FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

Why Italy?
Because Italians love life, are fanatical about cycling and genuinely like Americans! Not only is Italy beautiful and the cuisine fabulous but it has a truly unique, almost obsessive relationship with cycling. It is a place where road cycling is respected and revered, where “to ride is to live”. Our base in Emilia-Romagna is home to perhaps the densest population of cyclists anywhere in the world… The weekends find the roads swarming with thousands of cyclists of all ages!

What is your typical client profile?
Our clients are serious riders, more than recreational riders. Many have raced or are “racers”; however, most just love cycling. They come to Italy to enjoy the best that cycling as to offer. The majority of our clients ride from 100-300 miles per week during the cycling season. Their ages range between 25 to 55, with the average age between 30 and 50. All our clients are in good riding shape and want to “spend their vacation doing something they love, which is good for them, and return home feeling great!”

Should I come over early to recover from the jet lag?
Yes, if you can. Although it is ideal to start the trips fresh, we realize that early arrival for most is a luxury so we factor jet lag into the first day or two of riding.

What is the best way to get my bike there?
We have found that the most convenient way is to take your bike with you. Invest (buy, rent or borrow) in a good travel case and check it as part of your luggage. Most airlines impose a fee for taking the bike (usually around $75 each way). We suggest you tell the agent that it is a bike as this is usually a flat fee rather than one based on weight or size. Shipping is an option but international shipping is prohibitively expensive at $300-$500 each way.

What do I do with my bike if I want to do some traveling before or after the tour?
Contact us. Most likely we can make arrangements to store your bike so you can travel without the hassle.

Can you help with travel planning?
Yes, contact us directly. We have lots of experience and can assist you in extending your stay to visit other cities.

Which airport should I fly into?
Our tours pick up from Bologna International Airport (BLQ) on the published start date of each tour. Should you need to fly into another airport we can assist you in making arrangements to get to BLQ.

What is a typical day like?
Breakfast (usually buffet style) starts at around 8AM. We’ll usually introduce and discuss the day’s ride. Rides start at about 9AM, and can vary from 3-7 hours depending on tour and day. Lunch is eaten on the road, we’ll stop for a panino (sandwich) or plate of pasta. Arrive/return to hotel, rest, recover, optional participation in any planned activities. Dinner is usually around 7PM after which we normally stroll into town to visit to the local gelateria (ice cream shop) or and/or a stop for a coffee and a digestivo (after dinner drink).

What are the hotels like?
For the most part we will stay in Agiturismi, family operated, small inns which we have selected for their hospitality, cuisine, regional authenticity and comfort. All rooms have their own bath. Some Agiturismi do not have TVs in each room (we don’t think you’ll miss this) however, there is a common TV room… ideal for checking out the Giro! All breakfasts and most dinners will be taken at the agriturismo. Much of the meal will reflect regional specialties and many of the temptations you’ll see on your plate will have been harvested or prepared on premises.

Can I have a single room?
Yes. There is a single room supplement and availability varies depending upon the trip. Please contact us directly.

What kind of weather can we expect?
Romagna Spring Training will be cool with day time highs in the low to mid 70’s, expect lows at night in the high 40’s. The weather will warm throughout May and by June will be in the 80’s by day and 50’s at night. Note it is always cooler in the mountains and warmer in Toscana.

What kind of clothing should I bring for off bike times?
Keep it casual as meals are a family affair. One nice shirt and pants to go out will be all you'll need.

How much clothing should I bring?
The less the better. We have found the you need less than you think. We recommend you take one checked bag with clothing/cycling gear and your bike case.

What clothing will I need for riding?
Pretty much summer cycling wear will work with the addition of arm warmers, a vest and rain jacket. We'll send a recommended packing list with confirmation of your tour.

Which gears will I need?
A 13-26 cassette will be sufficient for most terrain, if you really like to spin up cimbs there are some long ones where up to a 13-29 would be nice.

What if I have to cancel my trip at the last minute?
We recommend trip cancellation insurance which will cover you if you have to make a last minute cancellation. We have a strict cancellation policy to which exceptions cannot be made for any reason. Please see our Booking Page for more information.

What if I have a special diet?
If you are a vegetarian you should have no problems. If you are a vegan this will be more difficult to accommodate. If you have other dietary restrictions please contact us.

What is the estimated additional out of pocket expense?
We estimate between $20 - $30 US per day. This should cover lunch and any incidentals. You will probably want to bring a little extra as we’ll be checking out some cool bike shops!

Can you accommodate a non-riding spouse or traveling companion?
Yes. If your traveling companion intends to rent a car and explore independently then any of the tours are suitable. Otherwise, we recommend you consider our Giro di Romagna which, due to its concentration on Romagna will better facilitate “day trips” to shop, historic sites and the beach towns.

How can I stay in touch with my family and office while I’m away?
We can provide cell phones for your usage at a small fee.