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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.

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