CycleTouring in Italy/Spain

baudman

A good friend is wanting to plan a big (semi-surprise) trip for his partner (who is a cycle commuter - approx 10 miles a day).

He wants to do a romantic cycle around Italy/Spain. They'll have about four weeks, in Sept 2011. His first suggestion was from Milan to Barcelona. That's about 1,000km.

My friend doesn't have a bike.

So... I'm going through all the pros/cons, and also HEAVILY encouraging him to get a bike so they can cycle together over the next yr. I've also suggested some extended trips/tours/locally first.

But... getting back to it - anyone got any tips/contacts/whatever about Italy/Spain?

hdow

Baudman,

Bit of a flaw in the suggested tour in Spain/Italy in that most of it will be in France.

Suggest choosing between them. Both are excellent choices. For romance Italy wins over Spain. Seriously consider a month in Tuscany - excellent cycling, food & wine. Lots of accommodation and tons of things to do. You also get Pisa, Florence & Sienna.

In pure cycling terms I think that Spain is a better destination and would put forward a tour round the mountains & coast of Asturias & Galicia for such a trip.

HarryD

andymiller

I'd go with the advice to concentrate on one area rather than try to cover too much ground, but ... Andalucia is a great place to cycle, really quiet roads, accommodation and food is really good value, and plenty of great places to visit.

Italy on the other hand is also great. And there are lots of choices. The central plain is full of attractive and bike-friendly cities but pretty flat. On the other hand he might want to consider something like the Via Claudia Augusta going from Venice through the Dolomites and onto Venice (with the option of a bike shuttle for the bigger climbs!). www.viaclaudia.org.

Oh and I'd have thought that buying a bike would be pretty much essential - or is he planning to drive the support van while she rides?

:shock:

baudman

They're looking at buying over in Europe (prices much better than here in Australia). But yeah... I reckon they both need to get similar bikes to what they want to ride NOW... for experience/bike fitness and also so they can check fit and geo measurements.

Anyone had any experience with http://www.inntravel.co.uk/search.aspx? ... on=&date=0 ?

Oh, and I can sure see him driving, while his partner rides. However, he's keen to go the extra yard. Oh, and there'd be no 'she' involved in that.

andymiller

I've not travelled with Inn Travel but they have a very good reputation. If they're considering a supported tours there are a number of other similar companies - some national such as skedaddle.co.uk or explore or Exodus - but lots of companies specialising in particular areas (eg cyclingcountry.com specialising in the Andalucía)

baudman

Thx crew.

Well, I've given him heaps to think about. He'll have to work out a little more about what he wants to focus on, and then take it from there. My gut feel is they'll end up doing a little 3 day one.

My hope is that they both get semi-decent bikes, and ride lots over the next year, and then do a huge ride (or perhaps, a number of smaller tours) on really good bikes they buy over there, and then bring them back here

I can dream, eh?