| Many companies offer leisure cycling tours to | | | | sheets that are easy to read and follow? |
| locations around the world. This article | | | | |
| summarizes how you should prepare for your | | | | 8) In the evenings, is there someone around |
| trip. | | | | to clean your bikes, or is it up to each |
| | | | cyclist? |
| There are many ways to enjoy travel in a | | | | |
| foreign country. Most people think of renting | | | | Depending on the state or country through |
| cars, or taking buses or trains everywhere. | | | | which you're riding, most of these amenities |
| But because people are following a different | | | | are offered, unless you're on a budget tour. |
| routine and are on vacation - they do tend to | | | | If you're going budget, it's best to be a |
| pack on the pounds. The way to ensure that | | | | very experienced cyclist and already know |
| you will not need to go on a diet after you | | | | what you're doing. |
| return from your vacation is to go on a | | | | |
| cycling tour. You'll be able to sample the | | | | Bicycling is a very popular way to see |
| local cuisine all you like, because you'll | | | | Europe. There are self-guided bike tours as |
| work off all those calories on your bike! | | | | well as the tours offered by companies. It's |
| | | | important to check out what kind of bikes |
| Cycling tours are offered for every level of | | | | they offer to ride, however. You'll want the |
| bicyclist - from the beginner who might need | | | | best quality available. |
| a "pick up ride" after a while, to the | | | | |
| experienced cyclist who can zoom up the hills | | | | Types of Tours |
| as if they were weren't there. | | | | |
| | | | WomanTours is a company that focuses solely |
| Most European countries are extremely bike | | | | on offering bike tours for women. Most of the |
| friendly. Bikes are expected to be on the | | | | tours offered by this company take place in |
| roads, drivers are familiar with them and | | | | the United States, but at least once a year |
| give them a wide berth. So it's very safe to | | | | they do offer a tour overseas. You can go on |
| bike in Europe. A lot of places in the United | | | | an economy cycle tours of Hawaii, cycle |
| States seem to resent the very existence of | | | | through the Outer Banks of North Carolina, |
| bicycles, which is why it's always best to go | | | | experience the majesty of Yellowstone and |
| on a cycling tour with like-minded people. | | | | Grand Teton National Parks, and much more. |
| You'll be biking through areas that are used | | | | Their website even has a tour blog so you can |
| to seeing cyclists. | | | | see the fun that past cyclists have had on |
| | | | their tours. |
| Leisure cycling tours are designed for all | | | | |
| different kinds of terrain - from flat and | | | | Some of the major bicycle manufactures have a |
| peaceful rides through the beauties of nature | | | | travel and adventure arm for their customers. |
| to the fitness challenging of the steepest of | | | | For example, Trek Bikes has "Trek Travel." |
| mountains. | | | | They offer six trip types: classic, explorer, |
| | | | family, family explorer, specialty and |
| If you'd like to go on a leisure cycling | | | | weekend tours, in destinations such as |
| tour, the place to do your research is on the | | | | Asia-Pacific, Central America, Europe, and |
| web. | | | | North America. |
| | | | |
| When you're looking for a particular tour, | | | | The "classic" tours are designed for riders |
| you'll want to compare all the available | | | | of all abilities. The "explorer" trips put |
| amenities for each tour. | | | | less of an emphasis on luxury - you'll be |
| | | | camping out in national parks, for example. |
| 1) Accommodations. Are you going to be | | | | Family trips are designed to have activities |
| staying in hotels, or in campgrounds? | | | | available for people of all ages. And Trek's |
| | | | specialty trips include being escorted by |
| 2) Are meals included? If so, which ones? | | | | professional cyclists - for example "Classic |
| | | | Climbs of France with Kevin Livingston," or |
| 3) Will there be free refreshment stops each | | | | "Texas with Lance Armstrong." |
| day? | | | | |
| | | | If you're planning on taking a |
| 4) If the tour passes by anything of | | | | leisure-cycling tour, you must do your |
| historical interest, are riders given an | | | | research. Find out how long the tour company |
| opportunity to go look at any sites of | | | | has been in business, and try to contact some |
| interest? | | | | people who've been on those tours so you can |
| | | | find out if anyone had any bad experiences. |
| 5) Baggage transport. Who handles the | | | | It's always a good idea to contact the Better |
| luggage? | | | | Business Bureau to see if anyone has lodged |
| | | | any complaints against them |
| 6) Is their a sag wagon? (This is a car or | | | | |
| other vehicle which will come and "rescue" a | | | | A leisure-cycling tour is one of the best |
| tired rider or one who has had an accident of | | | | ways to see a particular region. The more you |
| any kind.) | | | | know and the more preparations you make, the |
| | | | more fun you'll have on your trip. |
| 7) Do riders receive daily maps and cue | | | | |