Italy, Italy, italy

dinkdankdo10
dinkdankdo10 Posts: 180
edited June 2014 in Tour & expedition
Ok so I am hoping to get out to italy late this summer and hit the hills for 3 days. I am thinking of going to the area around Lucca.

Does anyone have any advice in terms of digs, hiring bikes etc?

Comments

  • apreading
    apreading Posts: 4,535
    Not been yet - am going on a Skedaddle tour of Tuscany next month though: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4030181

    Did read this on their blog yesterday, near Lucca: http://www.skedaddle.co.uk/blog/garfagn ... ed-forest/ If you get their itinerary for the road ride they do in that area it may give you some ideas about locations and good rides: https://www.skedaddle.co.uk/classicroad ... view.rails
  • Matthewfalle
    Matthewfalle Posts: 17,380
    Do a quick Google on past Giro stages in that area and see what tickles your fancy is an option.
    Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am

    De Sisti wrote:
    This is one of the silliest threads I've come across. :lol:

    Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honour :D
    smithy21 wrote:

    He's right you know.
  • culverwood
    culverwood Posts: 256
    edited June 2014
    The hills close to Lucca are to the North the Garfagnana and Lunigiana are both part of the Apennines within Tuscany and the Garfagnana is on Lucca's doorstep.
    http://www.terredilunigiana.com/eng/

    If you are going on a short 3 day tour I would not book ahead (unless July/August) and take pot luck at whichever town you end up that day, this has worked for us in Tuscany in the towns even in August. If you are staying in Lucca I can give you some addresses.

    The only time I have hired a bike in Lucca was to go around the walls, it was not the sort of bike you would want to attack mountains on though there were plenty of bike shops.
    http://www.pilgrimstorome.org.uk/index.html
  • homers_double
    homers_double Posts: 8,002
    If you stay outside of anything tourist based in Italy you're sure to find a room in a small B&B or an agritourismo.
    Advocate of disc brakes.
  • andymiller
    andymiller Posts: 2,856
    A bit late I know, but hopefully you've subscribed to this thread so you get notified of replies.

    As Culverwood says the Grafagnana and Lunigiana are the places to head for (basically the area between the Alpe Apuane and the Appennines). Coreglia Antelminelli is worth the climb, you could also visit Barga - 'the most Scottish town in Italy' which even has a fish and chips festival in summer (I don't know whether they also brought back a taste for Irn Bru).

    Going out of Lucca you need to watch out for a stretch of the SS12 where there's a long tunnel that's off-limits to bikes. Best bet is to take the minor roads on the eastern bank of the river Serchio and then cross over the river at Ponte a Moriano. There's a traffic-free cycleway along the Serchio. Or, if you've only got three days, you could save time and take the train.

    I've done a map/directory of bike hire firms in Italy for my website:

    http://italy-cycling-guide.info/plannin ... -in-italy/

    Chronobikes in Lucca look like they might be a good bet (Pinarello FP4 for 30€/day). Otherwise there's eco-rent in San Casciano who have various Giant TCRs. (I'm assuming you're looking to rent a road bike - both also do MTBs).

    The Garfagnana is pretty off the tourist map (as far as Toscana can be). Personally I'd book or phone ahead the night before rather than relying on chance - but a lot depends on when you go. Booking.com is probably the best was to find accommodation, although the tourism information website for the area is useful.

    The youth hostel in Lucca is very good.
    Italy Cycling Guide

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