Ciclismo Classico

Real Italian Life: How Does It Taste?

You've watched the movies, read the books, dreamed of it... But would you actually move to Italy? Inspired by 11 phenomenal days of bike riding across Italy last summer with Ciclismo, I decided I should try my hand at Italian life, learn the language, and get to know some not-too-distant relatives here. And eat a lot of gelato.

For a quick background to put everything in perspective: I didn't know any Italian except for the common phrases 3 months ago, I'd been working the typical 8-5 job for a little over 10 years and I had never been to Italy or Europe prior to last summer.

When one is on vacation, particularly a bike riding vacation when everything is already organized, it's easy to be wooed into believing there is such a thing as the perfect life. That being said, I didn't come here with the expectation that life here would be the same as vacation. I hadn't visited the town I now reside in before and I didn't know a single person. I enrolled in part-time Italian class at the university and, literally, hit the big red RESET button on my life.

I've found most of my friends through bike riding in the past and I need my bike for mental and physical health (particularly in a land where good food is so plentiful). Therefore, I brought my bike and it has been the key to Italian life as I know it.

The roads extend from my home in Umbria 360 degrees in every direction. In a little over an hour, I can be in Tuscany at Lake Trasimeno, in any of the quaint and ancient hill towns, and it is typical on a ride to discover yet more new roads all with their own amazing vistas.

Two and a half months ago, I was pedaling to Assisi and found a new road to try. Enjoying the pleasant evening along this road, a couple of bike riders rolled up along side and said hello. Actually, they said ciao and I couldn't understand much more than that.

One of these two guys, I'll call him Damiano, quickly turned into my best friend here. It was fortunate that he rides for a team and he immediately put me on it. (Since I didn't understand a word he said without a lot of hand gestures, I didn't realize I was being put on the team until after I was a participating member).

Women on road bikes are nearly impossible to find in Umbria. (Yes, a huge surprise to me.) Five Gran Fondo races later (Gran Fondos are the equivalent of long, amateur road races in the U.S.), I am happy to report that riding and racing here as a woman is a great experience. I have received nothing but respect in the peloton and have found the racing to be hard and fast, yet the racers are a more mature group with professional bike-handling skills.

There have been countless dinners with Damiano and his mom, dinners with the team and dinner parties put together by friends and family. The Italian warmth I've heard about is very much my experience here daily. Dinners are all multi-course affairs of plates filled with the freshest, most flavorful food. Meals start late and end much, much later. I have yet to be disappointed by a single meal prepared by someone else (my own cooking could use some improvement!)

But think about the situation for a moment: I'm surrounded by people who only speak Italian and have lived here their whole lives, a completely different existence than mine has been. Have you ever considered what it is like being the only person in a big group that doesn't speak the language or come from the same culture as the others? To not understand a single thing that is said and being equally incapable of responding back involves being okay with feeling like a 3-year old around your peers. Take a deep breath and enjoy the beauty of the conversation and try really hard to not be self-conscious.

One such situation was after a bike ride with the team. We all stopped in Spello for espresso, gelato and a couple of hours of talking about bikes. Spello is a very cool hilltown I first was introduced to last summer on the Ciclismo trip. I so badly wanted to tell everyone: "Do you have any idea how lucky you are? You stop here after the ride to chat, while I and others in America dream our whole lives about being here!" Again, I smiled and sat back, drinking in the Italian banter flowing through the fresh air.

I have countless stories to share in future issues of this newsletter. And I'm learning much more about the reality of Italy as I can communicate more effectively. When I was preparing this (on a very long drive to the Dolomites), I asked Damiano to tell me how he summarizes his life here. He answered (in Italian), "It is a beautiful life here, but one cannot put it in words. Experience it!"

Cycling, Travel, & Fatherhood: Life Just Keeps Getting Better

By Ciclismo guest Jim Pohl

Life just keeps getting better. When I was a kid, bicycling was one of my favorite pastimes. I remember my first bike, a 20” Coast-to-Coast Black Hawk. It looked sleek and fast, and I still have it. I lived in a small town, and I rode it up and down and around the dirt lot near my house. It was exciting. I could get around on my own. As a teen, I bought a used road bike, a 27" 15-speed Schwinn Paramount for $30 (much too big for me). I envied my friends, because they all had cool new banana bikes, but soon I grew stronger and explored beyond the local grocery to pick up a soda. Only now do I realize how valuable that road bike was. I could cross town with ease--to swimming, to bowling, to my friend’s house, and to nowhere.

When I reached my mid-teens, now the freedom of my bike allowed me to travel! I could choose my own destinations, not those of my parents, and get there for next to nothing. Living in central Connecticut, I explored regularly, riding to Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York. At 16, I rode by myself to Niagara Falls (500+ miles). I was quite a sight, still on that Schwinn, weighed down by all my gear including the pots and pans that my Mom sent along. Recently, at age 53, I began training on my carbon fiber Trek to get ready for the L’Étape du Tour 2010, which climbs Col du Tourmalet in the Pyrenees.

But also, as a Dad, I am reliving the gift of giving freedom and exploration to our kids. I put our daughter on the back of my bike when she was about 1 year old, and I rode her to the zoo and the park. She started riding her own bike at 5 and would tool around Golden Gate Park on her own. Now, at 10, she is riding a 20" Trek with derailleurs and hand brakes. Our son is 9. His is on the autism spectrum, which makes it hard for him to coordinate the actions of pedaling and balance. We started him on a Rolli Rider (a wooden bike without pedals) when he was 3. It was perfect. He started out by “riding” (walking/running) and later progressed to coasting. Last summer, at 8, he was riding on a larger bike still without pedals or behind me on a Trail-a-Bike. Then on a camping trip, he could no longer wait for Dad to give him a push, so he started pedaling on his own. Now, on long bike trips, he rides his own bike on the quiet roads and dirt paths, and he rides on a Trail-a-Bike on the busy sections. I don't mind pulling him on a Trail-a-Bike, as he has never talked to me so much as when we are riding together. He likes to sing while we ride too. Instead of using training wheels, I recommend that everyone put their kids on a bike without pedals.

I love to do local rides with our kids that incorporate events or destinations. We ride along the Pacific Ocean and stop for root beer, ride through Golden Gate Park and listen to jazz bands, and ride with their friends and stop for lunch at Fisherman's Wharf. We even ride through Chinatown, weaving through the traffic (my son on the back of my bike), to join Mom for Dim Sum. They particularly like to go to Yosemite and bicycle around the Valley. It's fun to ride from the swimming hole, to the waterfalls, to ice cream, and back to swimming. Bicycling in San Francisco has become tremendously popular, with miles and miles of bike lanes around the City. Mom is now biking to work, and perhaps our children will choose to bike to work as adults too: it's cheap, healthy, and faster than public transit.

Importantly, now we travel the world together as a family - on bikes with Ciclismo Classico. I love these escorted vacations. I feel much safer exploring with our kids, with a support vehicle and guides (BTW, the guides are unbelievable with the kids). We immerse ourselves in the local culture (hearing, smelling, tasting, seeing, feeling), and the experience is greatly enhanced by the personal experience of meeting and talking with the locals. We took our first family bicycling vacation when Angie was 8 and Devin was 6. Our kids explored Sardinia (summer 2008), eating in the mountains with shepherds, swimming in crystalline seas, and slurping hand-made gelato. (Watch our video about this trip here! )

Our son, who loves to eat, wants to travel everywhere now, but he recently advised us that "We must stop in Italy to pick up our food on the way." Also, they have ridden along the rice paddies of Vietnam (Christmas 2009), cooked with farmers, climbed ancient ruins, and viewed the world through new eyes. (Here's our video from this trip! ) Our daughter was amazing, riding through the dense bike traffic of Hue. The roads were teaming with bikes and motorbikes, all moving like schools of fish that wove together like fabric at street intersections. I was quite gratified to hear her advise her friends that Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) was the most important place to visit in the world. When I ask them what they like best about our bike vacations, they say "Everything!"

This summer we will travel north of the Arctic Circle to the Lofoten Islands of Norway to explore fishing villages with Ciclismo Classico (departure July 3, 2010). It is a family bicycling vacation, so I suggest that you grab your kids and join us for our next great adventure. We plan to stop in Copenhagen on the way to Lofoten to visit this beautiful city, renowned for its bike culture.

Fantastico! Incredibile! Piemonte!

Fantastico! Incredibile! These are the words that come to mind when I think of the Piedmont More Miles for Less trip from which I just returned. Starting north of Milano on Lake Orta, the route took us through the pre-Alps, the Monferrato region, and ultimately ended in Torino. This departure had preponderance of aggressive riders, so we were sure to ride every extra loop and climb available. Needless to say, never again will I consider 60 miles an easy day!

Leaving our lake-side hotel, the first two days featured epic climbs -- the Mottarone (20.1k, 1251m elevation gain) and the Panoramica Zegna, which is named for the famous designer -- and we were not disappointed to reach the top and take in the surrounding views of snow-covered mountains and the lakes below. After thrilling descents, we spent three of our five nights lakeside, watching the sun sink behind the mountains which we can conquered earlier in the day. Fantastic dinners and savory gelato was enjoyed by all.

Leaving the mountains behind, we headed into the "Serra," a region of Piedmont carved out by glaciers, which is covered with farms and vineyards. Rolling hill after rolling hill, each vista we came upon was more spectacular than the last. Spending a night in an agriturismo, we all enjoyed locally produced foods and wines until we couldn't eat or drink anymore. Of course, all of this carbo-loading was in preparation for the final ride, and climb, to Torino. After crossing the hills surrounding the city, we descended to our last hotel and said farewell at one last, traditional Italian dinner.

A longer and more in depth account of my trip will be posted next week, as will pictures to our Facebook page , so please stay tuned!

Why Everyone Needs Travel Insurance

Many of our guests describe their experience with Ciclismo as "the trip of a lifetime". So imagine the disappointment (and the cost!) when something goes wrong. When you're making a commitment like this and attaching such high expectations to it, it really does make sense to take precautions in case something unexpected happens.

This article explains the basics of the travel insurance we offer and recounts some real examples of guests who were glad they had insurance - as well as some who wish they'd had it.

The basics

Travel insurance is a type of insurance that provides compensation and assistance in case something unexpected happens and you’re unable to travel. The main types of coverage these policies provide include trip cancellation or interruption, trip delay, missed connections, loss of baggage or personal effects, medical expenses, and emergency repatriation (returning to your home for medical care). (Please don’t confuse this article with an actual description of insurance coverage! An overview of the policy provided by our partner can be downloaded here .)

Insurance is more important than ever

The situation with the volcano in Iceland is one reason that insurance is more important now than ever before. Our insurance provider classifies these volcanic clouds as “inclement weather,” so delays or cancellations resulting from eruptions are generally covered. So far this year, when our guests’ flights have been delayed or canceled because of these eruptions, the airlines have provided refunds or rescheduled flights – but all of our trips have gone ahead as scheduled. So only guests who had insurance were reimbursed for their missed trips.

Here are a few other real examples that show why insurance is a good idea.

A couple found out during their trip that their house was robbed and had to return home immediately, missing half the trip.
One guest became injured shortly before the tour was to depart and he and his wife could not travel.
And a close relative of one guest had a medical emergency shortly before the trip, so she and her husband could not travel.

Unfortunately, none of these guests had purchased travel insurance, though they wish they had.

Another guest had a minor accident while on tour but could not ride afterward, and was flown home immediately with his wife. This guest had purchased the coverage, though, so they were able to submit a claim for the emergency travel as well as compensation for the part of the tour they missed.

A couple additional things to keep in mind

When you sign up for a Ciclismo trip, we quote an insurance premium that would cover the cost of your tour; but you can always insure for more to cover other aspects of your trip, such as your flights or additional accommodations before or after your bike tour.

Coverage begins when you pay the premium, which normally happens about 90 days before your departure date, when we charge the balance of your invoice to you. You can take out insurance any time before your trip, but we strongly recommend that you pay for it at least 90 days before your departure date. If you choose to pay for the insurance at the time you make your deposit, then you’re automatically covered for any pre-existing conditions as well, which might otherwise have been excluded.

Finally, it’s really important to us at Ciclismo is that you have a wonderful time on your vacation with us – and that you have piece of mind as well. That’s why we encourage all of our guests to purchase travel insurance – if not through us, then through their insurance broker, travel agent, or other independent provider. Better safe than sorry!

If you have any questions about travel insurance, please call Andrew at 800-866-7314, extension 115 anytime.

What Cycling Mammas Want for Mothers' Day

Attention husbands, children, brothers and fathers! What do we "cycling mammas" want most for Mother's Day? Sure, don't forget the card or flowers but what we covet most of all is time to bicycle with our families or a day off from mothering to enjoy some quality time on the road with our girlfriends or alone. On our Ciclismo Classico Facebook fan site, we asked moms what they wanted most, here is a sample of what they said:

Lorna: A ticket to the Tour de France

Mary: Sunshine, cool breezes, a scenic ride, lots of miles and a big celebration afterwards for all the cycling Mamas. Oh, and just maybe have the cycling Dad's taking care of the kids at home!

Laura: I wish that my daughter would fall in love with cycling so that we could go on a cross-country ride together and have the time of our lives... :-)

Jen: To complete the Vancouver Sun Run with my 10 year old son. We've done the mini run before, but this is our first time doing the big one!

Michele: I am a new mom of twin boys and am dreaming of my fist ride in 10 months ... I would love a 1-hour ride to enjoy the sunshine!

Holly: I have lots of great memories of family fun rides at Sunriver Resort in central Oregon. I'd love to ride with all my now extended family on our next vacation together.

This Sunday, why not surprise your favorite cycling Mamma by planning a special ride with your family, giving her some time alone or best of all, taking her on the bicycle trip of her life with Ciclismo Classico?

Sign up the Mamma in your life on a Ciclismo Tour by May 13th and receive a $250 discount on her trip! (We'll give you the discount too. Valid on all trips except More Miles for Less, not combinable with other discounts.)

My choices for favorite Mom escapes:

La Bella Puglia to enjoy laid-back cycling, delicious cuisine and mystical cities of stone

Swept Away in Sardegna (my personal favorite) to explore dramatic coastlines, mesmerizing scenery and a rich, vibrant culture

The Grand Tour D'Italia to experience the Best of Italy on this stunning 15 day North to South, six-region, cycling portrait of Italy - A Ciclismo Exclusive

Lovely Lofoten for peaceful pedaling on a Norwegian Paradise that ventures over the Arctic circle and pedals along soaring mountains and the crystal sea

Vietnam for sensory cycling overload of lush scenery, intense cultural experiences and smiling, super friendly natives

Provence for a glorious spin in France's most famous and magical cycling region

Any mother will tell you the most important thing in her life is her children. Inherent in each “La Mamma” is the drive to mold her kids into upstanding adults. Ever since they were born, I have loved sharing travel experiences to shape the minds, heart, and spirit of my three children (Lorenzo, Valentina and Luca), aged 13, 11 and 7. Sharing my travel/cycling passion with my children is one of the highlights of our family life. It is enormously satisfying to watch my children experience travel at their own speed and with their own wonderfully playful eyes.

Seeing the world through the eyes of a child conjures memories of a much simpler time when we were young and experiencing things for the first time. Kids at this age respond to the simplest pleasures and remind us to slow down, play in a fountain, try on a mask or chase a pigeon through a piazza. Kids always love walking through villages, taking in the pulse of life and following their serendipitous natures.

For those reluctant to take their kids on a vacation for fear small kids will be too challenging, consider this: Kids, while amazingly fulfilling, can present challenges wherever they are, so why not take them on a trip where we parents can have a uplifting travel experience? At home, kids are in their comfort zone and can be more difficult. When traveling, it is more likely that kids will let their guard down and follow your lead. I am usually more at peace on outings or traveling with my kids than when I stay at home where I battle the ‘Mommy, I am bored’ syndrome. When I am on a bike trip alone without my kids I find that I am always wanting to share my experience with them. Our lives are simpler when we travel. There is less stuff in our travel life, no multi tasking, constantly taking care of practicalities or rushing to get places. We are focused on each other and more in the flow of life. The spontaneity, serendipity of it all brings us closer. We see each other at our best.

Allowing your children to have experiences they would not otherwise have at home will create memories to last a lifetime for all. We loved jumping off our boat into the gorgeous blue waters of Sardinia, getting soaked in Roman fountains or playing tag in the Boboli Gardens. Some of our memorable travel experiences include bouldering (hiking rocks) along the Sardinian coastline, spinning downhill 10 miles to the sea in Greece and hiking through the Dolomites. It’s a collective memory I know we will treasure for a very long time.

When planning vacations, I start off with some initial research to list things to see and do. Upon arriving in a certain locations, I'll make adjustments depending on each day. Guidebooks and web sites like the Family Travel Forum with kid-friendly ideas are instrumental in helping find all the kid-friendly eateries and activities. I will always mix up the highly cultural experiences with purely fun ones. A trip to Rome will include some classics, but also lots of gelato breaks and hanging out in piazzas. Anything that includes swimming, the beach or open playing (like rambling fields, etc) is a hit for us. When picking sites, we usually avoid very crowded places (like the Vatican museum) for they are guaranteed stress producers. I always choose a more low key "attraction" where we can have a more authentic, human experience over the more touristy ones. As the kids get older, allow them to have some input into the vacation plans. You never know what they are going to come up with.

How to Pack for Your Trip

If your trip is coming up, you might be wondering about to pack. We've compiled an exhaustive list that you can download here , but we still receive questions about packing, so we're addressing many of them here. Please refer to our complete list or give us a call if you have further questions!

Clothing

One of the questions we hear most frequently is "What should I bring to wear off the bike?" It's a fair question! Every culture has its own sartorial standards, and no one wants to look out of place or seem overtly touristy. The short answer is that you should bring whatever you feel most comfortable with. There will be few instances in which you'll stand out - some of our guests turn up to dinner in bike shorts and no-one gives them a second glance.

But who can blame you for wanting to fit in with the locals? Before dinner in much of Europe (Italy particularly), people take to the streets and do some window shopping - and they tend to look rather well put together. What we usually recommend for evenings is something just a little dressy. For men, that could be jeans with a nice polo shirt or an Oxford shirt and maybe a light cotton blazer or a sweater over your shoulders. Women might consider something similar - a skirt or pants and comfortable shirt with a sweater or jacket. Interestingly, if your taste tends towards preppy, your look will blend right in.

You'll be happiest with something very comfortable and casual for walking tours or days off the bike. Shorts are usually fine, but many churches still insist on long pants and no tank tops if you want to go inside.

Of course, you'll want to pack according to the time of year. For instance, our earliest Spring trips (such as Bike Across Italy on April 21st... book now and save $400 per person!) can count on chilly evenings and warm days, so you'll want to bring a cozy sweater or fleece for dinnertime.

One final word of advice: Do not over-pack! You don't need an outfit for each day - most of our guests rinse out crucial pieces at least once or twice during the trip. Traveling light can feel really liberating - it'll also make your trips through the airports go more smoothly and save our guides from those annoying hernias!

Bike stuff

As a cyclist, you've no doubt already got lots of shorts and jerseys. Bring your favorites! It's crucial to bring shorts that you're used to and that you know fit you well. If you buy new ones for the trip, please do some long rides with them to make sure they work well for you. Even expensive shorts can ride up or rub you the wrong way. Same goes for jerseys. Stick to comfortable cycling jerseys that are plenty long in the back and have pockets that are easy for you to get to. Comfort and visibility are the most important characteristics of the jerseys you should bring with you.

If you've got a saddle that you really love (or if you've had problems with saddles in the past), it's a good idea to bring your own. The saddles we provide are great, but a saddle can be a very personal choice. If you've ridden lots of different saddles and never had any real trouble, you'll probably be fine with the ones we provide - otherwise, consider bringing your own.

Many of our guests also bring their own pedals. If you use cleats and clipless pedals, you'll need to bring them. (There are simply too may different kinds of pedals nowadays for us to stock them all.) If you choose to use our standard pedals, with or without the toe clips, make sure to bring shoes that are comfortable and have reasonably stiff soles that will grip the pedals. The Adidas Samba indoor soccer shoe is popular for bike touring, with good reason (they'll also give you some nice retro street cred!).

You may also want to bring a cycling jacket, arm warmers, and leg warmers. If you're on one of our first trips of the season, you'll be glad you did. And you can always strip them off and stuff them in a pocket if you get too warm, then you can give them to a guide at your lunch stop.

Technology

It always seems a little scary taking technology abroad when there are different plugs and voltages to contend with. Fortunately, most gadgets now have adaptable power supplies that will work practically anywhere. Here's a rundown on what you should consider when packing your electronics.

Cameras If you're a serious photographer, you'll probably want to load up your full SLR kit, lenses, and accessories. Please feel free - and send us your best pictures! - but you'll probably also want to bring a point & shoot to bring with you on the bike. If you want to take a larger equipment bag on the bike, please make sure that you request a rack. Our videographer-at-large Carlton Reid produced a wonderful video about our Bike Across Italy trip last year using only the equipment he could fit in a rack-top bag!

Most cameras will have adaptable power supplies, so charging won't be a problem. Remember, though, that you'll still need a plug adapter in most cases to plug a US-style plug into a foreign socket. Also remember to bring extra memory cards if you think you might fill one up. Some photographers choose to carry several 1 gigabyte cards instead of larger-capacity cards, so if there's a problem with the card, fewer pictures will be lost.

Computers Do you really want your computer with you on vacation? We'd advise against it. But if you insist, please just be sure it's got an adaptable power supply and use a bag that will protect it from knocks and being squashed. And while an increasing number of hotels and other venues have Wifi, it's still not the norm. Most hotels do have a computer or two you can use to check email, and internet cafes are still common as well.

Cell phones It's great to have a phone with you on your bike trip. If you need the guide for anything, he or she is just a call away. You have a few options:

Easiest (but most expensive): If you have a GSM phone (also called "world phone"), it can probably be used abroad, as long as you're set up for international roaming. Be sure to check with your provider before traveling to avoid a nasty surprise on your bill when you return.

Cheapest (if you travel a lot): Buy an unlocked phone abroad with a prepaid SIM card. This will give you the best calling rates, but you'll need to shell out for a handset that you'll only use when you're traveling.

A good compromise: Rent a phone for the duration of your trip. You can rent an unlocked phone online and have it sent to you before the trip, then you can buy a SIM card at your destination. There are several reliable services that can do this; there are also similar services at airports abroad. If you rent your phone abroad, however, you might end up spending much more. It's a good idea to do some research before you travel.

We always learn a lot from our guests who share their experiences with us, so please let us know if you have any more tips about what to pack for a Ciclismo trip!

Tony's Turning Point

A springtime revelation creates a cyclist for life

In another of our series of transformation stories from our guests, two-time alum Tony White shares his first experience with Ciclismo.

At 45 years of age, in the spring of 2003 I faced a giant career transition. I had joined a small retailer 13 years earlier and enjoyed great success there, as the company grew to be the largest company of its kind in the world. I worked crazy hours for those years, with 70-plus hour weeks and never than a week off at one time. For reasons personal and professional, I made a decision to "retire" and find the next stage of my professional life.

All my advisors coached me to take some some time off and "decompress." I had a friend tell me about a recent cycling trip to Italy. I had traveled to Italy many times on business and on holiday and loved it... I decided to begin my sabbatical with a such a trip. (Never mind that I hadn't done any real cycling for years!)

The trip I booked was the Ciclismo Classico's Bike Across Italy.

40-plus daily miles, hills, and a serious heat wave were more than I had trained for. I had been a high school and college athlete, and a runner in my 30s and early 40s - but I didn't have any recent biking experience. I bought a steel mountain bike and rode it around my neighborhood for the month before the trip... I probably logged less than 100 total miles before I boarded my plane to Rome.

I did not reveal that I had never been on a road bike on my life. Hoping I would figure things out as the days went on... My first day was a disaster as I got lost on the 15 mile warm up ride, and tried to figure out what those buttons were near my thumbs... As the days continued my confusion, saddle pain, and general misery turned to into real enjoyment and I began to see why people love cycling. (And loving italy is easy!)

My first Ciclismo trip changed my life. I am now an avid cyclist and triathlete. I readily debate the merits of Campy vs. Shimano (or SRAM for that matter), steel vs. carbon, the strengths of the Radio Shack team , and so on. I have cycled much more in Italy, France, Spain, and several states in the US.

I have Ciclismo and especially guides Suzie and Cristiano to thank.

Letter from Lauren: Spring is here!

As you may know, the East Coast has been getting drenched with rain over the past two weeks. Sections of towns like Sudbury Massachusetts have become islands and our neighbors were seen kayaking in our local park, which for several days was called Magnolia lake. We hear flood warnings daily and the contents of people's water-filled basement line the streets.

Still, I put my rain jacket on and ride my bike to yoga class imagining the spring busting through more gloriously than ever once the sun replaces rainclouds. Although I know many have not stopped pedaling over the winter, for most, the spring means a grand exodus from health clubs and the launch of cycling season in full force - I can't wait! Soon cyclists will fill the Minuteman Trail near our office: Little girls with clad in pink helmets, pink glasses, and tiny pink bikes. Dads with their shiny new racing machines will have the same look in their eyes: one of excitement and pure cycling bliss.

With spring brings cycling renewal. We bring our bikes to the shop, we plan our weekly bike outings, sign up for cycling events, join a bike club and hopefully plan our our next bicycle vacation. I will be busy launching a Bike Parade for Patriots Day and launching Safe Routes to School at my son's school which has agreed to get bike racks and better support cycling. Victory! At Ciclismo, Spring launches monthly events, Ciclismo rides, Bike Week (including our 1st Bike Film Festival and our company vying to win the Commuter Challenge ) and our 2010 cycling season with many tours that are selling out fast. Next week Andrew and I are heading to Tuscany for our fun and learning-filled guide training weekend. There's nothing like riding, interacting and playing with 25 Ciclismo guides in the hills of Tuscany to get you in the cycling spirit. Our guides are pumped to ride their favorite tours with our wonderful guests from all over the world. We hope you are too!

My family and I are also very excited to host our NEW bike tour to The Lofoten Islands , one of the most gorgeous places to ride on earth! We invite you and your family to join us on July 3rd for 8 days of absolutely stunning cycling in the land of the midnight sun. Have you started to plan your 2010 family and friend memories yet? What are you waiting for? Ciclismo Classico has many several spring promotions and great family bike tours to choose from and don't forget, if you bring 10 friends on a tour, you travel for FREE. There's nothing quite like a bike tour in an exotic location to unlock our strengths and unite the favorite people in our lives. It's not to late to organize a reunion with friends or family. Call your friends, pick a date, contact our office to create your own custom group page, put on your Pied Piper helmet and let the magic begin. Launch an unforgettable vacation and they will come.

In addition to Spring biking fever, there is a bigger, very exciting bicycling renewal happening in Washington DC and across the country. At the March National Bike Summit in Washington, Andrew and I, along with 700 bicycling delegates from around the country witnessed signs of a true bicycling Renaissance in the USA. Advocates, businesses, lawmakers and groups like the League of American Cyclists and Bikes Belong are working hard to ensure that bicycling is no longer a marginalized form of transportation. Shaking his fist, Congressman Oberstar boomed "The 21st century will be the century of the bicycle." Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood energized and thanked the crowd declaring, “You have a full partner in Ray LaHood.” On March 15, LaHood issued his new Policy Statement on Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodation Regulations and Recommendations. LaHood then made the most substantial statement the DOT has ever made about bicycling and announced, ” sea change. People across America who value bicycling should have a voice when it comes to transportation planning. This is the end of favoring motorized transportation at the expense of non-motorized.” It's a wonderful time to be a cyclist!

Bicycling is no longer a radical idea;it is finally going mainstream not only as an international sport or as a form of recreation but as sanctioned and admired form of transportation that can help solve many of our nation's problems with pollution, obesity, and gridlock. In 2009 more bikes were sold than cars, more money is being allocated for bicycling projects than every before, and heck, even Google gets it. At the summit Google announced that in addition to their suite of online directions they will offer Google Maps biking directions! “This new tool will open people’s eyes to the possibility and practicality of hopping on a bike and riding,” said Andy Clarke, President of the League of American Bicyclists.

Gotta get somewhere? Next time you map a local route on Google, scroll down to the bicycle option and follow Robert Frost's wisdom (with slight poetic license) "Two roads converged in the woods and I took the one less driven by and that has made all the difference". You might not get there as fast but you will have more fun.

Make a simple difference in your life, your family, and your community. Ride more. Drive less and turn someone on to cycling

Happy Spring. Happy & Safe Cycling

- Lauren

Ride with your favorite guide

All of our alumni have their favorite guides. We invariably get calls that go like this "Do you know what trips Frank & Dana will be guiding next year? I'd like to do one of those!" or "I've signed up for this tour - pleeeeeeeez put Christiano on that one!" Of course, we love all our guides! And it's understandable that when our guests get to know them, they'll want to come back with those same guides every time. But we can assure you that all of our guides are exceptional. That's why most of them have been with us for five years or more.

So, having said all that, each of our guides is unique, and they all have something different to offer. We've finished assigning guides to our spring and early summer trips, and we wanted to share this info now that it's available. As if riding the hills of Tuscany wasn't enough of an enticement, knowing who you'll be riding with might be just the enticement you need to sign up for that trip!

Here's a snapshot of the first trips of the season and the guides who are leading them. If you'd like information on another departure, contact us on 800-866-7314 or by email!

Bike Across Italy, April 21 - May 1 ($400 off per person!)
Tour leaders: Frank Yantorno and Dana Geraghty
It's only fitting that one of our most popular and enduring tours is being led by Frank and Dana, who have been inseparable both on-bike and off for years. This year, they celebrate their 10-year anniversary guiding for Ciclismo! They're both from Colorado originally, but don't let that fool you - they know their new stomping ground in Italy as well as they do the back roads around Aspen. Their combined joie de vivre is matched by their cycling skill (Frank is a mechanic and Dana is a coach), and their creative passions: Dana is an accomplished artist and Frank is an expert photographer. Together, they'll make this Bike Across Italy an unforgettable experience!
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Croatia, May 4-11 ($400 off per person!)
Tour leaders: Andrea Nicosia and Alessandro Allegro
A former member of the Italian national mountain bike team, Andrea has recently been focusing on a trans-Europe trip, which should show up in Ciclsmo's 2011 catalog. He completed his own epic journey a few years ago when he rode from Italy to Norway. Alessandro, known simply as 'Ale' to our guests, is returning to Ciclismo for his 11th season! Fluent in four languages, possessing degrees in electronics and telecommunications, born in Piedmont but half-Calabrese, and having lived in Spain, Ale is truly the epitome of a well-rounded guide!
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Tuscany and Elba, May 5-13 ($400 off per person!)
Tour leader: Gian Paolo Fosco
Entering his 8th season with Ciclismo, when not on the bike you can find Gian Paolo skiing some of the best snow Europe has to offer. A Master Ski Instructor, he has taught other instructors from all across Europe. These excellent teaching skills are carried over to the daily cycling clinics one can expect to have while on a Ciclismo trip. Why not let Gian Paolo show you a thing or two?
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Andalucia, May 6-14 ($400 off per person!)
Tour leaders: Jose Gil and Sanro Draghi
Jose and Sandro make a great team when leading our wonderful Andalucia trip. Jose, the only Spaniard on staff, hails from Granada. Most of the routes encountered on our Andalucia trip he rides regularly, so he always knows the best places to stop to snap a picture or grab a drink. Sandro, on the other hand, who is from Tuscany, is our resident wine and oil expert. A professional sommelier, he is sure to help guests appreciate the great wines that are produced in this region of Southern Spain. These two guides, on this great trip, will ensure guests get the best riding, cultural, and gastronomic experiences possible!
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Swept away in Sardegna, May 9-18 ($400 off per person)
Tour leaders: Enrico Pizzorni and Simone Scalas
Simone is our resident Sardinian and he has led almost all of our Swept Away in Sardegna and Mediterranean Island Hopping tours. You want the best seafood in a given town? Simone knows where to get it. Want to challenge your legs on an impossibly steep climb? Simone will point you in the right direction, and probably ride with you to the top. He is joined by Enrico Pizzorni, Ciclismo's R&D specialist. If you have taken a trip with Ciclismo, chances are that Enrico designed the route that it follows. On this trip, guests are sure to enjoy some of the most picturesque rides they have ever been on, all while enjoying world-class leadership, accommodations, and dining
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A Love Affair with Corsica

By 12-time Ciclismo Alum Jay Jacobson

As someone who has traveled to about 100 countries (and cycled in over 50 of them!) I am frequently asked “What is your favorite place to bike?” I am hard pressed to come up with a venue I enjoyed more than Corsica. It epitomizes the Mediterranean region. Although it is now part of France, it represents a fusion of French, Italian, and Corsican cultures, history, languages, terrain, cuisine and love of cycling. Of the 60-plus bike tours I have done on six continents, this is the only one I’ve repeated. I was fortunate to have completed this fairly challenging journey in 2002, 2003, and 2009. In 2004 I did a tour of Corsica’s other coast and its interior and for each of the past ten years my wife Joan and I enjoyed at least a week on our own on this gorgeous island.

Ciclismo’s Mediterranean Island Hopping itinerary begins in Sardinia which is also an excellent location for bike touring. When I met my fellow group members there last year, they couldn’t understand why anyone would want to complete a tour three times and spend even more time in this one place. When we arrived at the last stop, the magical town of Calvi, Corsica, they said, “Now we understand!” Incidentally, two hours after the group disbanded that day, I cycled out to the small airport to happily and romantically greet Joan who had just arrived on the 45-minute flight from Nice.

The route follows the island’s Western Coast. As Ciclismo’s catalog indicates, there are continual “vibrant seascapes” consisting of “calanques” and “corniches” We cycle along the tops or sides of limestone/granite cliffs around exquisite Mediterranean fjords. We are never far from a stunning beach or pool. It is easy to understand why it is called l’Ile de Beaute.

Over the years I had small tastes of “sauvage”(wild) Corsica, including being accompanied on one descent by a herd of wild boar!

The weather on our trips has been extraordinary. During our 100 or so lovely days there (always between June 1 and September 30), it rained for a total of about a half hour and was never extremely hot. Adding to the foreign and exotic flavor is the fact that there are few American visitors to the island. On some of our trips we didn’t meet a single American. It is not as expensive as other European locations such as the Italian and French Rivieras, Paris, Rome, etc., especially during June and September when it is not crowded.

A typical (and ideal!) day on the Ciclismo’s tour would entail 40-60 miles cycling on varied terrain—not many long flat stretches, but not constant Alpine-like climbing either—with plenty of splendid photo ops. By mid afternoon I was ready for a relaxing and refreshing dip in the pool or the Mediterranean. The day would be capped by an al fresco dinner overlooking the town’s yacht harbor while watching the passing parade of residents and visitors. The eating and drinking was all about fresh seafood, Corsican specialties and local (good and inexpensive) wines.

I hope you can now see how this little corner of the world has become an important part of our lives every year. It has now become our second home!

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