Do you enjoy doing rides with a group of friends? Perhaps you’re a member of your local cycling club and enjoy the challenge of competing against each other. If group travel is your thing, and you want to explore new, exotic locales on a cycling trip, such as Italy, then you should think about booking a trip with Auster Cycling Retreats.
Who Is Auster Cycling Retreats?
Auster Cycling Retreats is run by two avid cyclists who are both from the U.K., Max Lawday and Will Smith. Lawday is from the Dorset area but has lived in Europe, Asia, and Australia, and his undying desire for travel has given him the chance to ride in lots of cool places. Smith is also from the U.K., Wales, specifically. He works in the bicycle travel industry and has managed cycling tours, such as the Tour de Cure.
The company is based in central Italy and offers fully guided cycling tours for private groups. During a trip with Auster Cycling Retreats, guests can expect to ride roads used in the Giro D’Italia, Strade Bianche, and L’Eroica while staying at farmhouse villas in Umbria, Tuscany, and Le Marche and indulging in fantastic wine and amazing food.
Why Your Group Should Book a Trip with Auster Cycling Retreats
Auster Cycling Retreats specializes in creating trips that fit with your group’s cycling needs and desires. They state that your group’s fitness level and cycling abilities are considered whether it’s “road or gravel, easy cycling or hard climbing, we’ve got you covered.”
Do you have a friend or partner you would like to bring on your trip who is not a cyclist? The company states it has a wide range of activities it offers in addition to cycling, such as yoga and pilates.
Guests will have access to, “pro-level cycling gear, local gourmet cuisine, and ample fine wine. Bring your own bike or let us arrange one for you.” The theme here is for you and your group to spend your time cycling and not feel bogged down by the other extraneous details that can come with a European cycling trip.
The Beating Heart of Cycling Is Central Italy
There are seemingly endless places to cycle in Europe but France, Spain, and Italy bristle with the enthusiasm and energy of the sport. These three countries are, of course, the sites for the three major grand tours and are epicenters of pro cycling.
Take my word for it when I say Italy is an astounding location to ride in if you love cycling. That’s why Auster Cycling Retreats builds its tours around the Umbria, Le Marche, and Tuscany regions. In fact, the company points out these areas are “the perfect combination of rolling hills, mountains, coastal routes, tarmac, and gravel.”
Farmhouse Villas with Old World Italian Charm
One of the most taxing elements of a bicycle trip in Europe is the constant change of location for accommodations. Most bicycle travel companies operate in this way. That usually means one night at a hotel and then the next morning packing up your belongings for the next hotel the following night in addition to preparation for the day of riding ahead.
Auster Cycling Retreats partners with several farmhouse villas throughout the Umbria region. When you and your group arrive for your trip, you will be chauffeured to a villa where you will stay for the duration of your trip. All of the villas are equipped to handle small groups of up to 10 guests.
Last Thoughts
If you are seeking a cycling trip with your group or cycle club in Italy’s prime cycling regions, then Auster Cycling Retreats looks like a worthy company with which to book your travel. The trips appear to be 5 to 6 days in length but the company gives its guests total immersion in Italian culture while also offering the best cycling experience.
Prices for the trips are not listed on the Auster Cycling Retreats website, so you’ll either have to call, email, or fill out the company’s contact form. On the form, you can specify the dates you want to travel and any other pertinent information, such as the size of your group and the type of cycling you want to do. As always, I would suggest solidifying your plans as soon as possible.
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