An Obsessive Cyclist
I have been obsessed with cycling since my uncle took me to see my first ever, professional race in Munsummano Terme in 1971. I was 11 years old. It was the first time I had ever seen a bike race and the biggest names in cycling were there; Eddy Merckx, Gianni Motta, Franco Bitossi, Felice Gimondi and many more. The atmosphere from the crowd was electric especially every time Merckx came speeding past. It was a day I will never forget.

From that moment, I took up cycling with a passion, the personal challenge and the collective camaraderie cycling offers is fantastic, I have made many good friends and it has given me the opportunity to participate in events in the UK, France, Italy, Israel, Jordan and Cuba. I have also organised a number of Charity cycle tours from the UK and Belgium to Disneyland Resort Paris, raising over £150k for the Macmillan Nurses Charity. For groups of close friends I have also organised many private cycle trips to Italy; in particular Tuscany,

20 Years in the Travel Industry

My career has always been in the travel industry, I have a great deal of tour operating experience, having spent 12 years working for the Walt Disney company in a number of senior managerial roles plus roles in a variety of Italian, US, and UK travel companies. I have decided during the summer of 2009 to start my own cycling tour operation to Tuscany to capitalise on my passion for cycling, my travel operating experience and the many contacts throughout the region. Most importantly, my family and cycling friends are all based in and around the beautiful town of Montecatini Terme located between Florence and Lucca.

Montecatini Terme is a beautiful location for cycling holidays, it's here where the Gusto Cycling team will be managing the programme. It's a real family business with Michela, my sister, managing the Italian operation and my close cycling friends Massimo and Fabrizio covering the logistics. We want all our customers to have a great time in the knowledge that the Gusto cycling team in Montecatini is close at hand.

Our aim is to offer a variety of cycling experiences whether you’re keen sportsman wanting to challenge yourself in a cycling event, to a Ciclomatori who wishes to indulge in a more sedate, light cycle experience and concentrate more on making friends and discovering the finest Tuscan cuisine! Or perhaps a mountain bike, training week or general cycle breaks with family or friends at whatever level of experience you feel comfortable with. Whichever package you choose, you will fall in love with the region.