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Road Cycling: Escorted Bike Tours

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  1.  
    • CommentAuthorFree Membergmm04
    • CommentTimeSep 5th 2007
     
    gmm04

    Well I just completed a 6 day escorted cycling tour of the Pacific Northwest.  Perhaps I should have done more research before signing up but overall it was a very challenging and positive experience.  We had a range of participants from all over the U.S. of various fitness/cycling levels, great food and van support, and I was able to accomplish 240 incredibly scenic miles. 

    My negative experiences include some of the budget motels we stayed at which were kind of run down and I would have personally preferred a little sports variety - maybe some kayaking in the mix but there was no time.  Water, water everywhere and no time to walk the beach or take a boat out.  Also, most of the road travel was on a very busy road with small bike lane sandwiched between the SUVs and the cliff above the deep blue sea.  White knuckle ride in some spots!

    So my question is:  Has anyone else had a fabulous escorted group tour?  Where did you go and what were some of the highlights?   I would do it again either for a shorter time span or with a tour that offers some variety.  What do you think?

     

     

    • CommentAuthorFree MemberCrazymuter
    • CommentTimeSep 11th 2007
     
    Crazymuter

     

    Sounds like a fun tour.  I have never done one of these but I find your comments interesting.  I always wanted to do one, but never thought about the rushed aspect of it.  It would be nice to get kayaking or something else mixed in along the way.  Or at least some info on the places you passed so you could go back and revisit them on a different type of tour.  I defintely would be for the variety tour!  Thanks for the insight into this.  

    • CommentAuthorHero!!easterbird
    • CommentTimeSep 11th 2007
     
    easterbird
    I did my first bike tour with INMotion this year in Nova Scotia. It was great! We 'only' biked but there was plenty of time to birdwatch,sightsee after each day's ride. We did 430 miles in the week. I rode every mile I could but there were options for shorter days or just to 'sag' a day. Not too much climbing and some excellent scenery along the coast. It's called Lighthouse Tour and is a CAMPING trip. I did the camptel option,meaning they brought tent and erected and dismantled it every day,provided an air matress,chair and towel service. Check their web site.
  4.  
    anns.sister

    RAGBRAI is really popular with riders in my town.

     http://www.ragbrai.org/

    Many options for lodging, and riders are pretty much as you like it (start when you want, finish when you want, at least one day with mileage options). I've heard nothing but praise about it.

  5.  
    hannibalbiker

    Hi

    I actually run bike tours here in the Italian Alps.  We accommodate all abilities and try to organise the trips to fit the groups we have at the time.  We try to run our business on an environmentally aware footing as well as keeping our prices sensible to allow people to enjoy their holiday.  It really is a case of you telling us what you want to achieve and we will organise the Itinerary.

    We do MTB and road trips.  See what our customers have said on

    Tripadvisor.com 

    We are currently adding our routes on this site so you can also see what sort of rides we do.  This is a "work in progress" and will be updated regularly.

     

     

    • CommentAuthorFree Memberpilllady99
    • CommentTimeJun 24th 2008
     
    pilllady99

    I just finished the Tour de Nebraska, which is a 300-mile 5-day ride through the Nebraska countryside.  This was my first ride of this kind.  They have a different route every year and this year's route was beautiful - the Nebraska Sand Hills region is where we rode, and yes - there are actually hills!

    The ride is a camping ride where they bring your gear along to the next stop in a truck and you set up your tent in a city park or high school grounds or the like when you get into town.  An alternative is to sleep in the high school gym or in a church - whatever they provide, or if there are motels in town you can choose to stay there.  Most of the towns really take their role as host seriously and they provide some sort of entertainment and food which is always good.

    This particular ride is limited to about 200 riders and so you do get to know people along the way if you so choose, and the lines for bathrooms, showers, etc. aren't too long.  I've talked to people who have been on BRAN (Bike Ride Across Nebraska), which has nearly a thousand riders usually, and they enjoy that.  I've also talked to people familiar with RAGBRAI in Iowa and they say it's pretty much a huge party.  I think there are usually about 8,000 riders - for me, that's too much, and I'm not interested in the partying, so I think I'll stick with the smaller rides.  I will definitely do the Tour de Nebraska again!

    • CommentAuthorFree Memberlahargis
    • CommentTimeJun 25th 2008
     
    lahargis

    You might want to check out your state's (and other states) Multiple Sclerosis 150 ride.  They are very well supported.  You can usually chose between bringing a tent or staying at a local hotel; however, bringing a tent and camping with the rest of the riders makes the ride a bit more enjoyable. (for me)

     

    • CommentAuthorFree Memberakropilot
    • CommentTimeAug 17th 2008
     
    akropilot

    There are a million escorted bike tour companies and a million routes to choose from. I've done 3 supported (hotel) tours: CO road, CO MTB, Tuscany.

     All were fantastic. Tour companies will take your money to escort you any where you want. If you pick a tour that runs down Highway 1 on a weekend, you're in for some traffic. If your tour heads North on Highway 1, you'll be hating headwinds the whole way.

    So there's always a little research and common sense involved with the tour you pick. Google Earth is frankly one of the best tools ever for scouting rides in unfamiliar territory.

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