Self Guided Tuscany Bicycle Tours

Self Guided Bicycle Tours, in Tuscany or for that matter, any other part of the world, are a great way to have the independence while on holidays, but at the same time let someone else do the leg work, as long as you know what you're getting and what you're missing in the package.

The Frustrations...
Many have already taken the standard "guided" bicycle tours and have been frustrated with never seeing the guide through most of the trip, thus wondering why they paid the big bucks for a service that they never really seemed to be able to use... so what is the alternative?

Many are frustrated with the regimented pace, dictated by the evil "agenda". If a place along the way tweaks your fancy for further exploration, it's a no-can-do, as you must keep up with the pack .. so how can you get the freedom to explore?

The Solution ...
If you have experience either of these situations, It may be worth your while to consider a trip that is self-guided. Tuscany Bicycle Tours typically run 30-50 miles a day (because of the demanding hilly country) and rarely stray far from a town or some form of civilization. Thus the down side of NOT having a tour guide or support van on the trip with

you is of less significance than say it would be in Canada where you can find that the next town is 100 miles away.

Italy is a country of cyclists, most speak some English and bike shops are numerous, so as long as you can do basic roadside repairs and get yourself to the next closest town, help is not usually far away or difficult to find.

So the critical issue is to know what is included in your self-guided bicycle tour package? Accommodation, meals and bicycle rental can be quite varied in Tuscany, so one might want to have a very clear idea on whether the package you're considering is five star or hostel based, or maybe somewhere in between.

Options: Accomodations & Meals
Personally I'd rather skip the meal options and have the flexibility to make those decisions when and where I decide I need a break. That being said I do like knowing where my next bed is going to be. I accept the fact that it does dictate a path and an amount of cycling that must be accomplished on any one day to reach your designated accommodation arrangements.

 

This is the plus and minus on the travel spectrum from totally guided bicycle tours to just landing at the Florence airport and making your own arrangements a day at a time.

Expectations:
The itinerary that one might expect on a self-guided Tuscany bicycle tour should include the following:

• detailed maps and cue sheets for the route to be taken,
• contact information for all accommodation and meal arrangements
• meal plans, breakfast as a minimum is typically included but ask or chose what else you would like to consider.

The Luxuries: If you are lucky it may include the following:

• ideas on the unique touristy spots you might find along the way.
• baggage handling between hotels
• list of bike repair shops along the way
• technical support if you run into serious mechanical problems
• bicycle rental
• transfers between airport and first hotel booking
• customization of tour to fit your personal interests
• and many more options ...

More Information:
Bike Tours, Tuscany Italy