Riding Bicycle
Styles of Bicycle Touring Trips
Once you decide to go bicycle touring and have chosen the destination you will need to review the different styles of bicycle touring trips. The type you choose will depend on the length of time you are traveling, your budget and your experience.
Solo Bicycle Touring - To travel solo in an unfamiliar area is not for everyone. Advantages include flexibility of itinerary in that you can cycle as far as you wish each day and it is not a problem to find overnight accommodation. The best advantage is you can stop as long as you wish to see a historic castle, museum or whatever interests you.
You are not totally alone as you frequently meet other cyclists along the journey and can stop for short conversations and generally you can meet people at the camp ground, hostel or hotel that are also traveling alone. A main disadvantage is you need to make all the arrangements yourself.
Bicycle Club Tour- I find most bicycle touring guides forget this option. However, most cities have bicycle clubs which you can join for a small fee. When you find a club that matches your style of cycling you will also generally discover people who lead long distance trips as well.
Advantages are there is someone taking care of the route and accommodation and from a social point you are traveling with people you know. Some clubs such as CTC club in the UK offer numerous destinations while other clubs don't stray too far from home. Just be aware that the organizers of these trips are usually volunteers and there planning expertise will vary.
Small Group Bicycle Tour - A small group is usually anywhere from two to a dozen people. One or two people will usually plan the route, arrange for the flights and accommodation. The group can set the distance it wishes to travel each day, accommodation will suit the group style, you have friends to talk with as you cycle and you can stop wherever you wish. The only disadvantage is the amount of time that can be spent at a castle, museum, etc. as you must compromise to meet the needs of most people.
Guided Bicycle Tour - Major benefits include an experienced guide who knows the route, the best things to see along the way, some undiscovered restaurants that are fabulous, and opportunity to meet some great like minded people. Travel companies vary in price and quality from deluxe tours offered by Butterfield & Robinson or Backroads to the cheaper three star tours offered by companies such as Explore or Exodus.
Trip lengths vary from 4 to 14 days and cycling distances also vary by company. Differences between prices are usually due to the level of accommodation, included meals, are bicycles are included or an additional charge, how the luggage is handled, entrance fees to attractions and whether there is a sag wagon. If traveling single some companies will arrange for a roommate reducing the tour price.
Self Guided Bicycle Tour with a Travel Company - Cheaper than a guided tour you still have the advantages of great maps, rented bicycles, accommodation arranged plus you can stop whenever you wish to explore further. This is a great option for a group of friends who wish to travel but are not great tour planners.
Whichever of these 5 bicycle touring types you decide upon have a great time on the road!
Find out more on bicycle touring gear you will need at Cycle Panniers. Also you can learn about planning for your bicycle tour at Packing Your Cycle Panniers.
What's the deal with people who live in Michigan?
They are so lazy. No one rides bikes they all drive cars and complain about fuel cost and insurance, and males are considered men if they drive their truck to office where they work??? In other states for example California everyone rides bicycles and even have their own bicycle lane or walk to work or stores even if it's far. Sure in Michigan there is winter but in New York people ride bikes or walk too. That's why almost everyone in Michigan is either fat or unhealthy. Why is it that way? Big deal it's where almost all the cars are made I walk or ride a bike and I have two cars.
Get the answers...
Am I being paranoid??? ahhhhh?
I don't think my boyfriend's female roommate likes me. She kind of doesn't really acknowledge me when I am there. He's known her for 6-7 years...and she has a boyfriend.
They're pretty friendly with one another, and last Friday he invited her to dinner which also included me and his other male friend, she didn't go.
-I know for a fact that he likes me and cares for me, we've only been dating for 2 months though, but we get along and he always feels bad when I feel bad about something, because he doesn't like it when I am upset.
-she's pretty tomboyish (she use to box) so, in some ways shes kind of like a guy.
but he told me this weekend he wishes we could cycle together, (he likes to ride bicycles) and he goes on bike rides with his roommate -_____- she also didn't introduce me to a friend she brought over, but introduced him to her friend.
I think I might be paranoid??
Get the answers...
Where and how can I go backpacking?
Hi, I am a poor, starving and cold college student. I am from Las Vegas, NV. I spend most of my time: studying, working, working out, surfing the Internet and hanging out with friends. One thing that I really want to do is travel. However, I don't have a car nor a lot of money. I ride bicycle to school everyday, 5 days per week.
I believe that I am very adventurous, but don't have much adventures because I can't afford to do so. Growing up I used to swim in rivers and ponds in Thailand and explore the forests. There are no places like that where I am currently residing. Matter of fact, it's the opposite.
What I would like to do is gather a few friends and just travel somewhere during spring/summer break. I would also like to do something physically challenging like rock climbing. As I have stated, my major problem is money. Please lecture me.
Get the answers...
|
Next page: 25 Bicycle Tours
Bookmark/Share This Page:
|
|
||
Riding Bicycle News
New Brighton boys hit car while riding bicycle - Timesonline.com
New Brighton boys hit car while riding bicycle Timesonline.com NEW BRIGHTON -- A New Brighton boy remained in a Pittsburgh hospital Tuesday after local police said he and another boy crashed their bicycle into a car in the borough the night before. Xavier Reynolds, 9, was flown by medical helicopter to Children's ... |
Napa Man Killed Riding Bicycle on Silverado - Patch.com
Napa Man Killed Riding Bicycle on Silverado Patch.com The 56-year-old bicyclist died after a Ford Focus drifted onto the shoulder of Silverado Trail near the Yountville Cross Road, according to CHP. Alcohol is not believed to have been a factor in the fatal collision. By Bay City News Service. Napa man riding bicycle killed by car identified |
Santa Clara man killed while riding bicycle is identified - San Jose Mercury News
Santa Clara man killed while riding bicycle is identified San Jose Mercury News By Mark Gomez An 18-year-old Santa Clara man was hit and killed Tuesday night while riding his bicycle on Monroe Street, according to the California Highway Patrol. The Santa Clara County Coroner's Office identified the bicyclist as Daniel Arreola. |
Man robbed while riding bicycle - The State Journal-Register
Man robbed while riding bicycle The State Journal-Register By Anonymous A 50-year-old man told police he was knocked unconscious and robbed while riding his bicycle in the 1000 block of South Fifth Street on Monday. The man said someone came up from behind him and struck him over the head with a hard object ... |
Before riding bicycle, check helmet's size, fit, useful life - The Spokesman Review
Before riding bicycle, check helmet's size, fit, useful life The Spokesman Review • Try it on before you buy. When you first put on a helmet, it should be “snug, not tight,” Forshag said. Then use the helmet's sizing pads or fitting ring and straps to make minute adjustments. • Try to move the helmet back and forth. |
Lorain teen riding bicycle with cousin says group of 10 boys beat him up - NewsNet5.com
 NewsNet5.com | Lorain teen riding bicycle with cousin says group of 10 boys beat him up NewsNet5.com LORAIN, Ohio - A 16-year-old Lorain boy was taken to the hospital Wednesday after he said 10 kids beat him up while riding his bike home with his cousin. The teen told police it happened near the intersection of W. 22nd Street and Oakdale Avenue. |
Woman, 47, riding bicycle struck and dragged by car - Buffalo News
Woman, 47, riding bicycle struck and dragged by car Buffalo News NIAGARA FALLS -- A bicyclist was seriously injured Tuesday night when she was struck and dragged by a car at Pine Avenue and 19th Street. Lighting in the area was not a factor, said Traffic Capt. Salvatore Pino, adding that the bicyclist apparently was ... |
