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Picking a Bicycle Tour Company
By spokesman | March 19, 2008
I am an avid cyclist and have done nearly twenty bicycle tours. These have ranged from self supported tours (where I plan the route and carry everything I will need) to fully supported tours from bike tour companies (where the tour company plans the route, makes the hotel reservations, transports your luggage and provides support along the route). This post will discuss some of the important criteria for choosing a tour company.
Destination - The first step is to decide where you would like to go. Some tour companies have tours all over the world, while others have a more limited selection. If you have a friend that used a particular tour company or you know of one with a good reputation, you may limit you choice to trips offered by that company. At the current time, the combination of a weak US dollar and high oil prices make European travel more expensive for Americans, so there may be less demand for European trips this season.
Amount of Biking - Once you have an idea of the location, you need to decide how much biking you want to do. Most tour companies provide the daily distance and a description or rating for the difficulty based on the terrain. Many tour companies also have options of different lengths. Do you want to spend the entire day riding or would you like more time off of the bike for sight seeing? Determining the balance between biking and other activities may help you decided on a tour. Many tour companies offer tours that include other active sports such as hiking, rafting and kayaking. For destinations, where there are not as many sights along the route, more riding may be the best way to see the area. For other destinations, there may be many opportunities to stop and see local sights. The balance is a matter of personal preference.
Amount of support - What level of support do you need? Is it sufficient to be given a map and you just take off on your own? Are you comfortable fixing flat tires or doing more difficult repairs on your own? Alternatively do you want a guide and van riding the route to pick you up and provide repairs along the way.
Hotels/restaurants - Look at the itinerary to see the hotels where you will be staying. This can make a big difference in the cost of the tour. The quality of the hotel is a personal choice.
Cost - The cost of tours, even in the same area can vary significantly. The quality of the hotel where you stay and the level of support can drive the price. Be careful when comparing the prices from different tour companies. The tours may not include all of the same items nor be of the same duration. Check to determine what meals are include, the number of hotel nights and if the bike is included in the cost or if it is priced separately. Additionally for many tours, the start may be early in the morning on the first day, so you will have to arrive the day before. Most tours don’t include a hotel room for the night before or after the tour, but you may need to get one depending on the location and the time when the tour begins and ends.
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Topics: Touring |