CycleItalia's Owner - Operators

The heart of CycleItalia is our staff.

Heather and Larry met leading bike tours in Italy, married soon after, and have since racked up more than 20 years cycling guide experience. They launched CycleItalia in 1998 to share their passion for Italy with you. CycleItalia has its roots in the Italian cycling getaways they planned as a couple, exploring the little-traveled backroads of untouristed regions, discovering small family-run inns and enjoying authentic country cuisine.

Heather is a philosophy professor at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa. She first traveled to Italy in 1984 to visit relatives and has returned almost every year since. She speaks fluent Italian and uses her academic research skills to create CycleItalia's unique itineraries.

During her career as a bicycle racer in the 1980's she made many friends in Italy's cycling community, some of whom she continues to visit annually. She has produced study tours in Italy and Greece and knows a fair amount about local history - especially the Etruscans, Romans, and Renaissance Florentines.

Larry runs the CycleItalia office.  He's the one who answers the phone and email.  A USA Cycling and Campagnolo certified professional mechanic, he's rescued countless bikes from the jaws of mechanical disaster with amazing "in-the-field" repair jobs.

The only thing he loves as much as a fast, twisty descent (where his experience as a professional motorcycle roadracer is useful) is Italian wine and food. This passion comes in handy when it's time to research the gastronomia of a new region of Italy, and share it with you.