Comments for bicyclefreedom.com http://bicyclefreedom.com Ride out and meet whatever challenges you Wed, 04 Apr 2012 19:30:19 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 Comment on Bike routes and black olives by maro http://bicyclefreedom.com/2012/01/bike-routes-and-black-olives/comment-page-1/#comment-17563 maro Wed, 04 Apr 2012 19:30:19 +0000 http://bicyclefreedom.com/?p=515#comment-17563 You are a lucky man and I hope I will be able to take a part of your ride on a way you did. Eagarly waiting a copy of the book. Cheers! You are a lucky man and I hope I will be able to take a part of your ride on a way you did. Eagarly waiting a copy of the book.
Cheers!

]]> Comment on Would you like to ride a bike across Italy? by rob http://bicyclefreedom.com/about-2/comment-page-1/#comment-17332 rob Fri, 30 Mar 2012 13:53:09 +0000 http://bicyclefreedom.com/?page_id=105#comment-17332 Thans Jacob, appreciate it mate Thans Jacob, appreciate it mate

]]> Comment on A long walk up the Appian Way by Jacobbear http://bicyclefreedom.com/2011/10/a-long-walk-up-the-appian-way/comment-page-1/#comment-16544 Jacobbear Sun, 11 Mar 2012 06:05:14 +0000 http://bicyclefreedom.com/?p=477#comment-16544 Ciao, Jeff! What's it like living in Brindisi? Ciao, Jeff! What’s it like living in Brindisi?

]]> Comment on A long walk up the Appian Way by Jeff http://bicyclefreedom.com/2011/10/a-long-walk-up-the-appian-way/comment-page-1/#comment-16524 Jeff Sat, 10 Mar 2012 21:08:39 +0000 http://bicyclefreedom.com/?p=477#comment-16524 Ciao, I'm an American that lives in Brindisi, actually on the Via Appia. I'm starting to plan a trip biking to Rome along the Via Appia like you so it looks like I came to the right place. I'm sure to have a lot of questions. Also if you need any logistical help around here let me know. A biking culture is trying to grow in Brindisi. Jeff Ciao,
I’m an American that lives in Brindisi, actually on the Via Appia. I’m starting to plan a trip biking to Rome along the Via Appia like you so it looks like I came to the right place.
I’m sure to have a lot of questions. Also if you need any logistical help around here let me know. A biking culture is trying to grow in Brindisi.

Jeff

]]> Comment on Bike routes and black olives by Jacobbear http://bicyclefreedom.com/2012/01/bike-routes-and-black-olives/comment-page-1/#comment-16331 Jacobbear Mon, 05 Mar 2012 03:25:16 +0000 http://bicyclefreedom.com/?p=515#comment-16331 I wish I was there right now ;) I wish I was there right now ;)

]]> Comment on Bike routes and black olives by Jacobbear http://bicyclefreedom.com/2012/01/bike-routes-and-black-olives/comment-page-1/#comment-16330 Jacobbear Mon, 05 Mar 2012 03:24:43 +0000 http://bicyclefreedom.com/?p=515#comment-16330 Hi Anna, Sorry it took so long to get back to you. You can take a train back from Brindisi but there are two obstacles. If you take one of the main trains straight to Rome you'll have to put your bike in a box (you can get one at a bike shop in Brindisi). Or you can take local trains that allow you to bring your bike right on the train. The second option is a lot of fun if you have the time. You'll probably have to spend at least one night somewhere along the route, but this can lead to new and interesting discoveries. (I spent an extra night in Gravina on the way back, and the hotel owner's cousin gave me a detailed tour of the town). If you decide to do this, be aware of strikes ("sciopero.") The day after the foresaid night in Gravina, I had to ride for another day because the trains weren't running. But in return for this inconvenience, I got to see more wildflowers, castles along the Adriatic coastline, the nightlife of Caserta (better than you'd think) and a tour of Benevento my third (and final) day on the route back to Rome. Good luck! Hi Anna,

Sorry it took so long to get back to you. You can take a train back from Brindisi but there are two obstacles. If you take one of the main trains straight to Rome you’ll have to put your bike in a box (you can get one at a bike shop in Brindisi). Or you can take local trains that allow you to bring your bike right on the train. The second option is a lot of fun if you have the time. You’ll probably have to spend at least one night somewhere along the route, but this can lead to new and interesting discoveries. (I spent an extra night in Gravina on the way back, and the hotel owner’s cousin gave me a detailed tour of the town). If you decide to do this, be aware of strikes (“sciopero.”) The day after the foresaid night in Gravina, I had to ride for another day because the trains weren’t running. But in return for this inconvenience, I got to see more wildflowers, castles along the Adriatic coastline, the nightlife of Caserta (better than you’d think) and a tour of Benevento my third (and final) day on the route back to Rome.

Good luck!

]]> Comment on Would you like to ride a bike across Italy? by Jacobbear http://bicyclefreedom.com/about-2/comment-page-1/#comment-16329 Jacobbear Mon, 05 Mar 2012 03:16:15 +0000 http://bicyclefreedom.com/?page_id=105#comment-16329 Hi Rob, 1. Your tyres will be OK as long as you stay on the main roads. That said, I would recommend bigger tyres because some of the best sites are off the main road. If you use your 700x23 tyres, take via Appia Nuova to get out of Rome and avoid the basalt stones in the park (if you have the time, I highly recommend staying an extra day to visit the park on foot) 2. Most of the way, traffic will not be heavy on SS7. The exception, of course, is near large cities such as Caserta and Brindisi. I don't remember the names of the alternate routes but if you get a map from Touring Club Italia (available at book shops and kiosks all over Italy) you can find minor roads. (Buy the regional maps, don't bother with the map of Italy because it doesn't have enough detail) 3. There are hotels and pensione in most of the towns you'll visit. There aren't many campsites, but I've pitched my tent along the road many times and nobody has ever bothered me for it. 4. Don't worry. The people of southern Italy are some of the kindest, friendliest people I've ever met. Every time you stop for food, water, etc. strike up a conversation with the locals. They will share a wealth of information, and they'll often try to feed you, too. Hi Rob,

1. Your tyres will be OK as long as you stay on the main roads. That said, I would recommend bigger tyres because some of the best sites are off the main road. If you use your 700×23 tyres, take via Appia Nuova to get out of Rome and avoid the basalt stones in the park (if you have the time, I highly recommend staying an extra day to visit the park on foot)
2. Most of the way, traffic will not be heavy on SS7. The exception, of course, is near large cities such as Caserta and Brindisi. I don’t remember the names of the alternate routes but if you get a map from Touring Club Italia (available at book shops and kiosks all over Italy) you can find minor roads. (Buy the regional maps, don’t bother with the map of Italy because it doesn’t have enough detail)
3. There are hotels and pensione in most of the towns you’ll visit. There aren’t many campsites, but I’ve pitched my tent along the road many times and nobody has ever bothered me for it.
4. Don’t worry. The people of southern Italy are some of the kindest, friendliest people I’ve ever met. Every time you stop for food, water, etc. strike up a conversation with the locals. They will share a wealth of information, and they’ll often try to feed you, too.

]]> Comment on Bike routes and black olives by Jacobbear http://bicyclefreedom.com/2012/01/bike-routes-and-black-olives/comment-page-1/#comment-16328 Jacobbear Mon, 05 Mar 2012 03:03:50 +0000 http://bicyclefreedom.com/?p=515#comment-16328 You're going to have a great time! It is allowed to ride your bike on most of the SS7. The road changes a lot, and I don't like to ride the whole way. Out in the countryside, SS7 is very peaceful and scenic. Close to the cities, you will find a lot of traffic, industrial sites, and garbage. I recommend getting a map from Touring Club Italia. Then you can pick an alternate route. You’re going to have a great time! It is allowed to ride your bike on most of the SS7. The road changes a lot, and I don’t like to ride the whole way. Out in the countryside, SS7 is very peaceful and scenic. Close to the cities, you will find a lot of traffic, industrial sites, and garbage. I recommend getting a map from Touring Club Italia. Then you can pick an alternate route.

]]> Comment on About by Jacobbear http://bicyclefreedom.com/about/comment-page-1/#comment-16327 Jacobbear Mon, 05 Mar 2012 03:00:40 +0000 http://bicyclefreedom.com/?page_id=2#comment-16327 Miranda, walking the Appian Way is going to be an amazing adventure. It will be a lot easier if you speak Italian. Also, some parts of the route are boring industrial areas. I would suggest you take a train to get through some of the less-scenic areas. Good walking routes: Rome to Terracina, Terracina to Formia (one of my favorites), Formia to Minturno and most of the area around Minturno. Benevento into the Apennines to Venosa. After Venosa the land is very barren (lots of grass, not many trees) so you'll want protection from the sun and rain. If you go in May the land will be covered with wildflowers--this is more beautiful than I can describe. Gravina and Matera were two of my favorite stops in southern Italy. Good luck! Miranda, walking the Appian Way is going to be an amazing adventure. It will be a lot easier if you speak Italian. Also, some parts of the route are boring industrial areas. I would suggest you take a train to get through some of the less-scenic areas. Good walking routes: Rome to Terracina, Terracina to Formia (one of my favorites), Formia to Minturno and most of the area around Minturno. Benevento into the Apennines to Venosa. After Venosa the land is very barren (lots of grass, not many trees) so you’ll want protection from the sun and rain. If you go in May the land will be covered with wildflowers–this is more beautiful than I can describe. Gravina and Matera were two of my favorite stops in southern Italy. Good luck!

]]> Comment on Bike routes and black olives by Adelheid http://bicyclefreedom.com/2012/01/bike-routes-and-black-olives/comment-page-1/#comment-16315 Adelheid Sun, 04 Mar 2012 21:51:22 +0000 http://bicyclefreedom.com/?p=515#comment-16315 I will be starting my bicycle trip from Rome to Brindisi come June 3. I would love to read your whole book! Is it by the way allowed to ride your bike on the SS7? I know people even walk along it, so probably yes. I will be starting my bicycle trip from Rome to Brindisi come June 3. I would love to read your whole book!

Is it by the way allowed to ride your bike on the SS7? I know people even walk along it, so probably yes.

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