Tips on how to Select a Bike Tour

I’ll be trustworthy — I got here to bike journey slightly later in life.

I used to be a hiker first. A wanderer. A “let’s see what’s down that facet street” sort of traveler. Biking felt… intimidating. Lycra-clad pace demons, infinite hills, and the concern of being that individual slowing everybody down.

Seems, I couldn’t have been extra improper.

After diving into bike excursions over the previous few years — from Europe to Japan to Patagonia — I’ve realized that bike journey is likely one of the most immersive, confidence-building methods to discover a vacation spot. And also you completely do not must be an elite bike owner to do it.

When you’ve ever thought, “A motorcycle tour sounds wonderful… however how do I even select the correct one?” — that is for you.

(And in order for you the complete behind-the-scenes dialog, I discuss all about this in my Trip Professionals Podcast interview, the place I share my beginner bike owner classes realized.)

First, Let’s Handle the Greatest Worry: “Am I Match Sufficient?”

That is the query everybody asks. I did too.

The reality is, bike excursions exist throughout an enormous spectrum. Some are designed for knowledgeable cyclists chasing climbs and mileage. Others are designed for vacationers who merely wish to discover a vacation spot in a different way.

The secret’s matching the tour to your consolation degree — not another person’s.

Once I did my first biking journey in Europe, I used to be nervous. Would I gradual everybody down? Would the hills break me? Would I remorse it? Would I be depressing? I actually went into it with no biking expertise.

As a substitute, I found one thing empowering: most bike excursions aren’t races. They’re journeys.
I additionally found ebikes!

You cease for espresso. You cease for images. You cease as a result of there’s a cat sitting in the course of the street taking a look at you.

And also you notice — you belong there.

Why I Determined to Take my First Biking Tour

Guided vs. Self-Guided Bike Excursions: Which Suits You Finest?

That is the primary huge resolution — and there’s no improper reply.

Guided Bike Excursions

Guided excursions are particularly nice should you’re new to bike journey or need the reassurance of assist autos and skilled management.

Guided excursions are implausible in order for you:

• Constructed-in assist and logistics dealt with
• Native perception from skilled guides
• A social expertise with fellow vacationers
• Peace of thoughts if one thing goes improper

You additionally acquire native perception you’d by no means get by yourself. Guides know the tales behind the landscapes. They know the place to cease for the very best pastries. They usually know when to let you know, “Don’t fear, this climb seems to be worse than it’s.” You experience, discover, eat properly, and sleep — another person sweats the main points.

Self-Guided Bike Excursions

Self-guided excursions are all about freedom. You continue to get route maps, baggage transfers, and assist — however you experience independently. You select when to start out. When to cease. How lengthy to linger over lunch?

It appears like an journey — however with guardrails.

Self-guided journeys are ultimate should you:

• Love flexibility and independence
• Want driving at your personal tempo
• Get pleasure from navigating and selecting your personal stops
• Nonetheless need baggage transfers and route assist
• On a price range

See my complete listing of favourite bike gear on my Amazon Retailer

Select Locations With Strong Bike Infrastructure

Not all locations are created equal relating to biking.

Some locations embrace biking with devoted bike paths, quiet nation roads, and drivers who anticipate to see cyclists.

Different locations… don’t.

When selecting a motorcycle tour, search for locations identified for biking infrastructure. Europe excels at this. International locations like Eire, Portugal, France, Italy, and the Netherlands have unimaginable networks. Asian international locations are additional behind of their biking infrastructure, and drivers are far much less used to seeing cyclists on roads.

Earlier than you e book, analysis:

• Devoted bike paths and path networks
• Quiet backroads vs. freeway driving
• Bike-friendly lodging
• Native tour operators and assist providers

A terrific place to begin is native tourism board web sites — they usually spotlight their finest biking routes and bike-friendly areas.

💡 If a vacation spot actively promotes biking tourism, that’s an excellent signal.

Match the Tour to Your Consolation Stage

That is the place many individuals go improper — they overestimate what they’ll get pleasure from.

Earlier than committing, look carefully at:

• Every day distance (miles per day)
• Elevation acquire (these hills add up!)
• Terrain (paved roads, gravel, combined surfaces)
• Site visitors ranges

A 40-mile day on flat terrain feels very completely different than 40 miles with 4,000 ft of climbing. Be trustworthy with your self. A tour ought to problem you simply sufficient — not make you depressing by day three. It’s your trip in spite of everything!

Significantly…Contemplate an E-Bike

I’ll say it loud for the folks within the again:

E-bikes are usually not dishonest.

They’re:

• Confidence-boosting
• Knee-saving
• Hill-flattening
• Recreation-changing for brand new cyclists

I’ve utilized ebikes in a lot of locations. Instances once I knew I wasn’t in form sufficient to get pleasure from myself on a daily bike, or instances once I knew the terrain or climate was going to be too difficult. It allowed me to experience farther, discover deeper, and end every day feeling energized as a substitute of exhausted.

Now, I see e-bikes for what they honestly are: enablers of journey.

E-bikes open up locations and itineraries which may in any other case really feel out of attain — particularly in hilly areas or on longer routes. Many excursions now supply them, or will let you change mid-trip.

And guess what? You’re nonetheless pedaling. You’re nonetheless outdoors. You’re nonetheless exploring.

What to Search for in a Bike Tour Firm

Not all bike tour corporations are the identical — and that is the place doing slightly homework pays off. Right here’s what I search for when selecting a motorcycle firm to journey with:

High quality of Bikes

A well-maintained and becoming bike is the inspiration of your expertise.

Ask questions:

• What manufacturers do they use?
• How outdated is the fleet?
• Are e-bikes out there?
• Are bikes repeatedly serviced?
• If you’re utilizing an e-bike, ask in regards to the battery life.
• Do they carry additional batteries?

Don’t be afraid to name them. A superb firm will fortunately discuss bikes.

Know Their Focus

Some corporations are:

• Biking-first (extra miles, extra depth)
• Vacation spot-first (tradition, meals, surroundings, with biking because the automobile)

I personally choose corporations that prioritize exploration over depth. The place biking is the automobile for discovery — not the objective itself, select the one which matches your journey type.

Ask About Flexibility

Essential questions:

• Are you able to carry your personal saddle, pedals, or bike pc?
• Can you turn to an e-bike mid-trip?
• Will they set up private gear for you?

These little issues make an enormous distinction.

Perceive Terrain & Site visitors

Discover out:

• Backroads vs. highways
• Gravel vs. paved
• Typical visitors ranges

If visitors stresses you out, say so — there are excursions designed particularly to attenuate it.

Consider Pre-Journey Assist

Nice corporations usually supply:

• Coaching suggestions or health steering
• Pre-departure group calls
• Detailed route notes and packing lists

This assist could make your first bike tour far much less intimidating.

Group Dimension & Information Setup

Ask:

• How many individuals per tour?
• Do guides experience with the group or drive assist autos?
• Are you able to experience at your personal tempo, or should you keep collectively?

This impacts every thing out of your day by day enjoyment to how pressured (or relaxed) you are feeling.

See my complete listing of favourite bike gear on my Amazon Retailer

Bike Journey Modified My Relationship With Worry

Biking between state capitols in my Capitol to Capitol mission has pushed me far outdoors my consolation zone.

There have been days I doubted myself. Days I felt like an impostor. Days when visitors scared me.

However every mile constructed confidence. Not simply as a bike owner — however as an individual prepared to attempt one thing new.

Bike journey jogged my memory that you simply don’t want to start out as an professional. You simply want to start out.

Bike Tour Firms & Assets I Personally Suggest

These are corporations and sources I belief — and journey with myself.

Bike Journey within the U.S.

Journey Biking Affiliation

The Journey Biking Affiliation, based mostly in Missoula, MT, is an unimaginable useful resource for bike routes, maps, and bike-friendly path techniques throughout the U.S. That is undoubtedly for extra impartial journey, however they do additionally run group excursions. I’ve by no means taken one among their group excursions, however I’ve used their maps and web site for planning my very own journeys.

Bike Journey in Europe

Expertise Plus Biking Excursions

Working for over 50 years and excellent for all ranges. I took my first journey with Expertise Plus Biking Excursions final summer season and completely cherished it. They’re consultants in Europe and particularly Italy (the place they began). Considered one of my favourite issues? You’ll be able to experience at your personal tempo as a substitute of staying in a decent group. Everybody begins when they need and easily follows the chalk arrows the information lays down. This enables you a whole lot of freedom on a gaggle tour!

As well as, they at all times embody some further cultural excursions on their itineraries, and the lodging are high-quality. They’re undoubtedly a destination-focused firm.

👉 Examine my Southern France biking journey with them final spring.

Eire Stroll Hike Bike

Eire is a good place to cycle in – quiet roads, sweeping views, and much os sheep. I run a whole lot of climbing excursions in Eire, using the native firm Eire Stroll Hike Bike. Additionally they have a giant array of self-guided biking excursions. They prepare your lodging every evening. Your baggage might be transferred if you are out biking. They usually present detailed maps and a GPS app to get you from place to position every day. Plus – despite the fact that it’s self-guided, they provide the safety of 24-hour phone assist.

Ottsworld readers get a reduction! Use code OttsWorld2023 for 5% off their choices – not good with different presents

Wish to Trip With Me? Upcoming Biking Excursions

If you wish to expertise bike journey with me (and skip the educational curve), right here’s what’s arising:

Patagonia eBike Small Group Tour

Trip an e-bike throughout the Patagonian steppe and into the shadows of the Paine Massif, keep in distant ranches, meet seasoned baqueanos, spot guanacos and wild horses, and finish day by day nearer to one among Earth’s most iconic parks. It’s greater than a trip—it’s a transformational journey that challenges, evokes, and delivers a narrative you’ll bear in mind ceaselessly.
Dates: November 1–7, 2026
Solely 8 spots
Value: $5,400 ($1,350 deposit)

Maine Capitol-to-Capitol Biking Tour

This fall, I’m opening up one thing I normally do solo — my Capitol-to-Capitol Quest. Be part of me biking from Augusta, Maine, to Montpelier, Vermont, throughout peak leaf-peeping season, when New England explodes in golds, reds, and fiery oranges. Quiet backroads, car-free trails, charming small cities, and a front-row seat to probably the most lovely instances of yr within the U.S. Each element is dealt with, native guides have our backs, and also you get to be a part of an epic story that connects generations, locations, and folks.
Dates: October 7-14, 2026
Value: $3550 Max: 12 folks

👉 Learn in regards to the Capitol to Capitol Quest – Strolling and Biking to the US Capitols

Shiminami Kaido Japan Biking and Journey Tour

Coming November 2027.

Be sure you join my tour publication so you will get the most recent updates on these customized biking excursions.

A Last Thought

One factor I’ve realized through the years of journey is that curiosity and motion go hand in hand.

Whether or not I’m climbing a rugged shoreline, pedaling throughout a suspension bridge, or chasing cats by means of Japan’s backstreets, I’m reminded that exploration doesn’t should be epic — it simply needs to be intentional.

When you’re interested by bike journey, you’re already midway there.

The remaining? You’ll work out one pedal stroke at a time.