iBikeItaly Frequently Asked Questions

How Hard is the Bike Tour?
Our bike tour was originally designed to be a real bike ride through the tuscan countryside, and is thus, not a “fat tire” bike tour. The bike tour can be challenging for some people. However, our bike tour is something we try to make available to everyone, and quantifying a level of difficulty is at best, never going to satisfy everyone. With that said: the first three miles of the bike ride is uphill, but it is ok to get off of your bike and walk. If the hill is still a bit too daunting, then we will call on our van to give you a lift to the top of the hill. If you are adventurous enough to be looking into a bike ride in Tuscany, then you can probably do the tour; whether biking, walking part of it, or maybe taking it easy in the van, we guarantee that you will have a great day out in the tuscan countryside!

Is there van support?
Yes, we do offer van support. The first three miles of the bike ride is uphill, but it is ok to get off of your bike and walk. We do our best to get everyone to ride, but If the hill is still a bit too daunting, then we will call on our van to give you a lift to the top of the hill. We have excellent bikes that are well maintained and that with proper use and a bit of instruction from the guide, can get many of you up the hill without a van, and thus you can enjoy an excellent guilt-free tuscan meal! However, our van will always be ready to assist.

Can I use my own bike?
It is possible. However you would need to contact us in advance to let us know that you are bringing your own bike.

Can I bring my own seat/pedals?
Yes, you are welcome to bring any of your own equipment.

What type of bikes do you use?
Being a real bike ride, we do not use hybrid bikes. Rather we use Bianchi name brand 24 speed mountain bikes equipped with smooth tires for riding on the road.

We are staying in Tuscany, outside Florence, where can we meet you?
Instead of driving through Florence city center, where the usual meeting point is, you can meet us at our bike depot, where the ride starts from. You can find our bike depot at:
Camping Internazionale Firenze
Via San Cristofano, 2 - 50029 Bottai (Impruneta) - Florence
check the map to reach our bike depot
Please inform us in advance if you plan to meet us at our bike depot.

Can you pick us up at our hotel?
No, Individual pickups are not possible.

Is there a student discount?
Yes! we offer a 10% discount for students under the age of 26.

What are the age limitations?
We have had all ages participate in our Tuscany bike tour. However, we do suggest that children must be able to ride an adult sized bike comfortably (minimum age 13) to make the experience an enjoyable one. We will not take infants on the Tuscany bike ride. No exceptions, sorry. We do accept them on the Florence city bike tour, though.

Do we cater for special dietary needs?
Yes, definitely – vegans, vegetarians, don’t like tomatoes…

What clothes should I wear?
Wear clothes that you would wear for an active day out bike riding! The guides usually wears shorts and a T-shirts, but bring along something in case it should cool down in the afternoon. If it’s overcast or cool out, definitely bring something to keep you warm for the ride back downhill in the afternoon. You can leave any extra clothing at our bike depot.

Do I have to be fit to do the tour?
A GOOD LEVEL OF FITNESS IS REQUIRED TO DO OUR ONE DAY BIKE TOUR IN TUSCANY Our tour is slowly paced with plenty of pauses and water breaks along the way. Remember it’s a bike ride not a race. And we guarantee a thoroughly enjoyable day. We want you to enjoy the tour to the full, however a basic level of fitness is suggested.

How Difficult is the ride?
The ride is 18 miles, about 30 kilometers. There is one short but medium to difficult hill 900 meters long, (depending on your level of fitness this can be quite a challenge). The rest of the terrain is fairly flat and meandering country roads. The bicycles we have hand picked all have 24 gears and are equipped with low gears for hill climbs. You can ride at your own pace without feeling pressured. There are lots of opportunities along the way to stop and rest or take photos. If you feel exhausted, just hop in the van at any time.

What if the weather looks bad? Will the tour be cancelled if it rains on the day?
If the weather looks bad, PLEASE bring the appropriate rain gear if you still want to do the tour. We will do our best to give you a great day out in the tuscan countryside, and hopefully on your bike. We will use our van to do the tour when it is raining. We will generally offer the tour rain or shine. If you have reserved for the tour and want to still do it, but on a different day, please just call us in the a.m.
Please check our RAIN POLICY where everything is explained in detail.

What form of payment is accepted?
As a brand of Florencetown Tour Operator, we accept all major credit cards, which can be used through a secure server for our online booking system or paying directly at our office.

Do we welcome non cycling partners?
Yes we do, however there is no discount offered.

Is there an option to buy wine and oil on the bike tour?
Yes.

Look us up in LET'S GOITALY, LONELYPLANET, FODORS and FROMMER'S guide books.
Also on CNN International Travel web site!

Look us up in LET'S GOITALY, LONELYPLANET, FODORS and FROMMER'S guide books.
You can also find us listed in the CNN International Travel web site!