Find out how to Select a Bike Tour

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

I used to be a hiker first. A wanderer. A “let’s see what’s down that aspect street” form of traveler. Biking felt… intimidating. Lycra-clad velocity demons, countless hills, and the worry of being that particular person slowing everybody down.

Seems, I couldn’t have been extra incorrect.

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 should be an elite bicycle owner to do it.

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

(And if you would like the total behind-the-scenes dialog, I speak all about this in my Trip Experts Podcast interview, the place I share my beginner bicycle owner classes realized.)

First, Let’s Deal with the Largest 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 need to discover a vacation spot in another way.

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

Once I did my first biking journey in Europe, I used to be nervous. Would I sluggish 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 massive choice — and there’s no incorrect reply.

Guided Bike Excursions

Guided excursions are particularly nice in the event you’re new to bike journey or need the reassurance of help automobiles and skilled management.

Guided excursions are unbelievable if you would like:

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

You additionally achieve 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 most effective pastries. They usually know when to let you know, “Don’t fear, this climb seems to be worse than it’s.” You trip, discover, eat nicely, 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 help — however you trip independently. You select when to begin. When to cease. How lengthy to linger over lunch?

It appears like an journey — however with guardrails.

Self-guided journeys are supreme in the event you:

• Love flexibility and independence
• Choose using at your personal tempo
• Take pleasure in navigating and selecting your personal stops
• Nonetheless need baggage transfers and route help
• On a finances

See my total record of favourite bike gear on my Amazon Retailer

Select Locations With Strong Bike Infrastructure

Not all locations are created equal in the case of 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 motorbike tour, search for locations recognized 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 ebook, analysis:

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

An ideal 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 Degree

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

Earlier than committing, look intently at:

• Each day distance (miles per day)
• Elevation achieve (these hills add up!)
• Terrain (paved roads, gravel, blended surfaces)
• Site visitors ranges

A 40-mile day on flat terrain feels very totally 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 any case!

Severely…Contemplate an E-Bike

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

E-bikes will not be dishonest.

They’re:

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

I’ve utilized ebikes in a lot of locations. Occasions once I knew I wasn’t in form sufficient to get pleasure from myself on an everyday bike, or instances once I knew the terrain or climate was going to be too difficult. It allowed me to trip 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 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 firms are the identical — and that is the place doing a bit homework pays off. Right here’s what I search for when selecting a motorbike firm to journey with:

High quality of Bikes

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

Ask questions:

• What manufacturers do they use?
• How outdated is the fleet?
• Are e-bikes accessible?
• Are bikes repeatedly serviced?
• If you’re utilizing an e-bike, ask concerning the battery life.
• Do they carry further batteries?

Don’t be afraid to name them. firm will fortunately speak bikes.

Know Their Focus

Some firms are:

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

I personally desire firms that prioritize exploration over depth. The place biking is the car for discovery — not the aim itself, select the one which matches your journey type.

Ask About Flexibility

Essential questions:

• Are you able to deliver your personal saddle, pedals, or bike laptop?
• 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 site visitors ranges

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

Consider Pre-Journey Assist

Nice firms usually supply:

• Coaching ideas or health steerage
• Pre-departure group calls
• Detailed route notes and packing lists

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

Group Measurement & Information Setup

Ask:

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

This impacts all the things out of your day by day enjoyment to how pressured (or relaxed) you’re feeling.

See my total record of favourite bike gear on my Amazon Retailer

Bike Journey Modified My Relationship With Worry

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

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

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

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

Bike Tour Firms & Sources I Personally Suggest

These are firms and assets 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 positively for extra unbiased journey, however they do additionally run group excursions. I’ve by no means taken one in every of 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). One in every of my favourite issues? You possibly can trip 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 loads of freedom on a bunch tour!

As well as, they all the time embrace some extra cultural excursions on their itineraries, and the lodging are high-quality. They’re positively 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 loads of mountain 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 night time. Your baggage might be transferred when you are out biking. They usually present detailed maps and a GPS app to get you from place to put every day. Plus – although it’s self-guided, they provide the safety of 24-hour phone help.

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

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 each day nearer to one in every of Earth’s most iconic parks. It’s greater than a trip—it’s a transformational journey that challenges, conjures up, and delivers a narrative you’ll bear in mind perpetually.
Dates: November 1–7, 2026
Solely 8 spots
Price: $5,400 ($1,350 deposit)

Maine Capitol-to-Capitol Biking Tour

This fall, I’m opening up one thing I often 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 one of the crucial stunning 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 other people.
Dates: October 7-14, 2026
Price: $3550 Max: 12 individuals

👉 Learn concerning the Capitol to Capitol Quest – Strolling and Biking to america Capitols

Shiminami Kaido Japan Biking and Journey Tour

Coming November 2027.

You’ll want to join my tour publication so you will get the newest updates on these customized biking excursions.

A Closing Thought

One factor I’ve realized over time of journey is that curiosity and motion go hand in hand.

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

In the event you’re interested by bike journey, you’re already midway there.

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