In regard to the above post, we have been running our tours since 1993 and have had a great deal of success with it. We have had literally thousands of people on our tour over the years, ranging in ages from 8 to 73 years old! We have had so much success with our tours over the years that we now have several competitors which have tried to copy our original Fiesole tour - including the wording on their advertising! We must be doing something right, and If things were really so bad as they are made out to be, I don't think we would have lasted the first two years in business, needless to say 15 years!
I personally accept and welcome any criticism and complaints in regard to the service that we provide. If we are late in picking you up in the morning, our van is junky, our bikes are in poor working shape, the route is lousy and the food is bad or the guide is incompetent, please let us know! These are things that I can take responsibility for and have some degree of control over. Each individuals capacity to complete and enjoy the tour is out of my control. In regard to the winery, the vineyard has established the price the wine is sold for on premises. If they choose to give it to a distributor at a reduced price, that is their choice (yes, they do acknowledge doing this, but not at the prices mentioned in the above review). No one has ever complained to us before that they found the wine to be a "rip-off" or a "scam". We will, however, advise future guests that the wine can be found cheaper in town should they care to go and look for it.
I Bike Italy may not be the ideal day for everybody, but I think that our continued success (mostly through word of mouth) over the years, is a testament in and of itself of what we have to offer. If you are thinking of a bike tour out of Florence, please say yes to I Bike Italy.
It really is a great tour...honest!
William Dillon
Owner/operator