Hi,
i’ll be living in Florence for a few months. Does anyone has recommendations about training venues or groups? I’m particularly concerned about an adequate pool for training. Thanks
I dont know but I need somewhere in Rome I will be there 4 months going crazy if all I can do is run.
I don’t know about pools, but a great bike shop is www. florencebybike.it in florence. rented bikes frome them a few years ago…great viner road bikes. they speak english very well, and they have a lot of info for riding in the region
You are very fortunate. I have been lucky enough to ride just South of Florence several times. While riding in Florence will not be nice (it is a big busy city) a short bus ride north to San Gimignano or Volterra will get you into fantastic riding country. You can also ride along the coast around Ceccina. Pick up a Michelin Map for Tuscany and make friends with it. I have ridden in many places and this is one of the all time best places to ride. Drop me a line if you want more info at scott@wildrock.net I have led rips to Tuscany before and can get you more info if you wish. If you are heading to these hills throw a 12-27 on the bike.
Scott
Running in Florence was tough for me. Got out early in the morning to avoid the crowds, but even at 6 am there’s a lot of exhaust fumes on the roads already.
Best bet is to run inside the Boboli Gardens. Nice soft pebbled roads and awesome grounds. You do have to pay an entrance fee though…I think it was 6 Euros.
As far as biking you might have to drive North a little. The town of Poggibonsi had some nice roads, or ride up to Ghisallo.
Wait til you try the waffles on the street that come w/ ice cream and chocolate …good stuff. You can find a few vendors as you approach the Duomo .
I dont know but I need somewhere in Rome I will be there 4 months going crazy if all I can do is run.
Where abouts in Rome? Running in Rome isn’t great apart from the parks (villas). There are plenty of pools such as a 50m pool in Villa Borghese and many 25m pools such as Forum Roma in the west. There are also various nice lakes that you can swim in, and the sea isn’t far away either. Roads in and around Rome are bad, potholes everywhere. If you get out of the city you can find some nice routes. There are a few triathlons not far from Rome late in the year, and loads of running races. Many of which are really odd distances like 12.2, or 7.3 km for some reason. Have fun.
Get small gears. That area is nothing but hills and plenty of them are steep.
The tour of three regions in Italia that we offer include group rides with the local club riders in town. They have invited us yearly because the cyclists/triathletes that have joined us can reasonably hold the local pace and climbs (which is similar to most club rides in N.America).
Find the most local bike shop, and then find out where the local point and time of departure is from. I’m certain you’ll love the companionship and subtle challenge the Italian riders will provide. We are headed back in June of 2008.
I am certain you will have a lifetime of stories upon your return. However; if you are like the rest of us who “va in giro in Italia”, you will never really return home.
Buocca al Lupo!!!
(Good Luck)
I figured out today that between my apartment and class is about a mile and I pass by the colliseum on the way to class going towards the river. Do you think it is reasonably for me to think I can buy a fixie when I get there to get around the city or will I have a good chance of being hit by a car, I heard they really drive crazy there. Thanks for the input I appreciate it.
-Cooper
The driving is a bit crazy in Rome, that’s for sure. Red lights are nothing more than advisory for most scooters and many cars, so you have to ride defensively. I have done some riding in the city without incident so I’m sure it can be done. Not sure if I’d particularly like to commute every day though.
Hi, I will also be in Florence for a couple of months and would like to train there for a triathlon… were you able to do it when you were there?
I didn’t train too much for other commitments, but you certainly can. There’s a big park 2km from the center called “le Cascine” with a 3km dirt loop where you can run and a small paved circuit for easy riding. For cycling there are endless and beautiful loops.
Try contacting the Firenze Triathlon club, they are well organized and very nice people. I did a few sessions with them and they can show you the best spots.
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