Tuscany on a bicycle
Feb 16th, 2004 | 02:06 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Tuscany on a bicycle
lupell
Date: 02/16/2004, 05:47 pm
Message: We want to spend two weeks in Tuscany this summer one of which will be on our bicycles. Many many tourists at that time ! am sure. Is it possible to avoid a few and still get a wonderful ride ? Would love to hear from anybody who has biked in that region. A little hilly I hear? Are there good bikes to rent?
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Date: 02/16/2004, 05:47 pm
Message: We want to spend two weeks in Tuscany this summer one of which will be on our bicycles. Many many tourists at that time ! am sure. Is it possible to avoid a few and still get a wonderful ride ? Would love to hear from anybody who has biked in that region. A little hilly I hear? Are there good bikes to rent?
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Feb 19th, 2004 | 06:36 AM
#2
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,060
Likes: 0
I have not cycled Italy but have done several other countries. Look at the bike touring companies that go there and see where they go. Get a good map and see how many small roads there are. Several tour companies have tours there so I imagine it is good cycling, altho hilly (they are called Tuscan Hill Towns)
The best advice I ever heard about cycling in Italy is to look like you are serious about it and then you will be afforded courtesy from the drivers.
Check the Cyclist touring CLub website
The best advice I ever heard about cycling in Italy is to look like you are serious about it and then you will be afforded courtesy from the drivers.
Check the Cyclist touring CLub website
Feb 19th, 2004 | 01:11 PM
#3
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
My wife and I spent 2+ weeks cycling in Tuscany a few years ago. We rode from Florence-San Gimangano-Volterra-Siena-Pienza - Sinalunga-Gorganza - Radda in Chianti- Greve -Florence, with many day rides.The riding was awesome. Lots and lots of climbing, but no problem with low gears and lots of patience. Since most towns are medieval and built on hill tops for safety, you invariably need to climb to reach them. Well worth the effort. We brought our own folding bikes - we have had problems in the past bringing our full sized bikes. I can't advise on renting. I have spoken with others who have rented and have heard the full range from completely satisfied to unsatisfied. You may want to check the Trento Bike Pages. It is forum for bike touring diaries. There may be some writers who have rented and you can contact them.
There is no better way to see the towns and country-side than by bike. When approaching locals the bike tends to be an ice breaker for starting conversations - and we speak no Italian.
We enjoyed our riding so much that we are going back to ride in Umbria and east Tuscany this year.
Good luck.
Jeff
There is no better way to see the towns and country-side than by bike. When approaching locals the bike tends to be an ice breaker for starting conversations - and we speak no Italian.
We enjoyed our riding so much that we are going back to ride in Umbria and east Tuscany this year.
Good luck.
Jeff
Feb 19th, 2004 | 01:24 PM
#4
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,549
Likes: 0
Jeff--
This I know is off the original subject, but I really want to hear about your folding bikes. We've tried renting in Europe and have had abysmal luck with getting decent rentals. We've just started to think about folding bikes and have been doing some investigating. What kind do you have, how do you like them, how do you transport them, and have you had any problems with damage or anything else on the airlines? I should add that we like to bike but are not dyed in the wool use the bike for all transportation types of tourists. We would probabbly like to use them for daytrips of 25 or 30 miles. Do you jave the ones with larger wheels so you can use a rack and panniers? Thanks.
This I know is off the original subject, but I really want to hear about your folding bikes. We've tried renting in Europe and have had abysmal luck with getting decent rentals. We've just started to think about folding bikes and have been doing some investigating. What kind do you have, how do you like them, how do you transport them, and have you had any problems with damage or anything else on the airlines? I should add that we like to bike but are not dyed in the wool use the bike for all transportation types of tourists. We would probabbly like to use them for daytrips of 25 or 30 miles. Do you jave the ones with larger wheels so you can use a rack and panniers? Thanks.
Feb 20th, 2004 | 05:57 AM
#5
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Julies- Sounds like your riding needs and riding levels are similar to ours. We love to see the world from a bike seat, but we are not strong riders. We do persevere thought.
Our bikes are New World Tourists made by Bike Friday (http://www.bikefriday.com/). The bikes are great. They are geared low and very effectively flatten out all those hills. I carry full size front and rear panniers and my wife carries rear panniers. The Fridays are high performance and very comfortable, with excellent components. Our full size touring bikes are no more comfortable than the Fridays. They fold easily and fit into a standard size hard shell suitcase. Internal supports, that you slip into the suitcase, provide excellent protection from mishandling by the airlines. Some suitcase brands work better than others. We use a Carlton, made in England, but some Samsonite suitcases also work well.
We have had no problem on the airlines going to Europe. There is no extra charge for shipping a bike to Europe, even a full size bike. I haven't tried carrying it as check in on a domestic flight - except connecting flights. There shouldn't be any additional charge domestically since the suitcase is standard size. I know others who use Fridays for foreign travel and none have experienced any shipping problems nor any performance issues.
Our bikes have 20" wheels. The only real performance differences we have noticed,due to the small wheels, is that they tend to exaggerate bumps (the smaller diameter rim doesn't bridge bumps and cracks in pavement as well as a full size wheel) and the geometry of the bikes make the handling very nimble. We haven't had any trouble adjusting to these differences. I find that I like the handling better when I am carrying a front pannier. My wife notices little difference.
The bikes are also a godsend when it comes to getting on a train. In some countries many trains don't allow
bikes as baggage. Not only is it easy to get on any train, you can take them in cabs and they can be fold up and easily stored in your hotel room.
We tend to fly into a city and leave our suitcases at our hotel. They we travel with lightweight carry bags for the bike if we expect to be using public transportation. The carry bag usually isn't necessary though. Bike Friday has an accessory that converts the suitcase to very functional trailer. I haven't used one, but I have spoken to other who have.
To date, we have used these bikes on multi-week rides in Spain, France (we rode across France last fall), Tuscany,and rides along the Maine Coast - our home.
Good luck. Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions.
Jeff
Our bikes are New World Tourists made by Bike Friday (http://www.bikefriday.com/). The bikes are great. They are geared low and very effectively flatten out all those hills. I carry full size front and rear panniers and my wife carries rear panniers. The Fridays are high performance and very comfortable, with excellent components. Our full size touring bikes are no more comfortable than the Fridays. They fold easily and fit into a standard size hard shell suitcase. Internal supports, that you slip into the suitcase, provide excellent protection from mishandling by the airlines. Some suitcase brands work better than others. We use a Carlton, made in England, but some Samsonite suitcases also work well.
We have had no problem on the airlines going to Europe. There is no extra charge for shipping a bike to Europe, even a full size bike. I haven't tried carrying it as check in on a domestic flight - except connecting flights. There shouldn't be any additional charge domestically since the suitcase is standard size. I know others who use Fridays for foreign travel and none have experienced any shipping problems nor any performance issues.
Our bikes have 20" wheels. The only real performance differences we have noticed,due to the small wheels, is that they tend to exaggerate bumps (the smaller diameter rim doesn't bridge bumps and cracks in pavement as well as a full size wheel) and the geometry of the bikes make the handling very nimble. We haven't had any trouble adjusting to these differences. I find that I like the handling better when I am carrying a front pannier. My wife notices little difference.
The bikes are also a godsend when it comes to getting on a train. In some countries many trains don't allow
bikes as baggage. Not only is it easy to get on any train, you can take them in cabs and they can be fold up and easily stored in your hotel room.
We tend to fly into a city and leave our suitcases at our hotel. They we travel with lightweight carry bags for the bike if we expect to be using public transportation. The carry bag usually isn't necessary though. Bike Friday has an accessory that converts the suitcase to very functional trailer. I haven't used one, but I have spoken to other who have.
To date, we have used these bikes on multi-week rides in Spain, France (we rode across France last fall), Tuscany,and rides along the Maine Coast - our home.
Good luck. Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions.
Jeff
Feb 20th, 2004 | 06:00 AM
#6
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Julies- Sounds like your riding needs and riding levels are similar to ours. We love to see the world from a bike seat, but we are not strong riders. We do persevere thought.
Our bikes are New World Tourists made by Bike Friday (http://www.bikefriday.com/). The bikes are great. They are geared low and very effectively flatten out all those hills. I carry full size front and rear panniers and my wife carries rear panniers. The Fridays are high performance and very comfortable, with excellent components. Our full size touring bikes are no more comfortable than the Fridays. They fold easily and fit into a standard size hard shell suitcase. Internal supports, that you slip into the suitcase, provide excellent protection from mishandling by the airlines. Some suitcase brands work better than others. We use a Carlton, made in England, but some Samsonite suitcases also work well.
We have had no problem on the airlines going to Europe. There is no extra charge for shipping a bike to Europe, even a full size bike. I haven't tried carrying it as check in on a domestic flight - except connecting flights. There shouldn't be any additional charge domestically since the suitcase is standard size. I know others who use Fridays for foreign travel and none have experienced any shipping problems nor any performance issues.
Our bikes have 20" wheels. The only real performance differences we have noticed,due to the small wheels, is that they tend to exaggerate bumps (the smaller diameter rims don't bridge bumps and cracks in pavement as well as a full size wheel) and the geometry of the bikes make the handling very nimble. We haven't had any trouble adjusting to these differences. I find that I like the handling better when I am carrying a front pannier. My wife notices little difference.
The bikes are also a godsend when it comes to getting on a train. In some countries many trains don't allow
bikes as baggage. Not only is it easy to get on any train, you can take them in cabs and they can be fold up and easily stored in your hotel room.
We tend to fly into a city and leave our suitcases at our hotel. Then we travel with lightweight carry bags for the bike if we expect to be using public transportation. The carry bag usually isn't necessary though. Bike Friday has an accessory that converts the suitcase to very functional trailer. I haven't used one, but I have spoken to others who have. One guy I know of rode one around the world.
To date, we have used these bikes on multi-week rides in Spain, France (we rode across France last fall), Tuscany,and rides along the Maine Coast - our home.
Bike Fridays look like toys, but they are high quality bikes.
Good luck. Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions.
Jeff
Our bikes are New World Tourists made by Bike Friday (http://www.bikefriday.com/). The bikes are great. They are geared low and very effectively flatten out all those hills. I carry full size front and rear panniers and my wife carries rear panniers. The Fridays are high performance and very comfortable, with excellent components. Our full size touring bikes are no more comfortable than the Fridays. They fold easily and fit into a standard size hard shell suitcase. Internal supports, that you slip into the suitcase, provide excellent protection from mishandling by the airlines. Some suitcase brands work better than others. We use a Carlton, made in England, but some Samsonite suitcases also work well.
We have had no problem on the airlines going to Europe. There is no extra charge for shipping a bike to Europe, even a full size bike. I haven't tried carrying it as check in on a domestic flight - except connecting flights. There shouldn't be any additional charge domestically since the suitcase is standard size. I know others who use Fridays for foreign travel and none have experienced any shipping problems nor any performance issues.
Our bikes have 20" wheels. The only real performance differences we have noticed,due to the small wheels, is that they tend to exaggerate bumps (the smaller diameter rims don't bridge bumps and cracks in pavement as well as a full size wheel) and the geometry of the bikes make the handling very nimble. We haven't had any trouble adjusting to these differences. I find that I like the handling better when I am carrying a front pannier. My wife notices little difference.
The bikes are also a godsend when it comes to getting on a train. In some countries many trains don't allow
bikes as baggage. Not only is it easy to get on any train, you can take them in cabs and they can be fold up and easily stored in your hotel room.
We tend to fly into a city and leave our suitcases at our hotel. Then we travel with lightweight carry bags for the bike if we expect to be using public transportation. The carry bag usually isn't necessary though. Bike Friday has an accessory that converts the suitcase to very functional trailer. I haven't used one, but I have spoken to others who have. One guy I know of rode one around the world.
To date, we have used these bikes on multi-week rides in Spain, France (we rode across France last fall), Tuscany,and rides along the Maine Coast - our home.
Bike Fridays look like toys, but they are high quality bikes.
Good luck. Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions.
Jeff
Feb 20th, 2004 | 03:08 PM
#7
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,549
Likes: 0
Jeff--
Thanks so much for the thoughtful reply. Bike Fridays look good but are a little more than we want to spend I think. We have been maybe thinking about Dahons. They are cheaper and there are actually some available here in Minneapolis. AS you can guess though, since you live in Maine, a test ride right now is probably not possible.
I also saw an old post of yours looking for some info on the Czech Republic, small towns and biking. I can't help you too much on the biking part, but I can help you on nice areas and lodging. We had a car when we visited there a couple summers ago, and I have lots of suggestions on where to spend your time. I guess i should also comment that my daughter's friend took a 3 month tour of Europe by bike a couple years ago. When we were getting ready to go to the CR I called him and adked about biking there. He was pretty negative about the whole thing because of the trucks on the main highways. We did rent bikes for a day around Trebon and it was a marvelous place to bike. We wished we'd had another day there. If you still want info let me know. Thanks again.
Thanks so much for the thoughtful reply. Bike Fridays look good but are a little more than we want to spend I think. We have been maybe thinking about Dahons. They are cheaper and there are actually some available here in Minneapolis. AS you can guess though, since you live in Maine, a test ride right now is probably not possible.
I also saw an old post of yours looking for some info on the Czech Republic, small towns and biking. I can't help you too much on the biking part, but I can help you on nice areas and lodging. We had a car when we visited there a couple summers ago, and I have lots of suggestions on where to spend your time. I guess i should also comment that my daughter's friend took a 3 month tour of Europe by bike a couple years ago. When we were getting ready to go to the CR I called him and adked about biking there. He was pretty negative about the whole thing because of the trucks on the main highways. We did rent bikes for a day around Trebon and it was a marvelous place to bike. We wished we'd had another day there. If you still want info let me know. Thanks again.
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Feb 23rd, 2004 | 12:57 PM
#8
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Julies- Too bad the Fridays don't fit the budget. They didn't fit ours either. However, when we travel overseas with them we are awful happy about our decision.
Concerning the Dahons, LL Bean, my employer,carries a Dahon model (http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/sto...ch&feat=sr). I have ridden it around town, and would not recommend it for touring, especially in hilly terrain. I know Dahon has higher level models available that may be more appropriate.
Concerning the Czech Republic, I am definitely interested in hearing your suggestions. Your daughter's friend voiced our major concern. However, maps indicate that there might be enough backroads to piece together a trip. I have been given a contact, who works for a bike touring company, in CR who hopefully can help us plan a trip. We have ruled out riding in Hungry due to the lack of secondary roads. Riding in Spain was excellent, but the choice of backroads limited. We don't enjoy dealing with traffic and pollution no matter how pretty the country-side is.
Concerning the Dahons, LL Bean, my employer,carries a Dahon model (http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/sto...ch&feat=sr). I have ridden it around town, and would not recommend it for touring, especially in hilly terrain. I know Dahon has higher level models available that may be more appropriate.
Concerning the Czech Republic, I am definitely interested in hearing your suggestions. Your daughter's friend voiced our major concern. However, maps indicate that there might be enough backroads to piece together a trip. I have been given a contact, who works for a bike touring company, in CR who hopefully can help us plan a trip. We have ruled out riding in Hungry due to the lack of secondary roads. Riding in Spain was excellent, but the choice of backroads limited. We don't enjoy dealing with traffic and pollution no matter how pretty the country-side is.
