bike Italy for their one day tour around Fiesole. It was a highlight of our trip. The ride was quite easy if you are in okay shape. The bikes were of good quality and in good repair.

We spent the day riding along back country roads winding through olive groves with great views back to Florence. Our guide was great - very knowledgable and the other people in the group were friendly and just as excited to be there as we were. We stopped at a country spot for a fabulous lunch with great wine. What more could you ask for?!

Definitly highly recommended by both my mother and I.

Just a note - at the time my mother was 60 and I was 25. We both were able to do the ride with ease. For people who got tired they could ride in the van.

Feltoni, I also did the one day trip. When I looked into the 2 day trip last summer, they didn't seem to be offering it anymore. Perhaps this has changed ? I would definitely consider doing it some time in the future - with my teenagers next time too as I think they would love it.