Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Summer Guide 2013: Bikes

 

Kate Simon
Saturday 11 May 2013 17:50 BST
Comments
The Via Francigena in Italy, an old pilgrimage route to Rome
The Via Francigena in Italy, an old pilgrimage route to Rome

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Freewheel along the Via Francigena in Italy, an old pilgrimage route to Rome, on a 172-mile tour that links Parma and Lucca. Let an E-bike take the strain, firing up its electric engine when you need a little help on those hills. The week's tour costs £641pp, based on two sharing, through Freedom Treks (01273 224066; freedomtreks.co.uk), including B&B, two dinners, luggage transfers and route maps. International travel costs extra.

Try one of the new cycle routes in Normandy, France. Seventy-five kilometres of traffic-free greenways, the Voie Verte (veloscenie.com), connects Paris with Mont Saint-Michel. Packages are also on offer through L'Orne en Normandie (00 33 2 33 28 07 00; www.normandie-weekend.com). For example, "Discover the Perche", a two-day trip, costs £100pp, based on two sharing, including two nights' B&B and bike hire.

Pedal through the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania on an 11-day ride. Starting in Tallinn, make your way to Riga and Vilnius. From £1,449pp, through Exodus (0845 863 9601; exodus.co.uk), including return flights with Lufthansa from Heathrow via Frankfurt into Tallinn and out of Vilnius, airport transfers, luggage transfers, accommodation, some meals and the services of a guide. Bike hire costs an additional £55.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in