touring tuscany umbria

Nick Hill

looking to do a two week tour in September through tuscany and umbria

don't want anything too hilly but rolling is good

any recommendations for routes or books gratefully received

Nick

Cheers

Nick

Its not a vest its a base layer!!

Cathryn

Try crazyguyonabike. Some fantastic Italy trips on that site!!

Kirbycp

Try http://www.lkjh.org/bike/tuscany/south/ ... index.html and associated links - cheers Kirby

Artmo

Take look at www.rotalis.de. We did their S.Tuscany/Umbria Tour a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it. The site will give you the route but not the details

Nick Hill

Kirby that site looks good some beautiful photos

how useful were the rough guide and lonely planet books?

we are looking to do a self guided i.e. make it up as we go along ride

Is booking accommodation essential?

cheers

Nick


Cheers

Nick

Its not a vest its a base layer!!

DamonRead

I did an organised tour of Tuscany 2 years ago. The scenery was fantastic and it is great biking territory. The hills cannot be described as rolling though - they are tougher than that.

I am investigating doing Nice to Florence in September. Am hoping that this will be at the flatter coastal edge of Tuscany !

psmiffy

I went Florence Nice a coupla years back and not very flat at all in some places along coast

mark1956

I spent two weeks last May in Tuscany and Umbria, from Florence to Siena and south to Pitigliano, then from Spoleto to Norcia/Monte Sibillini/Piano Grande area. Very pretty countryside, well worth a visit, but the terrain is not what I would call rolling. I was climbing grades of 10% - 15% on a pretty regular basis. The scenery is well worth the effort, though.

I found the TCI regional maps really useful, they're about 1:200 000 or 1:250 000 scale and shaded to show contours. They show just about all the roads except the most remote dirt roads. I got some ideas for my route from the Lonely Planet cycling guide to Italy, which may or may not still be in print. I also used the Rough Guides for Tuscany and for Florence and Siena, which were really helpful.

mark

jumbolugs

I have the TCI (1:200000) maps of Tuscany, Umbria Marche and Abruzzo Molise, all in brand-new condition and yours for the price of the postage if you want them - I bought them about 6 years ago for a tour that never happened. Would like to see them get used. They're lovely maps.

Nick Hill

Jumbo PM sent thanks for the kind offer I can trade you for some french maps if your going that way?

10-15% is ok

as long as I don't tell the missus (although she is in training)

I like the idea of a self guided tour so will look into this as well

Cheers

Nick

Its not a vest its a base layer!!

xilios

Just came back from cycling through Italy and Greece.
One must see route/road is the R222 from Florence to Siena, some climbing but you got see it. Highly recomended [:)]


www.geocities.com/bike_journeys/index.html

mark1956

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by xilios</i>

Just came back from cycling through Italy and Greece.
One must see route/road is the R222 from Florence to Siena, some climbing but you got see it. Highly recomended [:)]


www.geocities.com/bike_journeys/index.html
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

I looked at my map and most of my route from Florence to Siena followed the R222. I agree, it's a very pretty ride. Montefioralle (just outside Greve in Chianti) was my first look at an Italian hill town, its a very pretty little village and well worth the stiff climb up from Greve. Thanks for bringing back the memory!

mark

whoof

Leaving fora 2 week tour of Tuscany on Monday if I find any great places to stay/see I'll let you know.

in a hole with a dog!

Nick Hill

Cheers whoof

where are you flying into /starting from?

Nick

Cheers

Nick

Its not a vest its a base layer!!

whoof

Flew from Bristol to Pisa.
Pisa airport is right on the edge of town. About 10 minutes ride from the leaning tower and 15 minutes from the campsite.
Things I can recommend (or not).
The campsite at Fiesole (just outside Florence) is very good, and up a ~5km climb above the city. It has a swimminng that looks down over the city, very spectacular. Can leave your bike safely in the campsite and the (after a 10~15 minute walk) in to Fiesole catch a very regular bus into the centre of Florence for 1.20 Euros.

Siena is also a great city if you like old buildings.
Please note however the only campsite in Siena is shut.
We stayed in a hotel 2 minutes from the main square. 50 Euros for a clean and basic room and bike in a sucure garage. I forget the name but it's the one recommended in the Lonely Planet Cycling in Italy guide.

The walled towns south of Florence, San Gimignano (campsite 1 mile from town with a bus leaving from the campsite for 1 Euro return)and Volterre are lovely.

The island of Elba was good for a few days chilling out. Ferry from Piombino for about 25-30 Euros each way.Stayed at the campsites at Aquaviva and the one next door. The water is warm and really clear and great for snorkling ( you can pick up a cheap mask and snorkle in the COOP on Elba.

If you feel you want to miss bits out try trains. Piombino to Pisa less than 10 Euros with a carriage for the bikes. Makes sure you book the bike on as they are only allowed on some trians.

in a hole with a dog!

Nick Hill

Cheers whoof

sounds like just what we want to di with a mix of cycling and chilling out

Any chance you could PM me with a more detailed route or did you make it up as you went along ;-)

Cheers

Nick

Its not a vest its a base layer!!