FAQ
Veelgestelde vragen
Hieronder vind je een overzicht van de meest gestelde vragen.
What makes Umbria so special for gravel riding?
The beauty of Umbria lies in how incredibly varied the region is. You’ll find an almost flat valley nestled between two mountain ranges—perfect for saving your strength and recovering from intense efforts. Then there are the rolling hills that lead into the more rugged Apennines. This way, you’ll find short climbs of 1 to 3 kilometres, but also longer ones up to 8 to 10 kilometres. With these three distinct landscapes, you always get amazing three-layered views: valley, hills, and mountains!
If you ask me, Umbria is more beautiful than the better-known Tuscany. That region might be more famous—both with culture-seeking tourists and gravel bikers—but Umbria has just as much to offer. You'll also find stunning strade bianche here, and cities like Assisi, Spoleto, Foligno, Perugia, Gubbio… perfect for culture lovers!
What is the climate like in Umbria?
Umbria has a Mediterranean climate, making it an ideal holiday destination and place to live—even in winter. The region is often called the “green heart of Italy.” There’s lots of green, though yes, it does rain sometimes. Luckily, it rarely rains all day. And when the sun’s out, it can get really warm—even in winter. You might end up grabbing your shorts!
- Spring (April – May – June):
March can still feel fresh, but by late April, cycling season truly begins. Average temperatures range from 15°C to 25°C. In June, the mercury climbs towards 30°C. Blossoms and blooms make this a colourful season. - Summer (July – August):
Cyclists start early to beat the midday heat. Sunshine is a given, and 30°C is the standard. In August—the hottest month—temperatures can even spike to 40°C. If you’re not used to cycling in this heat, it’s strongly advised to take it easy. - Autumn (September – October – November):
The ultimate cycling season. Extreme temperatures are gone, and tourists are heading home. The sun still shines often, and temperatures in September and October range from 15°C to 27°C. Even in November, riding in a T-shirt is totally realistic. The vineyards in their autumn colours make this an unforgettable time to ride. - Winter (December – January – February):
Winter here has always been kind to me. It doesn’t rain or freeze much, and it’s still pleasantly warm. January is the coldest month, but even then, we enjoy aperitifs in rolled-up sleeves. Summer is never far off in Umbria!
My favourite cycling months: June and September – it’s sunny, not too hot, and there’s barely any rain!
What happens in case of bad weather?
At Giro Gravel we go by the motto: we’re not made of sugar!
As mentioned earlier, it rarely rains for days on end. When it does rain, it’s usually short and intense. We can always take shelter if needed. On rainy days, no one is forced to ride. If you prefer to stay at the accommodation, that’s totally fine.
Of course, we won’t ride in unsafe conditions. It always has to be safe and fun for everyone!
How do I get to Umbria?
Option 1: By plane
The easiest and fastest way is by plane. Available airports:
- Perugia
Distance Perugia - accommodation: 44 km (30 min) - Ancona
Distance Ancona - accommodation: 128 km (1h30) - Rome
Distance Rome - accommodation: 177 km (2h)
Aangekomen in de luchthaven van Perugia, kan ik je oppikken en vervoeren naar de luchthaven voor het tarief van €50. In het beste geval landen er nog deelnemers in Perugia en kunnen de kosten gedeeld worden. Voor de terugvlucht geldt uiteraard hetzelfde. Een taxi rekent voor deze transfer minstens €100 aan.
De shuttle service die ik aanbied is niet geldig voor Rome.
Vanuit Rome kan je dan de trein nemen tot in Trevi. Hier kan je voor een tarief vanaf €45 de taxi nemen richting accommodatie.
Opgelet: leg je treinticket tijdig vast.
Click the button below for updated prices and info:
Option 2: By car
Road trip!
Is it necessary to rent a car?
No, since you'll be travelling in a group of 8 to 16 people, it's more cost-effective to arrange a taxi for the transfer from the airport to the accommodation and back. During the rest day or free afternoons, you’ll have bikes at your disposal for any short trips to restaurants or village centres (maximum 5 km on flat terrain). I can also provide bike locks so they can be safely stored.
Is it necessary to bring your own bike?
No, check the page about available bike rentals for more info.
If you do want to bring your own bike, I recommend using tyres of at least 38 mm width (I personally use 47 mm tyres) in a tubeless setup. This helps to minimise the chance of punctures so the whole group doesn’t have to wait constantly.
Wat zijn de betalings- en annuleringsvoorwaarden?
Vraag een offerte aan per e-mail of via het contactformulier. Na bevestiging ontvang je een mail van jouw boeking zodra alle aanbieders (hotels, restaurants, fietsverhuur etc.) de boeking aan ons hebben bevestigd. Als aanbetaling vragen we een voorschot van 30% van de tourkosten. Het totaalbedrag van de tourkosten moet 4 weken voor startdatum van uw vakantie voldaan worden en staat vermeld op de factuur. Er komt een bindende overeenkomst tussen ons tot stand wanneer we deze factuur verzenden.
In case of cancellation, the following cancellation policy will apply:
- Tot 31 dagen voor aanvang: 30% van de tourkosten
- 30-21 dagen voor aanvang: 50% van de tourkosten
- 20-14 dagen voor aanvang: 75% van de tourkosten
- 13-6 dagen voor aanvang: 100% van de tourkosten
Voor iedere verandering nadat de reis definitief geboekt is, worden 50 Euro administratiekosten gerekend. Een vermindering van het aantal deelnemers wordt beschouwd als een annulering en hiervoor gaat de bovenstaande annuleringsregeling van kracht.
Can I do the rides on a road bike?
No, unfortunately I don't allow it. It’s true that for example the Strade Bianche gran fondo can be done with a road bike (I’ve done it myself), but the gravel roads we’ll ride are simply too rough to do this safely with a road bike. We also want to minimize the risk of punctures so we don’t constantly have to stop and wait for the group. That’s why we work with the rental company for tubeless setups.
Are the bike tours guided?
Yes, I ride along every tour. This way you always have a local with you who speaks the language and can support you in case of trouble. Of course, I’ll also share the GPX files so everyone (or part of the group) can ride the route at their own pace.
What happens in case of technical issues during the ride?
In case of mechanical issues, I will assist you as a guide as much as possible. Since you're an experienced cyclist, I also assume you know some basic skills and can apply them if needed: inserting or replacing a tube, solving chain or gear problems, straightening your handlebar after a fall...
If the issue is too complex, a mechanic from the rental service will be called so you can get back on the bike as soon as possible.
For minor crashes, I carry the necessary material to provide first aid. For more serious crashes, external help from an ambulance or hospital will be arranged.
What should I bring?
Essentials
- Helmet
- (Sun)glasses
- Cycling shoes (if you want a rental bike, please inform us of the correct cleat system; we use Shimano SPD)
- Cycling clothing: bring gear for both warm and cold weather. We’ll climb above 1000m altitude, so descents can be chilly.
- Cycling computer (GPS)
- Front and rear lights: some rides go through pitch-dark tunnels (with no car traffic)
- 2 water bottles (preferably 750 ml)
- Sunscreen
- Swimsuit
Optional
- Sports nutrition: as previously mentioned, this is included, but bring your own if you have specific preferences
- Saddle bag with repair tools: tubes, tire levers, CO₂ cartridges, multitool, plug kit for tubeless setups, etc. If you don’t have any of this, I can offer the necessary equipment at fair prices
- Gravel bike
- Back pack / Camelbak