Touring - Looking for riders--Italy, 2008

Is anyone interested in touring southern Italy in the spring of 2008? I'm planning to follow the route of via Appia from Rome to Brindisi, and then hopefully make a side trip to Lecce. I did this trip solo 2 years ago, and it was amazing!

This fall I'm taking Adventure Cycling's Leadership Training Course where they teach you how to organize and run a group tour. This Italy trip will be my first hands-on experience applying what I learn in the course, so you'll get the red carpet treatment in exchange for being a guinea pig.

Post a reply or send a private message if you're interested.

Are you taking the course in Denver? I was thinking about doing that. I might be interested in your tour, please post more details (when, how long, how many, what style).

Never mind the details, I just found your FAQ.

I'm planning to do this unsupported, in early May 2008. The dates are flexible. The costs depend on whether we camp/picnic or go for hotels/restaurants, and that depends on who comes along and how they want to travel.

My main purpose is to get practice/experience in organizing and leading a tour group (something I hope to do for a living in a few years.) So part of the test is just seeing who shows up and making sure everyone is happy. It might be a cheap eats/camping tour one way and then a 'luxury tour' on the way back. (You can take the train for the leg that you don't want).

Most of the route is fairly easy, and so far most of the people who've expressed an interest are beginners, so you can expect a slow, easy pace.

I started a blog to cover the tour and the preparation for it, and I've posted more details there. (The link should be in my signature at the end of this post.)