TUSCANY SINGLETRACK

8 days at GBP1,079 including flights
Tripcode: MWT

Countries Visited: Italy

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Our Clients’ Reviews

Average Review Rating: from 16 reviews.

Ross Walker

TUSCANY SINGLETRACK

Written September 2011
A great trip, some big climbs with fast and varied descents. Guiding and hospitalty also to a high standard.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Two moments spring to mind - a very technical, rocky descent that demanded concentration and a not insignificant amount of bottle to "clean" the section - brilliant! The other moment was the last climb up to the mountain refuge - the first time I've "bonked" in many a bike ride, but perversely enjoyable once I'd recovered at the top.
I also drew inspiration from the other members of the tour group - everyone had their moments but always finished the day smiling.
What did you think of your group leader?
First class. Rupert is supremely knowledgable of the tracks and trails around the Garfagnana valley and has an easy going nature that made the trip really great fun. He was happy to spend time talking about the trails, the area and general biking stuff for what was probably the umpteenth tour group and even took the time to write out a detailed route that my mate and I could ride on our "day off" - he certainly went the extra mile for us.

And Bruno was great too.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Get some training done before you go - be prepared for long "ups" and some tricky sections. Also, try not to bike with too heavy backpacks (apart from the overnight stay in the mountain refuge) - travel light and you'll make the most of the rides.

There are plenty of water stops during the rides, so 1 camelback or a big bottle is probably enough.

If you haven't biked for 5-6 days in a row, be prepared for a sore jacksey - chamois cream for the ol' tail would have been useful during the trip!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The hospitalty from Rupert's family was also really great. You need anything? Just ask.

Overall, a great trip, some fantastic biking and many memories to treasure.
Christopher Bourne

TUSCANY SINGLETRACK

Written September 2011
Great trip with wonderful mtbing, super views and stella food Rupert, Angela and Bruno were fantastic hosts and the other guests werent bad either!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Riding up to the Rufuge for an overnight in the mountains was a fitting finale to the trip
What did you think of your group leader?
Outstanding!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Make sure you are fit and if you take your own bike buy/hire the very best bike box you can afford everthing you've heard about airlines and bikes is true
Guy Lewis

TUSCANY SINGLETRACK

Written July 2011
This was a superbly organised mountain biking holiday set in stunning mountain scenery. All aspects of the holiday from the Bikes we hired to the accommodation and cycling exceeded my expectations.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Many inspirational moments !
1. On the penultimate day we did a 5km climb to the refuge where we spent the night. After a [hot] shower I walked further up the mountain to watch the sun set, which was spectacular.
2. On the third day I 'wiped out' on a downhill section and realised (face in mud) that I probably should have spent more time practising on MTB rather than my usual road bike.
3. Chilling out with a cold beer and realising that I've done more biking in this week that in the two months.
What did you think of your group leader?
Rupert is a true professional who excelled in all aspects of this trip. He genuinely cared and went the extra mile to ensure all guests were having a good time. On the first day we were introduced to our bikes, and no amount of tinkering was too much to ensure the bike was 'just right'. Owing to Ruperts time spent in Italy his knowledge of the mountains and surrounding area is encyclopedic. All of us on this trip were lucky enough to be taken on spectacular trails which only a local would know about.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Anyone who enjoys the mountains / nature and is a cycling enthusiast will really enjoy this trip. However, be honest about your level of fitness! This trip demands at least 1000m per day of vertical ascent over around 40km each day, so don't do this one if you are not regularly in the gym or out on your bike beforehand. Most days have extended climbs where can really push yourself to the limit - exellent fun. Then there's down downhill sections...............!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This is one of the best value holidays I have done in a very long time. I travelled with a friend and we met a great group of like-minded people and did some serious MTB. Rupert and Angela (his wife) are excellent hosts. The food and wine was great, and with the local restaurant charging EUR6 for a plate of 'out of this world' pasta there is little not to enjoy. Definitely worth doing!
Don Lutas

TUSCANY SINGLETRACK

Written October 2010
Good hill climbs if you're up to it - challenging rather than moderate I'd say. The accommodation and leader are very good.
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What did you think of your group leader?
Very good.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Fitness training!
Steve Andrew

TUSCANY SINGLETRACK

Written October 2010
Superb mountain biking territory, great location with some long, tough ascents and exhilarating descents, good food and a tour leader and his family who want you to have a good trip enjoying their countryside.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Several long descents on both mountain tracks and country roads where experienced mountain bikers could not help but be impressed. The groups phrase of the week was "You have to earn your Metres" and on this trip you do. Its tough going up (helped by some early morning vehicle transfers to our start point) but is more than made up for on the descent. I'm still smiling at the thought of them.
Lunch on the final day, taken at a cliff edge, surveying the mountains behind and the valleys with all the small picturesque villages below and working out where we had been cycling during the week. Then, later in the afternoon, looking back at our lunch spot from the valley and realising how big our descent had been.
What did you think of your group leader?
Superb. His knowledge of the area with its intricate network of mountain tracks is outstanding. The weather during the week was very mixed, wet and cold on several days and his main concern was that we get the most out of the trip. He kept us updated and changed the itinerary and rest day around to ensure we did.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Get Fit. This is a very good test of stamina. Our average daily ascent was almost 1000 metres and each day there is at least one section where you are steadily climbing for a minimum of 30/45 minutes on rough tracks so be prepared. The brochure for 2011 has increased the grading from B/C to C (challenging) which I now think is correct.
During the cycling day this is primarily an unsupported ride so take a pack or carrier suitable to carry your lunch, spare clothing etc.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Rupert and also his family, who produced some great meals, made us very welcome at Casine di Braccicorti. The group were all fit and kept up with one another and this added to the enjoyment of the holiday. I feel privileged to have been on this trip.
My only regret (apart from the weather) is I did not have enough time to play the golf course. I will save that for another year.
Allison McCall

TUSCANY SINGLETRACK

Written October 2010
Great trip. Challenging biking beautiful scenery and topnotch family hospitality.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The summit at Pania di Corfino was incredible and we were up there on the best day with incredible views.....who knew you could get a mountain bike up there...brilliant !
To be honest all the rides had great moments and the rest day in Lucca was a bonus.
What did you think of your group leader?
Rupert was our group leader he is based in Braccicorti and we were staying in his home. There is very much a family atmosphere with Angela his wife preparing the food and their two children helping to bring dinner out
and the whole family getting involved with the group. I was actually quite touched by the way we were included into their family life and it was a privilege to stay there myself and my partner loved it.....and what a beautiful home........As far as the biking was concerned Rupert is very experienced and managed to swap days according to weather conditions etc so that we could get the most out of the week and despite the weather not being great the first two days we completed the whole biking itinerary as advertised which I thought was pretty impressive.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
In order to enjoy this trip a good level of fitness is required.There are lots of climbs.Our trip apparently was near 1000m of climbing a day.But of course what goes up must come down and we enjoyed some fabulous descents there are a few technical bits but if you cant do them they are not very long and you can hop off and hop back on the bike again when you are happy.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I really enjoyed this trip. There is no doubt about it a couple of the days are quite tough with long climbs so you do need to be reasonably fit to do it.I was the only girl in a group of 9 guys if you include Rupert our guide.
I was at the back for all the climbs but the group always waited. I hope I didnt hold them up too much but to be honest it wasnt a problem as a group we got on really well and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it, so much so there are plans for mountain biking in North Wales next year. I would recommend this trip to anyone who enjoys mountain biking, great scenery, good food and Italian family hospitality.
Richard Christie

TUSCANY SINGLETRACK

Written October 2010
Great holiday. After a number of treks with exodus I though it was time to try something different - I am delighted I chose Tuscany singletrack. Exhausting ascents, exhilarating descents and excellent scenery.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Not falling off! Sweeping downhill hairpins on tarmac, sweeping downhill hairpins (with cunningly concealed drainage culverts) on forest tracks and being amazed I was almost in control on the singltrack. Cycling through the beautiful Tuscan scenery interspersed with picturesque villages. Not to forget stopping off at the lovely cafes along the way for a coffee or other refreshment.
What did you think of your group leader?
Rupert's sole objective was to ensure we had a great holiday. He knows his mountain biking and every nook and cranny of the local countryside which allowed him to adapt the holiday to suite the weather and the group's wishes. Rupert was flexible and swapped the days around to make best use of the weather whilst ensuring we could tackle all of the itinerary, this included moving the rest day. The plan for the day was outlined each morning and then advice was given before any tricky sections were tackled to ensure safety. I have been on quite a few exodus trips and Rupert is certainly amongst the best leaders I have ever had.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
You do need to be reasonably fit. There are a number of tough climbs - but it is not a race and you can take your time, the effort is more then rewarded by the views from the top and then the enjoyment of the decent. I would describe myself more as a walker than a cyclist, having mainly cycled on tarmac or forest tracks prior to this trip. Again you can take your time to 'find your feet' on the singletrack sections - or just get off and walk short bits if you wish - but if you do give it a go your confidence will increase and you will be amazed at what you can actually cycle. Take a small rucksack so you can carry your packed lunch and some spare clothing.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The holiday is centred on Rupert's family farm which gives the trip a lovely relaxed friendly atmosphere. The accommodation is very comfortable and the food excellent. The setting amongst the wooded Tuscan hills is beautiful although the unseasonably cool weather we experienced unfortunately meant we did not spend much time using the swimming pool. There was a great group on our holiday and we had a laugh - even when cycling in the rain and water spray from the wheels was getting where water should not be able to go! As with any exodus trip you will get more out if you are prepared to put a bit of effort in.