Italian Bicycle Tours Designed to Match Your Cycling Experience, of NOT?
Do you know that Cycling in Italy offers a vast array of choices for almost any type of bike enthusiast from novice to expert rider? This is true whether you select the Swiss Alps, or the small outer volcanic islands that are a short hop off the Italian coast. How do you pick the best countryside in Italy for a cycling tour, so you don’t get in over your head?
The best recommendation is to have a prepared list of questions to ask any bicycle tour operator. Questions like maybe asking how far one might typically travel on the average each day?
What is the expected change in elevation in your chosen corner of Italy? Cycling in the mountains can be somewhat misleading. You might begin at the same elevation as that which you end, and yet have spent every minute climbing up hills and speeding down.
Maybe a better question might be to ask how long to expect that participants will be in the bicycle saddle? If it takes 4 hours to make it 20 km that should give you a bit of an understanding that this terrain is not flat.
Ask whether they consider this a beginner, intermediate or advanced course? Is it a technical bike challenge or just requires a little peddling muscle? In the later case they call this a “athletic beginner” course, meaning you have to be in shape, but don’t necessarily need to know how to bunny hop logs and draft down long hills.
It is also extremely important to make a fair evaluation of your own peddling abilities, if you are planning a trip cycling in Italy. Cycling half way up the Dolomite Mountains is not the time to admit that maybe you’re not really in great shape. So ask ahead of time, if they have a cargo van that might be able to transport riders in moments of exhaustion.
Remember the one great thing about Italy, cycling trips can be designed in every area to fit most biking skill levels. Even in the Swiss Alps there are long bike paths through the lower river valleys that let you enjoy the fantastic mountain views without forcing you to take on a bicycle tour beyond your physical talents.
The most important thing then is to ask lots of questions before you sign on to a specific tour. Evaluate fairly your bicycle competence and physical capabilities. Then check out a few tour itineraries before you put out some money on the line. Those that design Italian cycling trips can then tailor a vacation specifically for you that will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
About the Author
For more information on Bicycle Trips in Italy, hotel options, and how to ship your bicycle, as well as bicycle parts and repair information, visit our website at http://mywheelsandmore.com
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