Bike ride in Rome, Italy?

[TexasJohn]

I will be spending the weekend in Rome in late September. Can anyone recommend a weekend ride/group? What about bike rentals? Thanks!

[ultraman6970]

The times been there never seen somebody riding a bicycle, there are cycling stores tho.

From what i heard years ago there are groups and stuff, hope somebody knows something.

[Louis]

Isn't Rome insanely crowded? (never been there myself)

[bigbill]

I spent July 7-14 in Rome and I only saw cyclists on MTB's. The streets are mostly cobblestone and even the smoothest are still pretty rough. I saw several full lycra clad bikers but again, MTB's. The primary economy is tourism, especially March to October so the traffic is taxis and buses. You'd have to head out of town to find places to road ride.

[Gsinill]

...you'd have to head out of town to find places to road ride.

+1

[dave thompson]

Rome traffic is chaotic at best, extremely crowded, full of F1 wannabe drivers and seemly millions of blind side streets. I've driven in Mexico City, London, Vienna but will not drive in Rome or it's environs. IMO you've got to go at 50kms away to find enjoyable riding.

[TexasJohn]

I've got no issue getting on a train out of town to get in a good ride. Anyone ever done this? Share your experience so I can copy it!

[enr1co]

Schedule your visit a couple weeks later to the weekend of OCT 10-12 and you'll have plenty folks to ride with :)

http://www.granfondoroma.com/en/

http://www.granfondonews.it/upload/articoli/2013-10-13-gf-roma-odf/gf-roma-fori-imperiali_t.jpg
http://winnipegcyclechick.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/1397779_10151685194363144_836671216_o.jpg

[Admiral Ackbar]

not sure of local knowledge but if it was me id seek to ride (some of) the Roma-Maxima parcours

[rrudoff]

Sundays are car free in the centro in Rome, you can even just rent a city bike and have a great time. Having the streets car free makes a very different experience. Can't give you much advice about road riding in the area, we live in Tuscany. I have been out and around Villa d'Este and Tivoli and it looked pretty nice for riding around there. I personally have not found Rome very hard to drive in, but I am used to driving in Florence, and while Rome is a bit more hectic, it is not too big of a deal.

[Mr. Pink]

I've got no issue getting on a train out of town to get in a good ride. Anyone ever done this? Share your experience so I can copy it!

Have not been to Rome, but the trains, which are very bike friendly (maybe not the high speed, only local), can have you in nice biking country within an hour or so. Orvieto or Chuisi north would be nice starting points. Check Strava for some maps.

[cloudchaser]

Sadly, the city bikes seem to have disappeared. The stands are still around the city, but no bikes. I travel to Rome weekly for business during the peak tourist months, and I can't imagine cycling inside the city. The traffic and the tour groups would cause you a huge amount of hassles. Enjoy the Centro on foot, take your bike out in the countryside.