The overview

By 3rd October

Drop off your bike (unpacked) at Sheffield or Coventry, along with your baggage, for transfer to Italy. For Sheffield, bikes and luggage need to be there before Tuesday morning, if Coventry then before Tuesday midday.

5th October 2023 - Fly to Italy

Fly cabin baggage (one small bag) only from Manchester airport on Ryanair, departing 14:45 for Bologna. You'll be met at Bologna Airport for coach transfer to overnight accommodation in Rimini.

6th October 2023 - Rimini to Bagno di Romano via San Marino

Ride from Rimini to Riccione and then follow the route of the 2019 Giro d'Italia time trial to San Marino, then on to overnight accommodation in Bagno di Romano in the heart of the Tuscan Hills.

7th October 2023 - Bagno di Romano to Florence

Even with some climbing left to do, this shorter day should see you arrive in Florence with time spare to see at least some of the sites of this beautiful Tuscan city.

8th October 2023 - Florence to Livorno

Now in the plains of the river Arno your final day is flatter but not without it's highlights, particularly as the route will take you past Pisa's famous leaning tower then on to the west coast at Livorno. After seeing both coasts we turn back in land to overnight back in Pisa and celebrate your efforts.

9th October 2023 - Fly back to Manchester

Fly out of Pisa on the 10:30 Jet 2 flight back to Manchester. Your bikes and baggage will follow by road and be available for collection from where you left them from Wednesday 11th October.

The detail

Buckingham Group, as your hosts, have covered your costs for the ride. This includes,

• Logistics planning and organising of the ride.
• Electronic route files for use with cycling GPS computers to be downloaded through Ride with GPS (final versions will be communicated when ready.)
• Transfer of bikes and luggage from UK to Italy, between each overnight stop and then back to the UK. Bikes and baggage will be collected from one of two locations and returned to the same location on Wednesday 11th October. The locations are Royal Mail, Pond St, Sheffield and Buckingham's site in Coventry - final details to be shared closer to the time.
• Flights and travel arrangements to the Manchester are not included and are covered separately. Flights are hand baggage only and your main baggage should be left with your bike for transfer to Italy. Please consider what you bring, and limit it to one bag per person.
• You'll be met at Bologna airport for coach transfer to Rimini. All overnight accommodation in Italy is covered (bed and breakfast in twin rooms).
• On ride days, the Go Pedal team will provide meal and refreshment stops ("sportive style" food) as well as emergency support for nutrition and mechanical issues as well as first aid. Please note this extends to "road side" support and more complicated repairs may require you to be recovered and a solution found if possible and available.
• The Go Pedal team will accommodate dietary requests, but any particular nutrition you use for distance riding you are advised to bring for yourself - it can be carried on the day van and available for you at refreshment stops.
• The same applies for spares, again the Go Pedal team carry some generic spares. Anything specialist for your bike you are advised to bring if you are concerned about the fragility of it. Spares remain in short supply in Europe and all riders are advised to bring a rear mech hanger.
• Other refreshments and supplies are not included. Evening meals will be arranged, but again are not included in the ride costs.
• Buckingham Group would like all riders to wear a ride jersey - the cost for these is not included and will be discussed separately.

Please note that Go Pedal provide a service to facilitate, plan and organise group riding. Go Pedal and Buckingham Group, as your host, are not liable for any losses of any form as a result of you choosing to participate in this activity. You are strongly advised to take out personal and travel insurance that covers the risks of undertaking this activity.

Next steps

All that's left is to sign up and make sure we've got the details we need to book you on the event - just fill out the form below and we'll see you soon!

PLEASE NOTE - We assume all passports are valid, UK passports, please advise if not. Passports must be less than ten years old on the day of arrival, with more than three months left on the day of departure.

For shirt sizes we use Owayo. The size chart can be found here - use the first chart (C3) We need the Owayo size from the blue row at the top of the size chart.