How to Have an Exciting Bicycle Tour. & Then Relive It Again & Again!

Transcription

1 How to Have an Exciting Bicycle Tour & Then Relive It Again & Again!

2 1 Identify What You Want and What Works For You The first thing you have to do is figure out what kind of biking experience you want and what pace works for you. Maybe you prefer to ride solo or maybe you prefer to ride in a group of millions? Okay, maybe not millions, but a large group or maybe something in between is just right for you. Next, you should think about how many miles you like to put in each day. Are you a speed demon on wheels or do you prefer to take your time while you re on the road? Are you a strong rider or a novice? Do you like to meet people or commune with nature? Love climbing or detest hills? A memorable bicycle tour is often more about the journey than your destination so make sure you know what you want in terms of where you want to tour, group size, biking pace, how much you like to stop and how much support you may need along the way. A memorable bicycle tour is more about the journey than your destination

3 2 Find Your Perfect Match! Sometimes figuring out what you want is the hard part, but now that you have done that, it s time to find a tour group that is your ideal match. There are tour groups for every size, pace and style. Are you looking for a very basic, bare bones tour that allows you a great deal of independence or a tour that serves as a way to meet new people and is loaded with extras? The sky is the limit, so you can be sure that there is a perfect match for you, no matter what kind of budget you re working with. If you re unsure what your perfect match is, Build Your Tour has worked with numerous tour operators and our tour matching service may help take the guesswork out. There are tour groups for every size, pace and style.

4 3 Off Bike Experiences Whether you are thinking of something extravagant or basic, consider where you are going and look at what options you have for food, lodging and attractions. Many destinations offer natural wonders, beautiful scenery, national parks, museums, historic sites, wineries, and more. Study up on the sites that attract you before your trip. And learning some local lingo may lead you to some very interesting places. Where will you take breaks or spend your evenings? Whether it entails mingling with locals or being a shameless tourist (you re allowed!) think about how you want to spend your off-bike hours. You ll find they are just as memorable as the hours you spend cycling every day. You ll have to consider your budget too, but even the tightest budget doesn t mean you can t tour in style and make memories that will stay with you for years to come. Your off-bike hours may be just as memorable as the time you spend cycling

5 4 Shape Up! It Is All About Physical Preparation A bike tour is many things, including great exercise, and you want to make sure you re ready for it. Seriously, who wants to pull a muscle? Put in as much time on your bicycle as you can before your tour and make sure to train on the bicycle you ll be using, or at least one setup similarly from a reputable shop. Speaking of the bike you ll be using, if you re renting one make sure you know your saddle height, reach (the distance it takes for your arms to reach the handlebars) and bring your own important components such as shoes, GPS or computer, pump, clipless pedals, and a saddle (especially if you are prone to saddle irritation). Websites such as TrainingPeaks.com and TrainRight.com will help you do what you need to do, to be physically ready. You can also look into a local coach if you prefer a one-on-one experience. Getting in shape might be work, but it should also be fun! Just remember your upcoming plans and when you take your bicycle tour you ll be happy you put in the prep-time. Bring your own important components such as shoes, GPS, pump, clipless pedals, and a saddle.

6 5 Time To Get Packing! Are you a planner? Is anyone you re touring with (and already know) a planner? If not, grab a planning-savvy friend and get packing. For a week-long tour, bring three cycling outfits or kits: base layer, jersey, shorts, socks and gloves. There are few things as unpleasant as a cyclist who is wearing the same outfit for several days, without giving it a proper cleaning. Make sure to bring detergent, soap and anything else you need to wash your clothes on your trip in the sink or stream (and plan ahead for Laundromats near where you ll be staying). Prepare your packing list in advance to bring less clothing and take twice as much cash for incidentals. For more ideas on what to bring (and what to leave at home) check out our list at: Bring 3 cycling kits for a week on tour.

7 6 Attitude Is Everything When you are on your bicycle tour, remember that you are on vacation. This might be more difficult for you Type-A individuals, but you want to enjoy each minute for what it is, without focusing on what is coming next. So bring an adventurous, curious and joyful attitude! If weather or physical challenges derail your plan for a day, be flexible. Make a new plan or swap up your plans on your itinerary. Get to know the locals and the people on your tour, because they can easily become lifelong friends. Slow down, take pictures and enjoy each experience. You may never pass this way again. Assess your condition and options regularly to ensure you ll be able to achieve the monument goals of your tour. Remember that on a bicycle tour, the most memorable experiences are getting to where you are going, not just arriving at the final destination. Slow down, take pictures and enjoy each experience. You may never pass this way again.

8 7 Relive It Again and Again! It s time to get in touch with the photographer in you. Bring your point and shoot or digital camera (really any camera will do even the one on your phone) and take as many pictures as you can. Take pictures of the scenery, buildings, trees, flowers, the road, your tour companions, and most importantly, yourself! Getting home and finding out you re not in any of the pictures from your memorable bike tour might be really disappointing, so hand your camera off to someone else and ask them to take pictures of you. Then Get a photo book designed by Build Your Tour! It ll be your favorite souvenir from your trip, and it ll let you relive your trip again and again! Order you Bicycle Tour Photo Book now at: Relive your trip again and again with a beautiful photo book designed by Build Your Tour!