tuscany

Mention Tuscany to anyone who has travelled there and listen to them describe a medieval landscape of Cyprus trees, vineyards, Renaissance architecture and dramatic hilltop villages. Then picture this with few tourists and even fewer mountain bikers!
With a backdrop of the impressive Apennine range of mountains easily reached from our base in Vinci, expect to ride challenging forest trails with superb single-track sections, nearly all off-road. The whole region is criss-crossed with an amazing array of trails from ridge rides to wooded tacks mainly ending up at yet another remote hamlet, and with classic vistas in every direction. No trip to Tuscany is complete, however, without fine food and good local wine and it never disappoints! And, of course, there’s time to explore Florence after a 25km off road trip there. At the end of another a great day out you can relax by the pool at our traditional Tuscan farmhouse set on a hillside above Vinci, comfortably reached by foot or bike in the evening.

TUSCANY “REFUGIO TO REFUGIO”
The Apennines of Northern Tuscany remains unspoilt and dramatic. With many peaks at over 2000 meters, the region offers sensational mountain biking. On our ‘refuge to refuge’ tour we climb and descend through some serious terrain offering enough of a challenge to wear anyone out! And each night we arrive at a unique mountain top ‘Refugio’ where there will be a welcoming meal prepared. We have a mid-week rest day to explore Florence, but every other day has a mixture of tough climbs and great descents. This is the chance to ride in one of Europe’s few remote areas, stay in quaint mountaintop hamlets way of the tourist trail and eat and drink local produce-pure bliss!!

Our accommodation is in simple and traditional establishments apart from Abertone, Florence and Pistoia, where we use small hotels of character. Whilst biking through two Regional Parks, one National Park and a completely natural zone, Sasso Fratino, our bags are transported on to the next destination.
All meals are included.

Day 1
Arrive Pisa and transfer to Vinci-time for
a local afternoon ride.

Day 2
A rolling ride around the area and a visit
to Vinci Castle and the museum of Leonardo da Vinci.

Day 3
An incredible bike ride to Florence along the crest of Montalbano eastwards, passing Etruscan tombs and Medieval Church’s, and on to the banks of the river Arno. We can return by local train whilst the bikes are transported back to Vinci pennines?
From San Pellegrino in Alpe at 1500+ mtrs there are numerous downhill options of forested single-track through an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Day 5
A free day to explore, say, Siena, or arrange an extra ride-you chose?
Or go caving, climbing, canyoning ?

Day 6
Biking west along the crest of Montalbano
to Montalbano Terme and its famous spa.
A choice of biking here dependent on fitness/desire.

Day 7
A ride back in time from Il Castagano to San Gimignano, today’s ride is rich in history. With views of the Era valley, Volterra and the quaint Etruscan village of Castel Vecchio this is the Tuscany you dream of! Arriving in San Gimignano with its incredible medieval architecture is a fitting place to end our journey.

Day 8
Transfer to Pisa

‘’REFUGIO TO REFUGIO’’
Day 1
(Sat) Arrive Pisa and transfer to Corfino

Day 2
Biking in the National Park Orecchiella to
San Pellegrino in Alpe.

Day 3
On to Abertone, a typical winter ski village
through forest tracks.

Day 4
Via single-track and paths we wind our
way to an isolated ‘refugio’ at Pratorsi

Day 5
A more relaxing ride to Pistoia, a small
town rich in history with plenty of
interesting sights

Day 6
Florence is Florence!!….just enjoy it!

Day 7
Biking deep in the Casentino National Park
from Castagno d’Andrea to Badia Prataglia on fantastic empty tracks then on to the beautiful Camaldoli area.

Day 8
Biking around La Verna is an incredibly
peaceful experience, despite the hills, and
our journey ends at Chiusi la Verna.

Day 9
(Sun) Return Pisa