Anyone who dreams of a life in Italy will dream of a ‘fattoria’ somewhere in the beautiful Tuscan countryside. Cycling and graveling in Tuscany is an absolute must for every cycling enthusiast. Beautiful cycling and gravel routes make Tuscany the perfect place for a cycling holiday. Even if it’s only because of the climate, the variety of roads, and the proximity to the cities of Florence, Pisa, Siena, and not to be forgotten Lucca, where many (old) professionals make their kilometers. Cycling and graveling in beautiful Tuscany should really be done at least once.
In recent years, Alexander lived in England and Argentina, but his love for the great outdoors brought him back to his home region. We spoke with him and he told us that Tuscany is ideal for a (training) holiday on a bike or just for a nice ride along the ‘strade bianche’.
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The land of white roads and rolling hills
Alessandro, tell us something about yourself?
I am a local boy who has returned to the area after living all over the world for 10 years. Tuscany. I was born here, but my career as a ’transport designer’ took me to England, where I lived for 7 years and in the beautiful city of Leiden, where I designed yachts (boats, red). It was there that I realized that I needed to invest more time and energy into my passion: cycling. I have raced in competitions but have somewhat put that aside.
After a burnout, my partner and I moved back to Patagonia, Argentina. This time we weren’t there as tourists. We had been there many times before, because my partner was born in that region. After a winter and spring in that region, I realized that I wanted to spend a lot of time in the outdoors. To be in contact with the elements. And to cycle (and to take people on cycling holidays).
What are you doing in Tuscany now?
In recent years, when my friends and I went cycling together, I was always chosen to make the routes or to plan the entire trip (for several days). It was therefore logical that I would take on this task. Continue further. I am also an outdoor consultant. Because of my experiences and my connections in Europe and South America, I can really help people.
Through 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, just like a ‘local’ would do. So we take alternative routes, with little traffic, and routes that 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 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. This way, I show you how to cycle in beautiful Tuscany!
What a great idea! But tell me more about the region
Tuscany is simply fantastic for cycling. Just look at the landscape. How it is formed. The sun shining everywhere, which makes the wines so special and not to mention the vegetables that taste so delicious. The typical cypress trees. The pastel-colored buildings that make the small villages so unique. Combine that with the light of our sunsets and you get the feeling that you are living in a postcard.
Okay, we are definitely not jealous (kuch)
What really makes Tuscany interesting is the variety of landscape types. If you want to climb beautiful, steep, wooded terrain, then head north from 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, then head to the region around Montaione, Volterra and Orciano Pisano. Of course, Siena and its surroundings are perfect for mountain biking. 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 have described so far. 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’. A lot of Italian champions (Vincenzo Nibali, Giovanni Visconti, Alberto Bettiol, Damiano Caruso) have been brought here to train from a young age. This has been their training ground and that’s how they have become extremely good.
In addition, the region around Vinci and Cerreto Guidi is the perfect place to test the gravel bike. I also plan my most routes in this region. I also try to encourage people to go there. 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 like to cycle in beautiful Tuscany too? Of course you can arrange all that yourself, but for a real local experience, go with Alessandro. Check out his website here. You’ll still have to arrange accommodation yourself, but there’s no shortage of them in Tuscany.
Would you like to take part in the GranFondo Strade BiancheOf course, you can also go there with Dutch guidance via CycloSportive. Gerrit Vermeulen is an Italian lover of Italy and an expert in that field.
You can drive to Tuscany, which is a long journey, so be prepared to spend the night there, for example in Switzerland (Lucerne is popular). You can of course also take a plane. Pisa and Florence are well served from the Netherlands.
Strade Bianche Toscane cycling route
Below you will find a beautiful route from Siena that follows the Strade parcours
Questions & tips
Do you have any questions about this route, or have you been there yourself? Share them here. We read everything and usually respond within a few days.