Favorite places to visit and cycle in central/northern Italy?

[bluebug32]

After much research (thank you all for your help), the DH and I have decided to put together our own trip to Italy. We're planning to stay in Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre, and Lake Como (most likely Bellagio) and travel for two weeks, preferably in May or early June.

We're trying to decide how long to spend in each place and are looking for day trips and possible bike excursions out of each location. Do you have any recommendations? We plan to rent bikes in Bellagio on Lake Como and found a good bike shop. We're fine with sightseeing or renting bikes in Tuscany (as long as we can find nice ones), but there are so many interesting places near Florence to choose from!

[Mr. Bloom]

I sent you a PM documenting my experiences. I encourage you to not over regiment your schedule. Italy is a vibrant place that warrants some discretion for spontaneity.

Happy Travels

[Crankin]

We found a couple of nice bike shops in Siena and we rented bikes from one that was just outside the walled city. The owner speaks English and brought us and the bikes to the beginning of a route he planned for us (OK, we went off the route and climbed, oh, about 2K ft. up a mountain pass), just outside the horrendous traffic in the city. Siena is a quick train ride from Florence and really not to be missed. Of course, I am prejudiced, as my son lived there for 6 months, but if you are in Florence, you should do at least one day there.
And, I agree with Mr. Bloom; don't over plan.

[bluebug32]

Siena does look great.

Has anyone been to Lucca or Bologna?

[Eden]

If you get close Orvieto is a delightful little town that is a bit of a tourist stop, but mainly frequented by Italians. It's one of the little walled cities that sits way up on a hill. It's claim to fame is that it is where the Pope used to run too when it got too hot to be in Rome. We had super food and a lot of really good, quite cheap wine there. It's also close to Civita - abandoned village that can only be accessed by walking across a bridge.

[Biciclista]

been to Bologna, it's a big busy city, beautiful, beautiful. I did see cyclists there, but what it is famous for are its gallerias, the sidewalks are all covered... and it's mostly done in shades of pink and orange.
I was in Siena in October and even then it was filled with cyclists from the USA and Canada. It is beautiful country and caters to bicycle tourists. It IS hilly though, and I saw some looks of terror as people rode across wet cobblestones..