Hiring/buying cheap Bike and Rack near venice

[jackw_42]

The plan: next summer me and two friends are planning on cycling down Italy, from Venice to Lamezia in the south, this is pretty much the length of the country and across the Apennines mountains. We'er doing this as a charity event.

The problem: We live in the UK so taking a bike with us that distance, cost wise, isn't really an option.

The plea for help: does anyone one know of any were in/near/around Venice that we could rent or buy cheap bikes from? baring in mind we wont be able to return them to Venice, as we finish in Lamezia.

 

[gavintc]

I do not think you have thought this one through. A bike renter will not 'rent' a bike knowing it will end up 1100 km away without charging significant costs for relocation. Surely flying the bikes is a better option, albeit there are costs, but at least you get to know the bikes and their issues before starting the ride. Buying a cheap 2nd hand bike may well incur hidden repair costs on route. I presume you chose Lamezia as there are flights back to UK at the end of the trip.

 

[Brains]

Take a look at European Bike Express. http://www.bike-express.co.uk/
It a perfectly good (and in the long run cheaper) method of getting you and your bike to and from Italy
I'd have thought getting off at Genoble, train to Mordaine, through the tunnel to Italy would see you in Venice within a few hours

 

[mcr]

Take a look at European Bike Express. http://www.bike-express.co.uk/
It a perfectly good (and in the long run cheaper) method of getting you and your bike to and from Italy
I'd have thought getting off at Genoble, train to Mordaine, through the tunnel to Italy would see you in Venice within a few hours

The Bike Bus used to go to Venice - sadly no more (maybe if enough of us nagged them they might reintroduce a couple of Italian departures).

 

[jackw_42]

Thanks for the bike express link, i'll deffinatly check it out , the reason i was asking about bike renting is because i was wondering if there are any big chain stores across Italy where you could rent at one and return at another.

thanks for the help

 

[steveindenmark]

Ryanair fly from Stansted to Venice and takes bikes. We used them to go to Pisa with our bikes and there was no problem.

My suggestion is that you take bikes that you do not mind leaving behind when you return to the UK and just book them on the outward flight.

This is an easy and cheap solution to your problem.

Steve