Both Guided and Self-Guided tour operators set up the accommodations, many meals, the
routes and meet guests at the start and finish of the tour. Guided tours provide a tour guide to
lead you every day of your tour with a daily start time, support and meals during the day.
Guided tours include other cyclists on the tour. Self-Guided tours usually provide staff for the
start and finish, accommodations, many meals and que sheets or GPS units, support when
needed but you are on your own to follow your own schedule. Because Self-Guided tours have
flexible schedules, you are often the only cyclists on the tour.
Not usually.
Some tour operators include bikes and some offer to option of renting a bike at an additional
cost. A trend is in offering electric bikes so slower riders can keep up with friends or spouses.
You still pedal but the motor boosts your speed. They are a lot of fun!
No, there are many tours that travel only a few days during a week or don’t travel at all. Look
for areas with a variety of scenery so you won’t get bored with each day’s ride.
That depends on the region or country. If you are taking a tour in an area south of the Equator,
the seasons are opposite of North America. So, taking a January bike tour in New Zealand or
Australia is a good time.
Yes, generally speaking, in Europe, August is the busiest time as Europeans are on month long
holidays. Also consider country holidays when booking a trip. For example, in Southern Spain,
we’ve been told to avoid the September Catalan National Day as the region around Barcelona
shuts down.
There are plenty of tours that are perfect for people new to cycling or who don’t want to ride
long distances every day. Combine rides with stops at museums, brewery visits, sightseeing, or
winery tours. Daily ride distances can be as short as 15 miles.
This depends on the tour. Sometimes they are mountain bikes, sometimes, hybrids and flat bar
road bikes, sometimes city bikes. Electric bikes are very popular these days.
Yes, in almost every city in the world including U. S. cities like New York and Chicago. This give
you a taste of bike touring without a serious commitment. And these day tours provide
comfortable bikes and helmets.
