Cycling day near Pisa advice

[snobetter]

I have a day next May where I can cycle in Italy, I'll be between Pisa and Lucca, anyone any suggestions on route and somewhere to hire a nice bike? Thanks.

[tuffer]

There is a big climb just outside Luca, lots of locals use it, main road up is pretty tough going and the smaller lane on the backside is horrendous. I did not ride it, was in a hire car but I am pretty sure I would not be able to do it. Just look on Strava and you should be able to spot it. Saw a couple of bike shops in Luca that did hire bikes as well so you should be able to find something. If you are just looking for something more sedate then a loop of Luca and the local area would be pretty nice.

[Enricogto]

Depending on your level of fitness and the time available, the most obvious choice is to head north and climb the SS12 (Passo dell'Abetone). It is a long climb of around 17 kilometres long (10 mile) and climbing to about 10000ft with a max 10% incline. Once you are at the top, you can either come back from the same way or you can descend into Emila Romagna until Pievepelago and following the SP324 head towards Castelnuovo di Garfagnana. From there, downhill along the SR445 back to Lucca. That's about 150 km and a whole day riding.

An easier alternative is climbing the SR445 to Castelnuovo, then descend the SP13 (hairpin ahoy!)to Pietrasanta and from there along the coast back to Lucca. 120 km circa.

Otherwise, if you want an easy ride head for the Massaciucoli lake (Puccini's home) and then bumble along the cycle lanes on the coast to Forte dei Marmi, that's probably 40 km mostly flat.

I don't have any particular suggestion on bike hire places.

[snobetter]

Great stuff thanks! I'd like to take the opportunity to do the biggest climb I can while there.