This might seem like an odd question, but does anyone know if RSSC allows bicycles on board? Have you ever seen a passenger with one?

I'm contemplating bringing my bicycle with me on my May '05 Med cruise, for several reasons. First, I'm seriously considering doing a triathlon in mid-June, so in the early part of May I'll be in the thick of training, and taking two weeks off would be very bad. Riding on stationary bikes in the gym doesn't cut it, either. Clearly I can run (both in port and on the ship), and I can swim in the pool (hope it's not too cold, but hey NOTHING is worse than swim-training in the Pacific in winter, which I've done!), but the bike part is what I'm concerned about.

Second, several of the port stops are in areas where it seems like there would be some lovely riding. Especially when we get to Livorno - I've already been to Florence, Pisa and all the other hot spots in Tuscany, so rather than do a shore excursion, I would LOVE to spend the day riding in the beautiful countryside. Third, we'll be spending three days post-cruise in a castle out in the country north of Rome, and it would be nice to be able to get out and do some riding on those days.

And finally, I keep dreaming of all the amazing meals I'm going to have in Compass Rose, Signatures & Lattitudes, but those dreams turn to nightmares when I think about trying to squeeze into my formal dress after a few nights of this! Cycling is a great calorie-burner, doncha know. :)

I called RSSC, but the person I spoke to had no idea, she said I'd have to find out from the ship itself. Not sure how to do that! I know I can get my bike there -- I have a shipping box for it, although I need to find out how much it'll cost to bring it with me on the plane. And I'm thinking about the logistics of carting it around with me -- not sure how that's gonna work either. But if RSSC doesn't allow me to bring it on board, then it's all a moot point anyway.

I'm wondering if you can rent bikes in any of these cities - I think that would be easier.

Just a thought...

R

Y'know, I've thought about that. I spent some time on the web researching to see if I could find any place that rents bikes in Tuscany, as that would definitely be a place I'd like to ride. I found one place in Florence, actually, and it looks like I could get a decent race bike for 33 Euros for a full day. And I may be able to find them at some of the other locations as well, so that's a distinct possibility.

The only thing that's giving me pause is that it might be a hassle to get myself to the bike rental places, and go through all the rigamarole of renting, returning etc. If I had my own bike with me, I wouldn't have to worry about that -- I could just roll it off the ship and take off. On the other hand, then I have to deal with transporting it pre- and post-cruise. What to do??<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008_ZSXXXXXXXXUS' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/29/29_1_12.gif' border=0></a>

I'm going to continue to try to get an answer from RSSC, and if it's a big NO, I'll do some further digging into the rental possibilities. Thanks for the suggestion!

Maybe you could get one of those folding bikes? Ok, I'd better go home - the lame idea department is closing for the day!!!

R

No no, Robert, that is truly NOT a lame idea! LOL! In fact, it's one I seriously considered...and it may still be on the horizon as an option. I actually found a pretty decent one for less than $400. If none of the other options pan out, I'll look further into this. I would just need to know how sturdy these things are, and if I truly could do a good 50-miler on one without beating it to smithereens.

I really appreciate your suggestions! We seem to be on the save wavelength, coming up with the same ideas, huh?

LeeAnne, Don't forget that sometimes where the ship docks can be an industial area and might be quite a way to the scenic areas. I am not sure with your ports because I won't visit them til October :)

Hmmm...good point!

L-one of my clients just spent 3 weeks bicycling throughout Italy. It was the best trip he and his wife ever had. They did not bring their own. I will ask them. Their photos of Tuscany (and everywhere else) were amazing.

Lee Ann,
Wow! A 50 miler in one day? I do 40 miles a WEEK and think I'm really somethin'. Does make the legs look good tho..... ;)

Well, let me say that I certainly don't do 50 milers on a regular basis! My usual training distance is 25, but I have done 50 or 60 milers occasionally, to up the ol' endurance. To be honest, I do not expect to be doing 50-milers on vacation. But then, you never know how inspired I'll feel when I get out there in Chianti country! :)

BTW, LeeAnne _ I live right off the bike path in Westlake

Robert's idea of a folding bike would be ideal. I've read about the Bike Friday folding bikes (they pack into a checkable airline suitcase), and they are supposed to be very high quality. To read about them, CLICK HERE . The advantage of bringing your own bike over renting, of course, is you know you'll be riding a properly fitted bike.

If you'd rather rent, you might ask this question on the Touring Forum at BikeForums.net ( CLICK HERE ). You might be able to pick up a bike at one city, and drop it in another. If this is possible, probably someone at that forum would know the answer.

I know that on one of the trips the Captain kept his bike on board with some of the crew and he made a point of always riding his bike in evey port.

Perhaps there are crew bikes you could use? Some ports have bike trips as part of the activities.

John, I checked out that link -- wow, some interesting bikes on there! They might be a bit out of my price range, though. But after reading some of the stuff on that site, I have a better feel for the general sturdiness of folding bikes, and if I can find one that I can afford, that may end up being my solution. I had the impression that folding bikes were more for little jaunts to the store, rather than long rides, but they had a number of bikes on there that are designed for touring.

I'm still going to check out the possibility of bringing my own bike, because it would be best for my training to be riding on the bike I'll be using in the race. Hey, of the Captain can bring his, maybe I can bring mine!

ChatKat, I hadn't noticed that you were in WL before -- we're neighbors! I run the dirt path alongside Westlake Blvd regularly, and when I was training for my last triathlon, I did many weekend rides around the lake. I live over by Amgen, in Rancho Conejo Village.