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08.30 - Arrival at the meeting point. Getting Acquainted with the group, Introductory and Orientation Talk
09.00 - Bike Fitting and Safety talk
09.15 - Start cycling through the white roads of the Eroica and the rolling hills
10.00 - We reach the hamlet of Vescovado (coffee stop). From this point we descend until the valley of the river Arbia.
10.30 - Arrival at the village of Buonconvento, located on the Francigena Way, nowadays it is an important lodging destination for pilgrims.
10.45 - After cycling around its walls we keep on going uphill until reaching the Monteoliveto abbey.
11.30 - Arrival at the abbey. Time for stretching our legs, hydrating, and freshing up. It follows the virgin olive oil and wine tasting. After it, you’re free to ramble through the abbey.
13.00 - Restart cycling downhill until Buonconvento.
13.30 - Time to grab something to eat in one of the cozy restaurants or have a fast panino and explore the charming village before we get the train (or keep cycling back - optional).
14.58 - Get the train with our bikes until Ponte a Tressa (it lasts 17 min).
15:15 - Restart cycling in the undulating white roads of the Francigena way (10k/6 mi) back to the start point.
15.45 - Estimated Time of Arrival
*The itinerary can be changed according to the guides discretion.
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Together with our cycling guides, this bike tour starts in the fascinating Siena’s hinterland, at the historical Villa of Torri di Monsindoli, to explore the territory located around the Valley of the Arbia, known as Crete Senesi. Equipped with our comfortable Assisted Electric Bikes we will take the famous gravel roads to reach one of the most iconic medieval tuscan abbeys, the Monteoliveto Maggiore Abbey . As we cross territories rich in grape and olive cultivation, as well as ancient cereals such as wheat, lavender, among others we will have the opportunity to stop at panoramic points to take some photos and for storytelling.
Arriving at the Monteoliveto abbey, we’ll be received by a local host, that we’ll lead our way to the abbeys’ angles, and eventually we’ll pop into the winery to learn about their wines and go for the wine tasting, in which you'll get to know several of their DOC and IGT wines, including the typical dessert wine called Vinsanto. Another renowned delight produced by the monks, the extra virgin olive oil, will be the natural sequence of the tasting. After that, you’ll be granted some time to explore the surroundings and the abbey itself before getting back to the saddles and head to the village of Buonconvento.
In this village, there are some interesting options for lunch that your guide will be glad to point out to you - not included (from restaurants where you can have local traditional dishes such as the Pici all’aglione, Pappardelle with Wildboar Ragout or the rabbit; to Pizzerias or even fast sandwiches shops). We’ll spend some time in the village before hopping into the train (tickets are included) that will save us some miles/km. The station is 1 min cycling from the village downtown so the logistics are quite simple. We board the train with our bikes and after 17 min will reach Ponte a Tressa. From there, our inward leg will be a “walk in the park” as we’ll be cycling a gourgeous territory, with undullating white roads for around 30 minutes.
*During the entire route you will be accompanied by a cycle tour guide certified by the National MTB Academy and the Italian Association of Environmental Hiking Guides (card no. 712).
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Approximate Tour Duration 6 hs
Total Approximate distance: 56,8 km / 34 mi
Accumulated Ascents: 576 m / 1900.8 ft
Terrain: 70% dirt roads / 30% asphalt (mostly secondary roads)
Maximum climbing Steepness: 15 %
Difficulty Level: medium
Technical ability required: touristic level (to be able to ride a bike in dirt gravel roads)
Physical effort: low-medium
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Cycling guide certified for the National MTB Academy with total knowledge of the area
Tour Leader Third party civil liability insurance (in accordance with the terms of the RC 70346 policy)
Emergency mechanical assistance in the event of a breakdown
Rental of Electrical Bike (MTB kind)
Helmets
Guided visit
Wine tasting comprising up to 5 glasses of the finest wines produced by the Monte Oliveto Maggiore Abbey
Tasting of the Abbey's filtered extra virgin olive oil, first cold-pressed mechanically
Water in the winery
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Item description
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In the event of cancellation of the tour due to bad weather, it will be rescheduled. If participation on the new proposed date is impossible, the amount will be refunded (depending on the payment method, management costs may be withheld)
As long as the cancellation is requested within 48 hours of the start time of the chosen tour, the refund will be granted in full, with management costs relating to the payment method being withheld.
Refund won't be granted if the cancellation request arrives in less than 48 hours prior the tour meeting time.