Lisa's Travels

Posts Tagged ‘Cycling’

Cycling is a popular sport among Italian people and every year thousands of cycling lovers from across the world comes to Italy to enjoy some marvellous cycling experiences. Two factors that make Italy such a great cycling destination are the idyllic weather and the charming landscape to be found across Italy.

In contrast to cycling in other European countries like Spain or Switzerland, cyclists visiting Italy may find it slightly more difficult to get around on public transport with their bicycle. Many trains in Italy do allow travellers to bring on board bicycles; however, there are some trains that do not cater for cyclists.

Local trains allow the passengers with their bicycles on board whereas long distance trains do not allow it. Just search for the bicycle logo on the side of the train if you would like to be sure about carrying the bicycle with you. This logo signals that the train has a bicycle carriage.

All trains in Italy do not allow the carrying of a bicycle in the passenger compartment. It does not cost much but only 3.50 Euros that fetches a one day pass to board a bicycle in a train. This authorizes you to take your bicycle for a whole day on board any number of trains. This pass serves the purpose in the case of cycling lovers who like to have short spells at cycling in different parts of Italy.

Cycling enthusiasts delight in their stints at cycling at all times of the year thanks to the comfortable weather in Italy. An exception to this is the northern Italian Alps where cycling will be back-breaking amidst heavy snowfall. It would be advisable to carry a water proof top while cycling though Italy does not ordinarily receive heavy downpour.

Italy is filled with hundreds of cycling paths that are well distributed throughout the country that wherever you go you will find one. It is from the tourist information office of the towns in Italy that you get valid information about scenic cycling routes in Italy.

Warm weather and lovely countryside make cycling in the Tuscany a very enjoyable experience indeed for the cycling lovers across the globe. The city of Florence is nearby if you are looking for other forms of enjoyment and amusement.

The main cycling competition conducted in Italy is the Giro d’Italia which is held yearly in May. This long distance cycling competition is held in stages and lasts about three weeks in all. Professional cyclists from all over the world come to compete in this competition which has been going since the 1930′s; however, Italian cyclists have historically dominated this competition.

The attitude shown towards cycling in Italy is not contrasting with that shown towards Mediterranean fashion in terms of health and safety means. There are no hard road rules in Italy and it is purely your choice whether you would like to wear a helmet or not. It is recommended though to take with you some safety tools while cycling in Italy.

Renaissance art in Italy is the finest on the planet. If you would like to view some good examples, read our page on things to do in Pisa.

Most Americans have probably heard of The Tour de France, but one might be hard-pressed to find someone who actually sat down and watched any portion of the race. However, this typical American approach to the race is in no way indicative of what happens in Europe, when everyone is literally on the edge of their seat for almost a month, watching their favorite riders barrel down mountain passes or try to get ahead of one another on the flat stretches.

For people in the United States, the idea of a bunch of grown men on bicycles pedaling through the countryside might not seem like a big deal. Worse yet, there might even be gross misjudgment in place that makes it seem like a delicate or easy endeavor to participate in.

The biggest mistake that people make when thinking about The Tour de France is thinking the race just lasts for a couple of days, or is actually not that long, but is spread out time-wise. In reality, the race is thousands of miles long, usually lasts for 21 days of continuous riding, and has been known not just to span France, but the surrounding countries, too. Riders have to navigate some of the steepest and most dangerous roads in France, and must be in peak physical shape to even think about doing a good job.

Broken up into daily segments, The Tour de France winner is the person with the shortest overall time. It is, in fact, possible to win the entire race but never win a segment. But it’s also just as likely to not even finish, as a number of tragic accidents and injuries are known for occurring each year. That’s the main difference between a simple little football game and this bicycle race–the stakes are high here, and even grown professional men have been known not just to get hurt, but to die, trying to take on the race.

It’s not just mountain passes, though. The race usually weaves in and out of cities, and traditionally wraps up with a triumphant sprint down busy city streets in Paris. The race is also known for varying in length, with the route changing every year. Sometimes, the difference can be as sizable as a few hundred miles, but usually it’s more of a matter of routes. Anyone who wants to participate, though, should be in top form, as even very athletic riders talk of experiencing a great deal of trouble at the prospect of tackling the race.

Aside from that, the race is known for being daunting emotionally, since much time is spent alone, unsure of one’s standing in the race, and dealing with the very real thought that, after the next hundred miles, 900 more are waiting. It takes a lot out of anyone, even a famous bicyclist, to compete in this race.

And while Americans might not have historically cared very much about bicycle racing, that all changed in recent years.. Not only were all of the Americans hanging on the daily results, but there was a huge rise in the popularity of long distance bicycling. Ever since this historic reign of terror, interest in the race has been the standard.

That one rider, who beat not only The Tour but also managed to triumph over cancer, is none other than Lance Armstrong. At the top of his game, truly, the man managed to win The Tour De France seven times in a row, often far ahead of the other riders. Armstrong is not just a legend to those in his home country, but also to many Europeans, who begrudgingly accepted him as one of the greatest cyclist of our time, and are just as excitedly rooting for him as he takes on the course as they are when their home country favorites whiz by.

But whether it’s cheering for an obscure 20-something who might just have his lucky day, poring over old film footage of racers making their way up the mountains in grainy black and white, or getting excited for Lance Armstrong and wondering if an American will ever do that well again, there’s no denying the appeal of The Tour de France.

Damian Papworth, an enthusiastic cyclist understands how crucial hydration is in the sport, at all levels. As such, he created the Cycling Water Bottle website, offering free information on bicycle water bottles