the only time i felt left behind was on a Curves and Tournes tour up to San Marino - they were on Drivles - and rather quick up them their hills
TT = rain Mugello = sunshine. Well that's the theory! Not enough takers so the great idea has hit the bin. But if you want to ride to Mugello, view the race from a decent grandstand and want to stay in good hotels rather than slum it then maybe riding there would be the better option? But Hotels in August are not cheap...
I was up for this trip but at £1700 or so for a week, sharing a twin room, that is seriously expensive. And that price excludes fuel and spending money. I've just done a week in the French alps in a five star chalet, in a twin room (included was breakfast, afternoon tea, four course evening meal with unlimited wine/port etc), lift pass for the whole of the Porte du Soleil area, flights, transfers for less than £900 all in. Last summer my wife and I did 10 days half board in a 4 star resort in Borneo for £850 each including all flights and transfers. It kind of puts it into perspective I think.
Last time I went to Mugello we stopped at a cheap hotel in Colmar the first night, then a Holiday Inn in Florence for the race weekend. The bus to the circuit stops right outside the hotel. I think I spent about £400 including gp tickets, plus fuel.
I've been on a couple of tours through MCi, Alistair and Fionna seem lovely people, but that price is way too high. At the end of the day it's only hotel rooms and gp tickets. You could do the whole week including fuel, crossings, and beer for £1700 without much effort.
Bike touring isn't cheap, unfortunately, mostly due to the cost of fuel. I spent 7 days dodging round France with a mate a few years ago. We did about 300 miles a day and stayed in formule1 motels mostly, but once you take into account the fuel, new tyres, european cover, crossings, lodgings, food and beer, that week cost me about £2500. That's an all-inclusive fortnight in Mexico right there:frown: But - and it's a big but - it's by far the most fun you can have with your clothes on. I've seen a huge amount of Europe that you'll never see in a lifetime of package holidays, met some fantastic people, and ridden some of the finest roads on Earth (and they're closer than you think). It's something every biker should do, cos it beats plodding round Blighty into a cocked hat.
I'd happily spend that for a more involving experience. I just think that at the following prices £1700 for a twin room per person £2000 for single room per person £1250 for a couple in double room per person There's a bit of profiteering and subsidization going on.
