Tuscany Enduro Experience

Day 1 

Either drive to the resort or you'll be picked up from Pisa Airport, with the other riders on the tour. Be sure to check you flight times match the pick up / drop off timing in the 'booking your flights' section.

The journey takes 1 hour, once you have arrived you'll go to your rooms, unpack and get ready to build bikes, if timing allows, there is the possibility of a shakedown ride into Piombino forest, which is nearby. Your first day is about settling into your accommodation and your new Italian lifestyle (for the next week at least). 

On the first night, you'll have dinner with Matteo, either in Piobino town, or at the resort, both are great options, we'll check the vibe and the logistics and remain fluid, the plan is to sit down with him, learn about Tuscany and the week ahead, and eat some amazing Tuscan food. 

Day 2

You'll start the day with a short drive to Tuscany Coast Gravity Park, in Castegno Carducci. These trails start smooth, flowy, clean and are the perfect way to get your bike and body into the swing of things. If you are into jumps, there a cool line at the end of one of the sections, if not, everything is rollable!

You'll have lunch here in a lovely traditional restaurant (the chef is a legend!) before heading back over towards the coast and Piombino. Dropping off as close as possible to the trail head, there will be some pedalling this afternoon to lap some of the best trails in the zone, before finsihing up at the beach for aperitivo.

Day 3 

One of the highlights of the tour trail-wise. We keep this day early in the program, so that you have plenty of energy for it, because you'll be doing a fair amount of pedalling this day. Trust us, the trails are worth it. A highlight is Balzo alla Femmina. A trail that took us back to our very first days exploring areas such as Finale Ligure, wild, natural, flowy, fast and long.

The zones climb is a fireroad, unfortunately, too thin in parts for shuttles, then a well-built climbing route that gains you elevation super fast.

Lunch will be in the beautiful town square of Campiglia Marittima.

This zone is a short 20 minute drive from your base. Due to the pedalling required today, we expect you to ride 4 - 6 trails, which is enough to explore the best of the area.

Day 4 

Time for a drive to Punta Ala to check out the birth place of the Enduro World Series. The trails here are quite rowdy, despite not having much elevation. This coastline area does have some good flow, with the best of the trails inland where we'll spend much of the day. 

Riding in the footsteps of some of the pioneers of enduro

We'll take a trail or two in Trili on the way back to Piombino.

Tonight, we'll take you to dinner in the castle overlooking Piombino for a mid week celebration dinner, before your rest day, you've earned it by now.

Day 5

Time for a rest. You can take yourselves to the beach on one of the pub bikes available, sip mojitos all day long while dipping your toes in the sea, or you can take GPX files and self guide Piombino forest nearby. Matteo built this network so no one knows it better. If you aren't already on E-Bikes, today could be a day to try some!

You could even just spend the whole day at the resort, taking lunch and dinner in the great restaurant on site and relaxing by the pool.

Day 6 

Massa Marritima. This is an awesome shuttle day back on the bike and both an excellent wake up call after your rest day, and a great day on the bike on some of the finest trails in Tuscany. Gravity orientated, there are many trails around this zone, from flow trails to technical and highly challenging black runs, over the course of the day you'll ride those best suited for your group.

The town itself is a must see, perched up high overlooking the riding area. A favourite for us is to grab some deli snacks for the drive on the way home, munching on Pecorino and locally cured hams on the drive back to the resort after an epic day on the hill.

Day 7 

Your final day with us, and it's time for an epic adventure. Leaving earlier than usual, you'll be driving down to the ferry port and jumping on a boat to the island of Elba. Taking approximately 1 hour, you'll sip an espresso, take snaps and watch as the island approaches.

Off the boat and onto a new uplift van for the day, where you'll explore the islands trail network. Again here effort is required, it's a big day out. Trail highlight such as Boca de Bandito's is a hike, but well worth it. The riding here is different to the mainland, with looser dirt, more exposed rock and generally higher elevations.

After a long day it's back to the ferry for the return journey, probably catching a snooze in the sun. Returning to the accommodation we'll have a good bye dinner at the restaurant in the resort, or if you have the tile and desire to explore further we can go to the beach in Piombino, we'll just make sure you have time to pack, because now it's time to celebrate the week!

Day 8

Time to go, you're return transfer to Pisa awaits.

Please check your flight times with us before you book them to avoid long wait times at the airport, sometimes this is inevitable but we try to minimise it as much as possible with prior information from you. Some flights from Ireland and Scotland have late arrival times so please do check before booking them.

Transfer times can be flexible depending on the groups we have coming in, but we operate 1 transfer during the arrival day.

You should book your inbound flights to arrive after 12h, and your outbound flights to depart no earlier than 12h.

The transfer time to Pisa is one hour, and 3 hours must be left before a flight to ensure clients arrive at the airport in good time. 

To secure your place on the rider's week A 30% per person, booking deposit is required. Deposits are non refundable and the full balance is due 8 weeks before your arrival in Tuscany.

There is the option of sharing a single, twin/double or triple room, please advise on booking what you would prefer.

Pricing is reflected in your choice, with the advertised price being based on a twin/double share.

Follow our Ability Assessor to see if this holiday is for you

• Advised bike - 130mm - 180mm Enduro Bike
• Fitness - 4
• Skills and Technical ability - 3
• Riding Style - Full Enduro / All Natural / Spirit of Adventure

The riding in Tuscany is physical, you should be used to big days out on the bike and using pedal power, pushing and hiking to gain elevation. The riding is technical, natural and demanding, with only the first morning we would describe as suitable for riders not used to natural terrain.

This being said, for an exclusive group booking, the tour can be adapted to suit many levels of rider, please contact us if you are unsure.

Can I change the arrival and departure dates?

The departure and arrival dates can be flexible, but the price will remain fixed and there will be an extra cost from transfers applied to different arrival dates, the down day, scheduled on a Wednesday will not change unless it suits the group as a whole. For shorter stays contact us on info@atlasrideco.com and we can look at building you a package. A private transfer maybe required for days outside of the schedule.

Can I travel to a different airport?

Transfers can be arranged from Genoa or Milan airports, subject to availability and a surcharge. Pisa is by far the best option on the Italian side.

Can I get uplifts if I arrive earlier enough on the arrival day? Or if I arrive the day before? Or on my departure day? Or on the down day?

Uplifts no, but trail advice yes, there is riding a 30-45 minute pedal from the resort by regular MTB.

What are the options at dinner?

We'll be taking you out on 3 of the nights. Beyond this the restaurant in the resort is a great spot, and there are several options nearby at the beach in Piombino. The seafood shack is a must visit.

I have a dietary requirement or choice?

Most dietary requests can be catered for, though please advise us on booking. Please contact us before booking if you have a medical dietary necessity to ensure your needs can be met.

Can I opt out from the restaurant dinners?

Sure, just let us know on booking. The price will be reduced.

What do you do for lunch?

When uplifting we stop at various Osteria's and Trattoria's around the area, it varies from day to day. The food is always delicious and homemade, often served by some great personalities! We stop for around 1 hour for lunch, it is usually an anti pasti, followed by a main course, dessert and coffee. These are included in the price.

Is there anything like a bar, shop or bike shop where the accommodation is?

Yes, there is a small supermarket with basic essentials nearby, a vineyard, a restaurant and bar in the resort. There is more a short bike ride away. Bike shops there is none, however matteo's HQ, based in the resort, is quite well stocked.

How many trails will we ride each day?

Depending on the length of the trails and long it takes to get to them between 5 and 10 roughly.

How hard are the trails we will be riding?

Most of the trails in Tuscany present their challenges, some are more technical than others. We would suggest your general bike fitness is the most important, it's not the best place to come unfit and unprepared to pedal, push and work to earn the turns. You should be able to ride red runs with absolute confidence and be able to negotiate most black runs in the UK. Trails are not graded in here, but most have technical features that would be on black runs anywhere in the world. Read more in our Ability Assessor.

What is the ability of other people on the trip? Will I be with slower or faster riders?

This varies. We try our best to advise clients on booking to follow our ability assessor and let us know where they think they will be at on Tuscany's trails. If they do this we are able to advise which week will best suit them depending on who else has booked. If you are concerned about being too slow or fast for a group please talk to us. We strongly advise to be realistic in your ability, for your own safety and confidence.

Is there any pushing or pedalling?

Yes, quite a bit, anywhere from 500m - 1200m vertical each day. Some days will be less, others more, and more can be added on if the group desire.

Recommended bike?

We would recommend an aggressive enduro or trail bike for Tuscany. It should be well maintained and modern so that parts can be sourced if they break. We suggest a minimum of 140mm/150mm travel and enduro casing tyres are highly recommended.

If you bring a full face, a lighter model is advised, a hydration pack and all the protective equipment you would feel comfortable wearing.

Can I hire a bike?

Yes there is an option to rent directly from Tuscany Bike and part of your tour Propain MTB and E-Bikes.

What is the average cost of an evening out?

A pint of Italian pilsner will set you back between €4.50 and €6 depending on where and when you buy it. Dinner in a decent restaurant will cost you around €10 - €25 per main course.

Will I need insurance?

Absolutely. With the UK's departure from the EU your EH111 card no longer covers medical care. 

You are required as part of your booking to have personal injury insurance and we also recommend cancellation insurance.

If you are travelling from the UK please use  - Yellow Jersey Cycle Insurance

Since 2017 we have partnered with Yellow Jersey Mountain Bike Insurance to provide professional mountain bike holiday and personal bike insurance policies to our clients. All our clients receive a 15% discount code in your booking confirmation. 

Yellow Jersey Cycle Insurance

If you are traveling from outside of the UK we can recommend World Nomads

Make sure you set your residence location using the flag icon top left

You are required as part of your booking to have personal injury insurance and we also recommend cancellation insurance.

If you are travelling from the UK please use  - Yellow Jersey Cycle Insurance

Since 2017 we have partnered with Yellow Jersey Mountain Bike Insurance to provide professional mountain bike holiday and personal bike insurance policies to our clients. All our clients receive a 15% discount code in your booking confirmation. 

Yellow Jersey Cycle Insurance

If you are traveling from outside of the UK we can recommend Bikmo

Make sure you set your residence location using the flag icon top left