Some tours are athletic challenges, others are relaxed excursions with time
to read books, sun, or mix with the natives. These are the different styles
of touring:
Luxury Bike Tours provide a first class experience: Historic inns, culinary
decadence, baggage handlers and native interpreters. Expensive but worth it.
Van Supported Tours usually offer motels and camping with small intimate
groups and miles of camaraderie. Sometimes these semi-economical packages
include a mix of luxury options.
Organized or Event Style Tours. Now you’re “roughing it”, large groups and
budget camping. You’ll feel like the star of an epic drama.
Credit Card Tours. Carefree at last. If you can swing a few of these, that’s
living. Most of us only hear about people who do this. You will be traveling
light with some evening attire for the inn, usually with your partner. With
complete freedom you may sacrifice security and direction.
Light Touring is; Self-contained tours with camping gear or lodge, short
weekenders.
Self-Contained Touring or Self-Guided touring could include a cross-country
trip with 40lbs. of gear and camping.
Fixed – Base Touring. Pick a home base camp or inn and tour the surrounding
routes and return to base at night. Vancouver is a good example of a base
with interesting destinations in every direction for day cycling trips.
GUIDED TOURS
Guided Tours
For some people, slogging along for a week with 50 lb. of gear may not be
their idea of a significant vacation. Guided tours offer convenience, the
tour company will carry your gear, provide the route and look after details,
wonderful meals, nice places to stay, guaranteed to make your cycling
vacation more luxurious. The guides will provide first aid, plenty of
snacks, stories about the area and bike repairs.
It isn’t always more expensive to go on an organized tour. For instance, a
6 day luxury tour costs around $950. Paying for the same meals and
accommodations yourself would be $100 less but you would be carrying your
own gear, organizing your own route. No guides or support van.
Because of volume discounts on inns and lodges, a guided tour could be less
than you would pay if you did it yourself; you get the camaraderie of a
group and security.
All Inclusive
A luxury guided bicycle tour should include the following: All accommodations.
Some may be double occupancy, unless you pay the extra single supplement.
All meals or most dinners, two picnics, and all breakfasts.
Two experienced guides/cyclists/mechanics. Preferably one native of the
destination and one sweeping in the support van providing snacks and first
aid.
A Support Van to provide lunch and get you over the rough area’s.
Detailed maps, written directions and area background information.
Selected museum admissions, presentations, tours and special events
(excluding excursions like helicopter rides, unless you are a very good
salesperson.)
Airport transfers, chartered land transportation, and ferry trips.
Free stuff: T-shirt / water bottle.
Quality bike rentals.
Bike Rental
If you love your bike, take it on the tour otherwise the company may rent
you one for $20/day.
If you rent, bring your own clipless pedals and your favorite saddle. If you
are flying to an exotic destination you may want to use their rental just to
avoid the hassle of boxing, shipping and cargo fare. I.e.: $65 there, $65
return.
Clothing
Typically you will be supplied with a list of items to bring, remember to
reduce the evening wear and focus more on your gear, especially cold weather
gear to avoid misery and enjoy comfort.
Excursions
Sure, majestic scenes, wildlife, paradise lakes are best. The luxury
adventure will provide you with more than you may have expected with
excursions such as: Sailing, whale watching, hiking, sightseeing, historic inns,
whitewater rafting, helicopter sightseeing, kayaking, balloon rides,
gourmet meals, snorkeling, cultural tours, wine tours, natural history tours.
Group Selection
How do I hitch with a group that I like?
Improve your chance of a compatible group by asking your tour operator about
age range, backgrounds, where they are from. Some companies provide trips
for singles, families, or focus on culinary, cultural, history, outdoors
wildlife interests.
Insurance
Consider trip insurance “blue cross” so you can be flown out of any isolated
areas, and have medical coverage in the event of a mishap. Cancellation
insurance is recommended in case you have a change in plans and have to bail
out. You will get most of your money back in both cases, only if you are
covered.
Note
A tour company will provide a variety of tours to suit degrees of fitness
and special interests. Compatibility is important to maintaining a fun
atmosphere, try and work-out expectations ahead of time.
Most enjoyable touring roads have: few hills, are sheltered from wind,
provide scenic areas, avoid traffic and urban sprawl, provide excellent
accommodations and camping, and exceptional food sources.
Tour companies choose destinations carefully with emphasis on the rewards of
novel experiences. They also provide services:
Travel arrangements
Bikes and maintenance
Accommodation and meals
Support vehicle
Shop Around
When selecting a tour company, get some info, chances are that you won’t be
disappointed with your tour, but communicate your expectations and find out
how long the company has been in business. A fantastic catalog may not
guarantee a good trip, though a bad one may indicate sloppy tours.
Call and ask some questions. What happens if the trip doesn’t have enough
participants? Are the guides experienced outdoor leaders? How long has the
operator been in business? Does your operator take time to ask about your
needs and riding level?
Actually the best deciding factor is calling their satisfied clients and
getting the scoop.
Shop around and do some homework to ensure your vacation is with the best
operator for the outlay. Each tour company is different, as each restaurant
cost is considerable, so do some research first. Ask and ensure that the
daily distances are challenging enough for you. The amenities are important
but look for clues to the nature of the experience that you will receive.
Tips for a successful vacation:
Encourage compatibility to maintain harmony. Work-out
advanced agreements to establish expectations of each other.
Gauge your cycling level for a comfortable daily distance.
Get advanced information on culture, terrain, prevailing winds, road
conditions.
Use secondary roads to experience the scenery and charm of an area.
You can be spontaneous when selecting accommodations but
you may be too tired to shop around for an inn or campsite, try
and select your resting place sooner than later.
Select Your Level
How can I be sure that the tour will be the right level of challenge?
Find out how much you will be riding each day. Most tours are 35-50km a day.
Ask about the terrain, weather, and level of challenge. If you are traveling
with a companion who may ride more or less than you, ask about the options.