Tuscany Cycle Siena & Chianti

15 Reviews

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  Anonymous
  Written on September 19, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  Amazing historic towns. Beautiful countryside varying from the endless rolling hills earlier in the ride to the greener, prettier hills of Chianti. Great company, delicious food and wonderful wine.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?It has to be the ride into Sienna and arriving in the main sqaure. It's also pretty amazing arriving in Piazza Michelangelo in Florence. The Piazza del Miracolos in Pisa takes some beating. or maybe it was the first taste of Vino Nobile de  Montepulciano?What did you think of your group leader?The group leaders Mike and Rudy were both great, very experienced and committed to making sure that everything went smoothly and that everyone in the group had a great time. Nothing was a problem and they worked hard all the time to make things even better.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?The distances are not long but it's quite up and down. You'll enjoy the trip more if you do some hill training before you go. There is an optional hill to ride up on the return from San Gimignano - the incline is gradual so you can certainly complete it and it's a great feeling when you reach the top and look down where you've come from!Is there anything else you would like to add?There is a local pasta called pici, which is like a fat spaghetti. It's only available freshly made so this is the only place you can get it. It's really delicious with pecorino cheese and black pepper.
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  Anonymous
  Written on August 12, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  We really enjoyed this trip, and are so glad we chose it. What a pleasure to cycle through beautiful Tuscany on some great routes. Every hill seemed to have a village on it, and you get to stop in some of them!What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Probably riding into Siena in the evening light (we were late).What did you think of your group leader?Great. Thanks Radu and Juan: Enthusiastic, organised and caring.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Well, to get to those hilltop villages you have got to get up the hills - and there are a lot of them! And some are quite long. Also, it was very hot in August, so if you struggle With hills, think about taking the holiday at a different time. That said, everyone in our group managed them.Is there anything else you would like to add?I want to do it again!
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  Anonymous
  Written on August 10, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  Not what was expected but thoroughly enjoyable.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Getting to the end without needing medical attention.What did you think of your group leader?Mike was very patient considering the differing levels of bike experience and differing budgets of fellow travellers. Its a hard job balancing everyone's expectations and Mike did a fine job.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Although the trip notes given before the trip are quite informative, I believe my fellow travellers would benefit from taking a small questionnaire before embarking on this “life changing” tour, just to make sure they fully comprehend the road ahead, shall we say.  Have you ridden 100km or more on a real life bicycle ie not on a gaming machine? Have you ridden a gym bicycle at level 15 for more than 20 secs? Do you warm up with a 60minute spin class?Have you worn top to toe lycra? Do you own several lycra outfits in bright glowing colours? Do your lycra pants have an inbuilt nappy?Do you have a bicycle without a basket on the front? Do you own more than one bicycle to accommodate different terrains?Do you and your friends “slip-stream” on weekends? Have you ever worked out your relative velocity?Can you name the last 5 winners of the Tour De France? Do you know the chemical name for EPO?Can you judge a road gradient by 2% by looking at it from a distance of 100m or more? Can you describe more than 5 different road surfaces and conditions?Have you taken your bicycle on a plane with you? Does your bicycle live in the house with you and your family and not in the garage?Have you digested something that does not resemble a food item but contains 200 calories? Does having to chew your food irritate you?Do you know what chaffing cream is? Have you weed yourself on a bicycle and rode on? If you answer yes to the above questions you are going to LOVE LOVE LOVE this holiday!!!! This is a cycling holiday that just happens to be in Tuscany, not a tour a Tuscany that happens to be on a bicycle.  If like me you don’t rides bikes, didn’t prepare, unsure of what “undulating” country-side actually means and on the chubby side, do the holiday anyway!!!! 7 days after the tour your muscles have recovered, you can sit comfortably in a chair and you have erased the memories of ingesting bugs and drinking sweat. You will be proud as punch of your achievements and only remember the gorgeous views and fabulous dinners with Tuscan wines! Just Do It!!!!!!Is there anything else you would like to add?Ditch the meal in the first hotel in San Quirico.
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  Anonymous
  Written on July 3, 2012

  5.0 - Excellent

  We have learned a new meaning for the term "undulating", but to be fair, we knew in advance that Tuscany is hilly. If you wish to cycle every km of this trip, then a reasonable level of fitness will be required. That said, the effort is well worth while. The scenery is fantastic. The road surfaces are excellent. The gravel paths are great fun and the hill top villages and towns are stunning. We were blessed with the weather to match and a fantastic group of people to share it with. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Cycling the final climb into Siena, after a 70km ride, to arrive at the famous Piazza, then to be guided through the Siena streets by Allessandro. A most memorable day. Wonderful.What did you think of your group leader?Already voted for the awards! Excellent.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Although this is described as "B" Moderate, there are some climbs (otherwise described as "undulations") but the idea is that you go at your own pace and enjoy every moment of every day and especially the wonderful scenery. There is absolutely no pressure to keep up with anyone else in the group. It is very much a "no pressure" trip, but if you are willing to push yourself, it is a great fitness challenge. ps padded cycling shorts are a must!Is there anything else you would like to add?One of the best, if not "THE" best holiday, which we have ever had. We'll be back...soon.
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  Anonymous
  Written on May 18, 2012

  5.0 - Excellent

  I enjoyed myself so much that I must book another trip quickly!  Everybody was great, really kind and supportive and our tour leader was amazing, Rudy worked 24/7 to make sure everyone's needs were catered for and gave nothing less than his honest opinion! A very memorable trip!What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?There were lots of moments especially in the first few days when i realised I would be fitter once the trip was over, how amazing the scenery was, the food was delicious and I especially enjoyed the preseco!!!  The atmosphere between everyone made the trip even better!  The entire trip was an inspirational moment!What did you think of your group leader?Rudy set such a high standard that i'm wondering if any other group leader will live up to it!  I suppose I should book another trip to find out!  Rudy took care of everyone and went beyond the usual call of duty to attend to everyone's particular needs!  All of us apprieciated the effort he put it to making our trip the best ever!Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Just book and go with the flow!  You won't regret it!Is there anything else you would like to add?Cycling up and down hills, great company, great preseco!!! What more could a person want or need!!
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  Anonymous
  Written on January 19, 2012

  3.0 - Average

  Fantastic cycling trip, beautiful picture postcard scenery and a very lovely crowd of active people and group leader and helper.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Cycling fast down the avenue of Cedar Trees and noticing the group leader managing to cycle one handed and video in hand capturing the moment. The experience was good for the soul.What did you think of your group leader?Brilliant.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Make sure you are ready for some very steep long hills, but the exhilaration of reaching the top and free wheeling through some of the most breath taking scenery is well worth it.  Wouldnt have missed it for the world.Is there anything else you would like to add?I am looking forward to my next trip !
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  Anonymous
  Written on January 19, 2012

  3.0 - Average

  Fantastic cycling trip, beautiful picture postcard scenery and a very lovely crowd of active people and group leader and helper.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Cycling fast down the avenue of Cedar Trees and noticing the group leader managing to cycle one handed and video in hand capturing the moment. The experience was good for the soul.What did you think of your group leader?Brilliant.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Make sure you are ready for some very steep long hills, but the exhilaration of reaching the top and free wheeling through some of the most breath taking scenery is well worth it.  Wouldnt have missed it for the world.Is there anything else you would like to add?I am looking forward to my next trip !
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  Anonymous
  Written on October 6, 2011

  4.0 - Good

  This trip was a great balance of exercise, culture and all round fun. The accommodation was very good too. No surprise to learn there were lots of hills, but the pacing was good for the slower ones like me, and the support was excellent. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?We had a very good group - guides and fellow travellers. This helps a lot, but in the end it's the quality of the itinerary that makes or breaks a trip, and it was in my view a very good one. I particularly liked the way it was set up so that we had one night in the starting point hotel, then 2 nights each at each hotel with loops on the second day at each. What did you think of your group leader?Guido was excellent, as was Emanuele. Both thoroughly decent people, with excellent local knowledge and always ready to help. Their recommendations for, and organisation of, meals were much appreciated. Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Take less warm clothing if you go in mid September. My cold weather gear came back with me entirely unused. Do some hill training before you go. Is there anything else you would like to add?I recommend this trip to anyone who wants a relatively relaxed touring holiday but wants a bit of a challenge to go with it. 
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  Anonymous
  Written on October 6, 2011

  4.0 - Good

  This trip was a great balance of exercise, culture and all round fun. The accommodation was very good too. No surprise to learn there were lots of hills, but the pacing was good for the slower ones like me, and the support was excellent. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?We had a very good group - guides and fellow travellers. This helps a lot, but in the end it's the quality of the itinerary that makes or breaks a trip, and it was in my view a very good one. I particularly liked the way it was set up so that we had one night in the starting point hotel, then 2 nights each at each hotel with loops on the second day at each. What did you think of your group leader?Guido was excellent, as was Emanuele. Both thoroughly decent people, with excellent local knowledge and always ready to help. Their recommendations for, and organisation of, meals were much appreciated. Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Take less warm clothing if you go in mid September. My cold weather gear came back with me entirely unused. Do some hill training before you go. Is there anything else you would like to add?I recommend this trip to anyone who wants a relatively relaxed touring holiday but wants a bit of a challenge to go with it. 
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  Anonymous
  Written on October 5, 2011

  4.0 - Good

  This was a really brilliant trip, the climbs were perhaps a little longer than what I expected but the downs were as good as anywhere I have ever been!The views were absolutley beautiful and all the Villages so well preserved. Road surfaces were excellent as were the Hotels.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Getting to the top of each hill and seeing the amazing views.Eating outside in the Piazza Del Mercato in Seinna on a beautiful moonlit night. What did you think of your group leader?Excellent ,he was always ready to give information about the local history and was full of good humor and a very relaxed guy but always in control. Do you have any advice for potential travellers?You need to be fairly fit to enjoy the biking and don't drink too much wine,  energy drinks will help you get up the hills!Is there anything else you would like to add?I would thoroughly recomend this trip to any body who likes biking ,ice creams,wine,good food,history,and wonderful countryside.