I've done a number of DIY cycling holidays in the UK and my first thought was that this looks quite expensive for what they are providing but the website keeps crashing on me so it has been hard to be sure about this. In the meantime some questions to find the answers to would be:

1) What is your own average speed? This will help you to roughly work out just how long you are likely to be in the saddle each day.

2) What is the total height climbed each day? I don't mean the altitude difference between start and finish but in effect the total uphill cycling for the day in metres. This will give you a better idea of just how strenuous each day's cycling will be and not just how many miles will be covered.

3) If you find it too much is the support van capable of carrying you and your bike to that day's destination once you have cycled yourself to a standstill?

4) Given that the basic package covers just B & B and a few lunches find out what they estimate the additional daily spend will be on the other lunches and dinners each day.

5) If you choose not to take your own bike. Ut instead to hire one through them ask not just how much that will cost but which make of bike etc you will be provided with etc.

SM

Tuscany is pretty up and down. Not much flat. Plus narrow roads and Italian drivers! I am a regular cyclist but wouldn't fancy trolling along on some of their roads.

SMa wrote:

I've done a number of DIY cycling holidays in the UK and my first thought was that this looks quite expensive for what they are providing but the website keeps crashing on me so it has been hard to be sure about this. In the meantime some questions to find the answers to would be:

1) What is your own average speed? This will help you to roughly work out just how long you are likely to be in the saddle each day.

2) What is the total height climbed each day? I don't mean the altitude difference between start and finish but in effect the total uphill cycling for the day in metres. This will give you a better idea of just how strenuous each day's cycling will be and not just how many miles will be covered.

3) If you find it too much is the support van capable of carrying you and your bike to that day's destination once you have cycled yourself to a standstill?

4) Given that the basic package covers just B & B and a few lunches find out what they estimate the additional daily spend will be on the other lunches and dinners each day.

5) If you choose not to take your own bike. Ut instead to hire one through them ask not just how much that will cost but which make of bike etc you will be provided with etc.

SM

Thanks SM, I'm not really sure about most of this. I'll have to get my wife to ask about it.

I'm not entirely sure about my average speed as I never really paid much attention to it. But it takes me just over 20 minutes (maybe 22) to get to work, and that's almost 6 miles.

Thanks for your help, A. Knight.

Hi De Hi wrote:

Tuscany is pretty up and down. Not much flat. Plus narrow roads and Italian drivers! I am a regular cyclist but wouldn't fancy trolling along on some of their roads.

This is something we hadn't considered. Have you had bad experiences with Italian drivers? I understand that drivers will be a risk anywhere but is it worse in Tuscany?

Is there somewhere else you'd recommended?

Thanks, A. Knight.

I did reply to this but its not appearing.

When I cycle to work it takes about 22 minutes, and that's just over 5 miles, but I'd rather take it slow to take in the scenery. It really looks stunning on the website.

It says that they have spare seats in the support vehicle. So if I can't manage it, or I pull a muscle I think take me to the next checkpoint.

I imagine we'll be hiring bikes as we don't have great bikes. My current one is fine for doing a half hour commute, but for anything longer than an hour I imagine it will be a little uncomfortable.

I don't know about the other questions. I've asked my wife to find out as she's the one who wants to go. So I should get an answer this weekend. Hopefully.

I hadn't considered the drivers. Would you say they're more of a risk in Tuscany than anywhere else? Where else would you recommend?

Thanks guys, I appreciate the help.

A. Knight.

i heard that all kinds of people go on these cycle tours, even really old folks. as long as you are in healthy shape, I don't see why not. They often have many stops throughout the tours.