Road Cycling - Italy for a month, bike transport questions and more.

Hello everyone,

As part of a med school/study abroad program, I will be in Italy for a month studying the Italian medical system, but I will also have lots of free time to ride my bike. I'm planning on bringing my Bianchi over (I figure it will fit right in) but I have some questions.

1 - What kind of bike case should I invest in? I've looked at the Trico's, the generic Performance/Nashbar/Supergo style hardshell case as well as soft cases. What should I look into for the plane trip over, keeping in mind I'm a poor student (that wants his bike to arrive in one piece, however)?

2 - Does anyone have any experience with bringing their bikes on trains over there? I'll be in Rome proper, so I'll need to take the train out of town to ride. I know you can't bring your bike on the high-speed lines, but the local ones appear to not be a problem. I'm also planning on bringing a CamelBak BlowFish to stow my shoes/street wear in when I get to the ride...does that sound reasonable (I'd like to not have to trek through Rome, the train station and sit on the train in Lycra)?

3 - I have a book that lists a ton of bicycle-safe as well as rewarding bike routes throughout the country that I plan on wearing out. However, while I am in Rome itself, do you think it is possible to meet Italian riders that would be willing to ride with an American at a local bike shop, or any other "biker" hangouts?

4 - I already have plans to see the World Cycling Championships in Verona and also the Giro Lombardia, but are there any other events you would recommend?

5 - Any other comments or concerns that you believe could help me along?

Thanks everyone!!!
Jaco

I would definitely use it as an excuse to buy a new bike over there :D

I would definitely use it as an excuse to buy a new bike over there :D


Trust me, I wish I could afford it! (Well, I guess I could max out the old credit card :D ) I am hoping to maybe get some spiffy new sunglasses, some unique riding apparel and hopefully some new wheels. I don't know if those things will be cheaper over there (although I'm hoping), but at least they'll come with a story.

I recently returned from Italy. I actually think that you won't need that book on ride routes. Bring it, but you'll find that you can blend in quickly and navigate through the streets of Rome and Italy with no problems. I really never thought about finding bike routes, just rode my bike and never had a problem with riding, except finding out once I was on the autostrada when I thought I was not!

You'd be better off getting maps. Get the Touring Club Italiano maps or the Michelin maps, and be sure they are recent. Sometimes the roads change, and it's no fun being on the autostrada when you think you're not!

Finding other riders in Roma shouldn't be a problem. If you get an opportunity, join a gym. If you take the spinning classes there, you will find A LOT of riders there- they often organize cycling trips (informal trips, albeit) to Finland, other parts of Italy, etc. I almost came back because the trips they were planning sounded phenominal.

For my full bike, I got the Performance bike luggage. It's big and cumbersome, but if you're going to be there for a year, you might as well go for it. Just make sure you have the space to store it!

When you arrive in Italy, one of your first purchases should be a train schedule. There are some bikes that do not allow bikes under any circumstances (EuroStar and the luxury trains that come from Switzerland, Germany, etc.), and the IC trains. The slow local trains and some of the slower long distance trains do. With the train schedule, you will see there will be a bicycle picture over the trains that allow bikes. And don't worry about wearing the lycra- I've seen cyclists travelling with their bikes in lycra, and no one says a word or looks funny. It's more common than you think.

While in Verona, definitely see if you can do an opera at the arena. I went to three operas, and although M. Butterfly was pretty slow, the other two were phenominal. It's nice to see the opera under the stars. Just be prepared for 3+ hours listening to music and if you don't understand Italian, get the book that comes with the opera and a small flashlight to keep up. I don't know of any other events in the area, but for a change of pace, I highly recommend either riding your bike from Verona into Vicenza and spending a day there, or going to Venice on the earliest morning train from Verona without the bike and enjoying the city of Venezia without the bike and using the ferry system instead (get an all day ferry pass for 10.50 Euro), or alternatively, break the bike down and store it in the luggage case and take the fast train that goes from Verona to Lake Como. From Lake Como, you can ride into Lugano, Switzerland, and Lugano, site of the time trial stage of the Tour de Suisse this year, is a beautiful city. That funniculare freaks me out!

Enjoy the trip, kick back and have fun is all else I can recommend! Eat gelato!

Koffee

I recently returned from Italy. I actually think that you won't need that book on ride routes. Bring it, but you'll find that you can blend in quickly and navigate through the streets of Rome and Italy with no problems. I really never thought about finding bike routes, just rode my bike and never had a problem with riding, except finding out once I was on the autostrada when I thought I was not!

You'd be better off getting maps. Get the Touring Club Italiano maps or the Michelin maps, and be sure they are recent. Sometimes the roads change, and it's no fun being on the autostrada when you think you're not!

Finding other riders in Roma shouldn't be a problem. If you get an opportunity, join a gym. If you take the spinning classes there, you will find A LOT of riders there- they often organize cycling trips (informal trips, albeit) to Finland, other parts of Italy, etc. I almost came back because the trips they were planning sounded phenominal.

For my full bike, I got the Performance bike luggage. It's big and cumbersome, but if you're going to be there for a year, you might as well go for it. Just make sure you have the space to store it!




Thanks for the reply!

It may take a couple days for me to get up the courage to ride the streets of Rome on my bike (I live in lowly Columbus, Ohio and do much of my riding in the coutry), but being an adrenaline junky it does have a certain appeal to it. I really want to do some mountain riding, so I'll probably use the book for those "special" excursions outside the city and as you suggested, just use a map for navigating about Rome. And thanks for recommending joining a gym. I had never even thought of that.

Just to double check...is this the luggage you bought from Performance? If so, what type of bike were you able to fit into it? I've read reviews about it not closing all the way and I'm a little leary of getting it at this point.

http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/400/00_6565.jpg

And lastly...how did you find the prices were on quality Italian bicycling products?

I went to Italy May of this year, my wife sent me there for our 25th wedding anniversary, and I stayed for two weeks above Florence and Venice, at the Italian Bicycle Center near Bassano del Grappa.
I flew in on Northwest/KLM and used an older Supergo hard shell case for my 1983 Pinarello. The Italians all ride new bikes, so your bike is really for you to be comfortable on. The only time you have to check your bike case is when coming back into the U.S., you have to re-check it and they will likely open it up. I found the case fit perfectly in the luggage rack on the fast, Eurostar trains, and on the local trains it stays in the front/back of the car with the other luggage. People won't steal it, but if you don't have room, just keep it next to you on an uncrowded car seat or in the aisle next to your seat so people can get by. I took the bike in the case with me on all types of trains.
I wore slacks to entire trip, no shorts, to blend in more as not many except tourists wear shorts. Also consider button shirts and nice leather shoes to walk around in, although tennis shoes are fine. Nothing loud...
Nobody looks at you if you are wearing cycle clothes. In fact, the way to tell an American cyclist is they wear black shorts, the Italians wear colored: white, red, blue multi-colored shorts with team jerseys. You can be sitting having an espresso wearing cycle shorts/jersey and no one will give you a secound glance.

Useful items: buy cleat covers (You can find them over there also); a small digital camera so you don't have to worry about x-rays on film, and you can buy more memory cards, and bring a spare battery, the charger with plug converter kit (they use two round prongs in Italy). Your cell phone won't work there, but you can rent a cell phone or better to buy a phone card, especially if you will only be calling back home (you can buy local calling cards also)
I carried a large duffle bag for all my clothes, and a small travel bag for other items. Wear a money belt. Use the credit card for purchases and bring travellers checks and cash them at a bank that will convert it to Euros for a fee.
At the train stations, look for the elevators, as they will get you to the underground tunnel to change tracks, and you can use them instead of carrying your bike and luggage up the stairs. Also, the Bin number is the track number-check the digital board for current schedule and ask someone close if this is the train to so and so place where you want to go, you won't hear any schedule changes over the loudspeakers unless you know Italian. 1st preferance is to use the fast trains to travel.
Italian is real similar to Spanish, so you will pick up on it fairly quickly, and there are only so many phrases you need to learn to get by. Watch others and see what they do. They are friendly to foreigners and will help you.
Go to the local bike shop and hang out...they will be speaking Italiano and will not know much English, but you can get the message across. I just rode out and hooked up with local riders also. They really come out on Saturdays and Sundays, to avoid going to church, so you will see large groups on those days.

Above all, prepare for anything, but expect nothing. You will be rewarded with a rich unforgettable cultural experience you can't get anywhere else. Of all the European countries, Italy is the best for hospitality and accomodations.


Ciao

That is the exact same case I use for my Pinarello, and it fit fine (52cm) taking seat, handlebars, pedals off. Buy small locks to lock the closing clips, and it doesn't close all way around edges sometimes, so don't have anything loose in the case, tape or strap everything down. Bring a roll of masking tape with. Watch that the quick release or other parts don't hit the paint or rub other parts-put padding foam between.

I found the drivers in Italy superbe. They are number one in Formula One for a reason...everyone drives well, and fast...and the last thing they want to do, or will do, is hit a cyclist. You will be respected there. Just ride to the right, and be a good rider, not swaying or swerving, don't yell at anyone needlessly, and as good as you are you will become better after being there. I was at first hesitant, but after 30min. I loved it because the roads are so clean and you can go as fast as you can and not worry about whose coming up behind. Just watch the roundabouts and pay attention to the lights...

If you use locks and or tape be prepared to unlock it and un-tape it while going through security. I just returned from Los Angeles and they completely went through the case. I had to unpack the bike and repack it again infront of them. Also don't carry the Co2 inflation bottles in any part of your luggage...I got sent to the security office and lectured on what you can and cannot bring on a plane.

My wife and I went on an organized tour in Italy in ’99 (La Corsa). I loved biking over there! Our tour was in Tuscany and I would highly recommend going up there for a weekend of riding! Our favorite towns were Feline Val d’Arno (sp?) & Montepulciano. Skip San Gimignano, it’s a big tourist trap!

We bought Bike Pro cases:
http://www.coloradocyclist.com/images/products/full/bikproxxx.jpg

I won’t say these protect your bike as well as a hard case, but we didn’t have any problems and we’ve lent ours to other people as well. They do transport pretty well, though.

You might look into renting or borrowing a case from a friend.

Check into the large group rides, Gran Forno’s I think they’re called. Those would be fun!

I wish I could go with you!!
-murray

to those riders that have spent time in italy, how often do you see cyclists on the road compared to where you live? either racer types, or commuters, or kids, etc. i assume you see a lot more of it on a daily basis than here in the states.

Leave the locks off the case when putting it on the plane. Use them for the trains/taxis/buses...you can put the bike case on a bus where the luggage goes underneath, and get a taxi and ask to sit up front-you'll not forget it soon.
Also bring a reciept for the bike so when you get back to the U.S. customs may ask you for one.

Prices are about the same as here for good cycle gear, just things you won't find here. Some bike shops don't take credit cards-use Euros you cashed from traveller's checks, and some banks don't cash traveller's checks.

Ditto- do NOT put locks on the bike luggage. They will break the locks and open it, then you will be screwed! And learn the Italian word for locks- I believe it's lucetta (pronounced loo-ket-uh), because you will find many uses for locks and find that you don't have enough locks! And to find a lock, you'd think it's easy, but I spent a good 2 days looking for locks! :D

That is the performance case I have. When I put my Specialized Sirrus A1 Sport hybrid bike in the Performance case, it fit fine. I did have to take off the pedals, unhook the handlebars from the bike, and take off both wheels, but once all that happened, I could still fit in all my locks, my helmet, all my bike tools, and a few extra towels to wrap around the frame. My rear derauilleur did get a bit dinged up, but I was still ok.

Do not ever take a taxi if you don't need to. They ram you up the butt with their rates, then ram you some more. It's not worth it unless absolutely necessary.

I would say if you don't have a receipt, don't sweat it. The amount of times I've taken my bike back and forth, I've never been hassled. If I had a receipt, I think they'd be more suspicious. In fact, I bought my last bike there and carried it back home, and they didn't even stop me for that.

For prices on bike stuff, I found a lot of it more expensive- because of the Euro. The Euro is ramming us royally, so if you buy it there, you pay for it in Euro, which means you end up paying more. I was almost in tears when I got all nostalgic about the good old days when the lira was less than the dollar and I bought everything I could in Italy because it was such a big deal. Nowadays, I wouldn't buy anything unless I had to. I do bring a catalog, though, so I can do price comparison checks. You can convert the euro to what the dollar is, then see if the component you're looking for is cheaper as compared to purchasing in Italy.

It would not kill you to run to Vicenza while you're in Verona. The Campagnolo factory is there, and you can probably get the parts there. I was suspicious when visiting Vicenza- there were all these people riding rusty, old crap junker bikes that had Campy components- and I'm talking Centaur, Chorus, and Record. I finally did talk to a cyclist, and that's when he said 'ole dude that owns Campy is a friend of his and their factory is right across town.... "what?" I almost screamed at him.... what a treasure and a joy to find Campy's factory, but my timing was off, and the manager wasn't in, so I wasn't able to gain the kind of access I wanted. I made a mental note to head back there, but you can go to the Campy store, even if the manager wasn't there. I did hear that it's almost impossible to get a tour of the factory. Why, I couldn't tell you.

In Roma, you will find that you'll be fearful for about 2 minutes. Then you'll find that people will treat cyclists like a precious commodity there. They do not get irritated, run you off the road, cut you off, etc. They treat you as a legitimate part of traffic who has every right to be using the roads just like cars. You will probably feel refreshed that such an attitude exists, and you will be spoiled by the good time you are having when you ride in the streets of Roma. And there's just nothing like riding up on the Colesseum, the Vatican, the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, etc. on your bike and suddenly seeing these massive, ancient landmarks looming off in the distance.

You will find that in Roma, at the train station, there are NO elevators. However, everything is on one level, so that makes life easy. But most train stations in Italy DO NOT have platforms. Actually, Verona does, so if you take your bike there, which I highly recommend, you will find they have one elevator per platform (or "binario"). You have to hunt for them, but they are there, definitely.

The trains in Roma are very good- they will take you to almost every major attraction, or at least close to it. So if you decide to leave your bike and do your transportation by train, everything is accessible.

I might be inclined to pass on a phone number to you if we get a chance to chat at some point and I think you are truly not a weirdo. ;) She is great- busy, but a lot of fun, very popular, into road bike riding and mountain bike riding, and she can be someone you can rely on. If you have a phone that you can use international, have your cell phone company activate the international feature, I can lend you my SIMS card so you will have a local telephone number. I can also lend you my travel guide books if you need them, but you should really get the maps yourself, since my maps are a couple of years old.

Make sure you have sturdy locks. I had the Kryptonite NY chain, plus a Kryptonite u-lock. Always lock your bike, even if just for a few minutes.

Hopefully, you aren't being overwhelmed with information! :)

Koffee

Wow,

Thanks for the wealth of information and great replies. Just to give a little more background on myself, I do understand Italian and I speak it fairly well, at least to a certain degree (no major philosophical debates quite yet), as my family is Italian and originally from a town to the east of Rome (in the region of Molise). I've been fortunate enough to have the opprotunity to travel to Italy several times (this will be my fifth visit), although this will be the first time that I have had a bike with me and that I will be at least somewhat on my own. I'm pretty fearless when it comes to new places or meeting new people, and I am anxious to see what Italy has in store this time around. I was actually in Rome this past winter for about a week and a half, so although I feel I know how to get around on foot, I am a little nervous about bike travel, although I'm reassured by what you all have to say. On this visit I will be renting an apartment that is situated near the Spanish Steps, if that rings a bell for anyone.

Right now, I think I'm going to see if I can rent a case instead of buy one. I'm not sure if any of the lbs will, but it's worth a shot, as I'm not sure how much I will be able to use it in the near future. If that doesn't work, I'll probably buy the hardshell Performance case that has been talked about. As far as major purchases go, unless I find something at an extreme discount, I'll probably just wait until I get back to the States. I'd love a set of Campy Eurus', but if they're the same price here, I'd rather buy them state-side so I know I can have them worked on.

And Koffee, if you'd like to give me that number it would be great, but I know that the internet is filled with weirdo's so no sweat if you decide against it (although I promise I'm pretty normal :D ). I think I'm going to take your advice of joining a gym, and just hanging around some bike shops. I know not everyone it Italy it a Bettini, but I'd love to get my American butt kicked in the mountains a few times :D . I'll have a DSL line in the apartment along with my digital camera, so I hope that I can give you guys a journal of my events there, as well as my rides (if you're at all interested).

Thanks again, and keep those replies coming!

Jaco

Dood, don't be nervous about bringing your bike. If you haven't bought your tickets, I recommend going with Swiss Air. Throw that bike on up in a soft shell case with straps that you can put on your shoulders and walk that bad boy right on up to the counter. As long as you have only one additional check in bag along with the bike, then there is no charge. And not only that, they told me that they handle the bike like they'd handle a baby, so there would be no damage to my bike. That is the only time I've ever travelled with my bike and incurred no damage whatsoever. When they bragged about their record with bikes, she said it with pride, and she added "we know how to care for da bike-ah... we transport bikes all the time" (imagine that with the Italian accent).

I have not cared too much for the other airlines I've used- Air France, Alitalia, United, and American. Oh, and United sucks.

Koffee

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to drop a quick note to let you all know that I've been in Italy for two weeks now and it's been fantastic. I've been on a few rides and I just got back from the UCI world championships which was an incredible race. The weather has been fantastic, along with the people and my bike made it over safe and sound.

I would type up everything here, but I'm in one of those pay per hour internet cafè's, so to save me some money, I'll link my experiences to my website and you can read them there.

I hope all is well in the States.

Jaco.

UCI Championships Post (http://www.columbuscycling.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=30#30)

My Italian Journal (http://www.columbuscycling.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=2)

Yes, do tell us when you get back how the trip was, post pics and give us all the info you got!

I can't wait to hear all about it!

Koffee