Anyone who dreams of living in Italy will dream of a 'fattoria' somewhere in the beautiful Tuscan countryside. Cycling and graveling in Tuscany is an absolute must for any cycling enthusiast. Beautiful cycling and gravel routes make Tuscany the perfect place for a cycling holiday. Even if only because of the climate, the variety of roads and the proximity to the cities of Florence, Pisa, Siena and, last but not least, Lucca, where many (former) professionals put in their miles. Cycling and graveling in beautiful Tuscany is something you must have done once.
Our local guide Alessandro Salvaggio (follow him here) is from the region. In recent years, he has lived in England and Argentina, but his love for the outdoors brought him back to his native region. We spoke to him and he told us that Tuscany is ideal for a cycling (training) holiday or just a nice lap on the 'strade bianche'.
The land of white roads and rolling hills
Alessandro, tell us something about yourself?
I am a local boy, who after 10 years of living everywhere, is back in Tuscany. I was born here, but my career as a 'transport designer' took me to England, where I lived for 7 years, and to beautiful Leiden, where I designed yachts (boats ed.). In that place, I found out that I needed to devote more time and energy to my passion: cycling. I raced races but pushed that away a bit.
After burnout, my partner and I moved back to Patagonia, Argentina. For once, we were not there as tourists. We had been there many times before, as my partner was born in that region. After spending a winter and spring in that region, I found that I wanted to spend a lot of time in 'the outdoors'. To be in touch with the elements. And to cycle (and to take people on cycling holidays).
What are you doing in Tuscany now?
In recent years, whenever my friends and I went cycling together, I was always chosen to create the routes or put together the whole trip (for several days). So it made sense for me to do so would continue. In addition, I am also an outdoor consultant. Because through my experiences and my connections in Europe and South America, I can really help people.
Because of my experiences, I now look at the work I do with a different eye. My goal is to create a route where you actually get to know this beautiful region, like a 'local' would. So we drive alternative routes, with little traffic and routes you will want to drive from start to finish. No shortcuts. I really focus on the process and not just getting people from A to B.
I now also combine that with my eye for photography, which I developed through my experience in the creative industry. I have a bit of a 'nordic touch'. Through the photos, I tell you a story and I can also describe beautiful moments that way. For example, I show you how to cycle in beautiful Tuscany!
How cool! But tell us more about the region
Tuscany is just fantastic for cycling. Just look at the landscape. How it is shaped. The sun shining everywhere, making the wines so special, not to mention the vegetables that taste so delicious. The typical Cypresses. The pastel-coloured buildings that make the small villages so unique. Combine that with the light of our sunsets and you feel like you are living in a postcard.
Don't make us too jealous
What makes Tuscany really interesting is the different landscape types. If you want nice, steep, forest-encircled climbs, then go north of Montecatini or Lucca. As already mentioned, that's where all the pros and former pros train.
If you want a more rural landscape with quiet paved roads, head to the region around Montaione, Volterra and Orciano Pisano. Of course, Siena and its surroundings are perfect for gravelling. Strade Bianche and Eroica, two of the most famous races, take place here for a reason. Endless amounts of trails and beautiful, Tuscan fields.
University of Cycling
The region I come from, Fucecchio - Vinci is a wonderful mix of everything I described above. Beautiful climbs like San Baronto and Pinone (northwest of Florence). These are very often included in under-23 races. Villages like Lamporecchio and Matstromarco are described by some as the 'University of Cycling'. Lots of Italian champions (Vincenzo Nibali, Giovanni Visconti, Alberto Bettiol, Damiano Caruso) have been brought here to train from an early age. This has been their school of learning and this is how they have become tremendously good.
In addition, the region around Vinci and Cerreto Guidi is the perfect place to test the gravel bike. I also plan most of my routes in this region. I also try to encourage people to go precisely here. The opportunity to ride the trails along the vineyards and olive groves is great and for many it is the perfect experience of cycling in Tuscany.
Practical and more
Would you also like to cycle in beautiful Tuscany? Of course you can arrange it all yourself, but for a real local experience, head out with Alessandro. Check his site here. You will still have to arrange the accommodation yourself, but there is no shortage of that in Tuscany.
Would you like to join the GranFondo Strade Bianche? Of course you can. You can go there with Dutch guidance via CycloSportive. Gerrit Vermeulen is an Italy enthusiast and specialist in that field.
You can go to Tuscany by car, which is a long drive, so take into account an overnight stay, for instance in Switzerland (Lucerne is popular). You can also fly, of course. Pisa and Florence are well served from the Netherlands.
Cycling route Strade Bianche Tuscany
Below is a beautiful route from Siena that follows the Strade course
