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Giro della Toscana - Road Cycling in Tuscany with the Professionals - June 2009

July 02nd 2009

Posted By: Skedaddle
Tagged in: Saddle Skedaddle Cycling Holidays, cycling routes, European bicycle holiday, European cycling holiday, Giro della Toscana, Italy bicycle holiday, Italy cycling holiday, Italy cycling tour, Italy cycling vacation, road cycling, Self guided cycling holiday, Tuscany bicycle holiday, Tuscany cycling holiday, Tuscany cycling tour, Tuscany cycling vacation, Tuscany self guided cycling holiday

Aussie expat & frequent Skedaddler Karen Beltrame enjoyed a week or riding in Tuscany with Saxo Bank IT Factory Directeur Sportif Lars Michaelsen and former Italian National Champion Andrea Tafi.

She survived to tell the tale, and here, with a selection of great photos, is what she had to say:

I’ve just returned from an amazing week of road cycling in Tuscany with Saddle Skedaddle.

The Tour Leader on the Giro della Toscana was none other than Lars Michaelsen, former rider with Team CSC and currently Sports Director with Saxo Bank IT Factory. Lars turned out to be much more than a guide; he played the role of very attentive host throughout the entire week. As the perfect host, Lars had carefully hand-picked every part of our tour from the cycling routes, the restaurants, the meals and wine at each restaurant, and the accomodation.

We ate at restaurants overlooking beaches in the setting sun and we drank quality wines as we looked out over the vineyards which had produced the wine. We dined in a variety of fantastic places ranging from the back room of a delicatessen with some local people to a gourmet dinner at the foot of a castle high in the Tuscan hills. When we weren’t either out on the bikes or eating in wonderful locations we relaxed by a swimming pool set in the olive groves at Andrea Tafi’s agriturismo or lazed on sunbeds under the umbrellas at our own private beach. There was obviously an enormous amount of planning put into this trip and every detail had been carefully chosen to maximise our exposure to the Tuscan countryside and to ensure that we had the best possible cultural and cycling experience. Saddle Skedaddle and Lars have created a superb holiday. The thing that made it truly special was having our very own pro-cyclist who never tired of the million silly questions we asked from from sunrise to sunset every day. It was a real thrill to hear inside stories from the big tours and races and also hearing personal stories about other professional cyclists.

I arrived feeling a little apprehensive and wondered how I would manage in the presence of a cycling legend. What would it be like riding for a week with a pro? My fears and apprehensions were completely unfounded and I soon realised that Lars was very down to earth, humble, and not in the slightest bit intimidating. He loved sharing his stories, answering our questions and riding with us to guide us through each day. I’m very happy to have experienced the Giro della Toscana.

Karen B. - Australia

“…a great cycling holiday that we would certainly like to do again.”

Linda & Andrew R. - South Africa