| Cycling in Italy offers unlimited opportunity for | | | | shape, but don't necessarily need to know how to |
| almost any type of bike rider from novice to | | | | bunny hop logs and draft down long hills. |
| road warrior. That is true, as well, no matter what | | | | It is also very important if you are planning a trip |
| part of the country you choose from the Alps in | | | | cycling in Italy that you make a fair evaluation of |
| the north, to the small outbound volcanic island | | | | your own bicycling abilities. Half way up the |
| that are a short ferry ride from the shore. How | | | | Dolomite Mountains is not the time to admit that |
| do you choose carefully so you don't get in over | | | | you're not really in great shape. Ask if they have |
| your head? | | | | a support van and if it is able to transport you in |
| The best recommendation is to have a prepared | | | | any situations that you feel are too demanding. |
| list of questions to ask any bicycle tour operator. | | | | There is one great thing about Italy, cycling trips |
| Questions like: | | | | can be designed in every area to fit most biking |
| How far will we travel on the average each day? | | | | abilities. Even in the Alps there are long bike paths |
| What is the expected elevation change in your | | | | through the river valleys that allow you to enjoy |
| chosen corner of Italy? Cycling in the mountains | | | | the spectacular mountain scenery without getting |
| can be deceiving. You can begin and end at the | | | | yourself on an endurance course that is far |
| same elevation and yet have spent every minute | | | | beyond your biking abilities. |
| going up and down hills. Maybe a better question | | | | The most important thing then is to ask lots of |
| might be: | | | | questions before you leave home. Evaluate fairly |
| How long do you expect that we will be riding? If | | | | your bicycle competence and level of endurance, |
| it takes 4 hours to make it 20 km that should | | | | and check out a few tour company's itinerary |
| give you a bit of an understanding that this terrain | | | | before you put down some money. Those that |
| is not flat. | | | | create cycling trips in Italy can then tailor a |
| Ask whether they consider this a beginner, | | | | vacation that will be a one-in-a-lifetime experience. |
| intermediate or advanced course? Is it a technical | | | | For more information on cycling in Italy and |
| bike challenge or just requires a little peddling | | | | possibly even arranging a self-guided bike tour |
| muscle? In the later case they call this a "athletic | | | | with total control over your options, visit our |
| beginner" course, meaning you have to be in | | | | website myWheelsAndMore. |