Two weeks of cycling around Tuscany has come to an end and I’m on my way home. I’m so grateful for the amazing team of Olympic athletes and musicians that I got to ‘work’ with on this unique trip.

After three years of hosting, the cycling team has become a well-oiled macchina. This group consists of Curt Harnett (Olympic Silver and 2x Bronze cyclist), Chandra Crawford (Olympic Gold Nordic Skier), myself, Barney Bentall (musician) and his wife Kath (who together make a powerful pair of cyclists who have explored every hill, town, restaurant and gelato stop in the area!) and Dennis Colborne .

Each week over 80 Canadians joined us for a unique holiday of cycling, food and music. With the help of 4 or 5 Italian guides we explored every up and down of the Chianti Classico region. It’s not really a vacation for us – but then again – how could it not be? The location is spectacular and the people we meet are all so interesting.

As the guests left on the last morning (most likely a little hungover from all the chianti at the closing night Jim Cuddy and Barney Bentall concert!), they were all beaming. This unique vacation had re-connected many of them to the childlike joy and freedom of cycling and because cycling in this area is physically hard, many also found a confidence in themselves too-long forgotten. It was so amazing to watch their transformation. Continue reading →