How to Choose Your Next Ciclismo Classico Bicycle Trip: Your First Tour

Getting off the couch and onto an airplane is never easy. Especially if your destination is your first cycling trip with Ciclismo Classico.

Whether you are headed to the Pyrenees or the rolling hills of Connemara, there are a lot of things to consider when getting on your first group ride.

So how do you decide which trip to do, if it’s your first?

This series of posts aims to help you choose which ride may be the best as your next one.

For anyone reading who still isn’t sure if a bicycle vacation is for you, we figured we’d write a few details down to help you take that first step.

But be forewarned. As the Chinese proverb states, “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Once you get your feet wet, you’ll want to dive in head-first.

Easy Bike Tours for Beginners

If you’re looking for the easy way in, Ciclismo Classico has plenty of “open-the-door” options.

We’ve labeled the following two destinations with an Easy Level label. Learn more about our ability levels and how we classify each trip.

Maybe you’re an active person but you are a bit concerned about how difficult the day will be. Take a look at our Loire Valley experience and imagine rolling over gentle and flat terrain, visiting castle after castle. This trip has plenty of wine and food as well. We spend an entire morning tasting delicious Vouvray white and sucking down oysters! And the cheese, and the bread, and the foie gras…oh là là!

Our Venice Con Gusto trip is one-of-a-kind. Also labeled as a “beginner” destination, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to savor the wonderful tortellini di zucca or the stufato d’asino from the flatlands of Emilia-Romagna. This itinerary takes you along barrels of balsamic vinegar near Mantova, through the medieval fortresses of Ferrara, all the way to the romantic canals of Venice.

All with hardly any elevation gain!

Intermediate Bike Tours

…but maybe easy isn’t your type of thing.

If you are anything like Vicki Sama, you’ll have been there, and done that. Cat 1 racer? You ride more than 100 miles a week? You’ve organized group rides with friends and now you want someone else to do the grunt work?

We eat the grunt work for breakfast (with a little caffè macchiato and a cornetto ai frutti di bosco).

Vicki came racing into our Costa Brava trip and had a fabulous experience. This is an intermediate level departure and goes where the pros train. Consider eight days of hilly rides and amazing descents; fresh fish pulled in off the Iberian coast and wines from Empordà. Our time in Girona retraces the training routes of the professional teams. And that’s just day one…

Some folks have always wanted to ride the mountains, but couldn’t be bothered to organize such complex logistics. At Ciclismo Classico, we’ve been organizing mountain trips since 1998. It’s our thing.

Advanced Bike Tours

The next two trips are considered advanced and are recommended for expert cyclists specifically.

Do you fancy the flair and intensity of the famous French mountain passes such as Col du Galibier and Col d’Izoard? Then consider our French Alps to the French Riviera adventure. Nine fabulous days of alpine ascents and awesome descents. You’ll ride in the footsteps of legends, like LeMond and Fignon. And so many others who have tested their mettle in the French Alps.

Or maybe you’re more inclined to stay in Italy. Our Majestic Dolomites trip will certainly keep you inclined – almost to vertical!

The Dolomites present some of the most stunning, UNESCO protected scenery. Northeastern Italy is the old-world charm with modern amenities. Uncover the secrets of WWI, hang out in the university city of Bolzano, and ride the passes of Pantani and Coppi. All of this accompanied by copious amounts of pasta and Lagrein red wine!

The First Time on a Bicycle Tour

However, not everyone’s goal is to ride a lot (or a little). Some people come to visit Europe with us because – well – it’s Europe.

Learn about all the unique cultural angles in each of our cycling tours. So you can see it isn’t just about the bike.

For example, consider the cultural history in Italy is different from region to region. The Trulli and Primitivo in our Bella Puglia trip differ significantly to the Brunello and hilltowns of Tuscany along our Heart of Tuscany departure.

Confused by all the options?

Don’t hesitate to contact either Nancy or Rosa in the office. They’ll help you decide based on what you’re looking for and where you’d like to go.

What to Expect from your First Bicycle Tour

If you’ve never vacationed by bicycle before, this blog by Staff Writer Carol Sicbaldi will help you get some bearings before you take your first step.

Keep in mind you’ll have plenty of time to sightsee. Strolling through the piazza late in the afternoon on your bike is the perfect time to get a gelato. Make sure to take pictures (but stop your bike before you do so per favore!)

You won’t be left behind because our expert team of bicycle guides is there to support you along the way. But they don’t just support you while you’re on the bike: they’ll support you at the restaurant, in the cantina, and even the day after you’ve had one-too-many grappinos.

Know your Options

If you feel a little concerned about your ability level, we have you covered. You can request an E-bike on anyone of our Beginner and Athletic Beginner departures for an extra boost up the hills.

The E-Bike is an electric-assist bicycle, which means you still have to pedal. Yet the pedals rotate on their own as they are assisted by an internal motor. Agin the guides will make sure your batteries are charged and ready to go the following day, as long as you promise to not drink too much Malbec the night before!

What to Bring on Your Bike Tour

There are only a few essential items you need when you show up for your first bicycle trip with Ciclismo Classico. This blog sums up most of what you need to take from home. But you’d want to make sure to bring your sense of adventure and an open mind. Because once you finish your first trip, you’ll be looking at scheduling your next one.

So what are you waiting for? Contact us today with your questions and let’s ride!