The best way to Select a Bike Tour

I’ll be sincere — 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” type of traveler. Biking felt… intimidating. Lycra-clad velocity demons, infinite hills, and the concern 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 without doubt one of the most immersive, confidence-building methods to discover a vacation spot. And also you completely do not have to be an elite bike owner to do it.

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

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

First, Let’s Tackle the Largest Concern: “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 skilled cyclists chasing climbs and mileage. Others are designed for vacationers who merely wish to discover a vacation spot in a different way.

The bottom line is matching the tour to your consolation degree — not another person’s.

After 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 an alternative, 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 pictures. You cease as a result of there’s a cat sitting in the course of the street you.

And also you understand — 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 large determination — and there’s no incorrect reply.

Guided Bike Excursions

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

Guided excursions are unbelievable if you need:

• 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 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 very best pastries. And so they know when to inform you, “Don’t fear, this climb appears to be like worse than it’s.” You journey, 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 journey independently. You select when to start out. When to cease. How lengthy to linger over lunch?

It seems like an journey — however with guardrails.

Self-guided journeys are very best for those who:

• Love flexibility and independence
• Choose driving at your individual tempo
• Take pleasure in navigating and selecting your individual stops
• Nonetheless need baggage transfers and route assist
• On a funds

See my whole 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 identified for biking infrastructure. Europe excels at this. Nations 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 companies

An important start line 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 incorrect — they overestimate what they’ll take pleasure in.

Earlier than committing, look intently at:

• Day by 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 completely different than 40 miles with 4,000 toes of climbing. Be sincere 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!

Critically…Contemplate an E-Bike

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

E-bikes will not be dishonest.

They’re:

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

I’ve utilized ebikes in a lot of locations. Instances after I knew I wasn’t in form sufficient to take pleasure in myself on an everyday bike, or occasions after I knew the terrain or climate was going to be too difficult. It allowed me to journey farther, discover deeper, and end every day feeling energized as an alternative of exhausted.

Now, I see e-bikes for what they really 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 can help 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 slightly 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 obtainable?
• Are bikes often 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. An excellent 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 automobile)

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

Ask About Flexibility

Vital questions:

• Are you able to deliver your individual 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 a giant 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 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 assist could make your first bike tour far much less intimidating.

Group Measurement & Information Setup

Ask:

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

This impacts the whole lot out of your every day enjoyment to how pressured (or relaxed) you are feeling.

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

Bike Journey Modified My Relationship With Concern

Biking between state capitols in my Capitol to Capitol challenge 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 just don’t want to start out as an skilled. You simply want to start out.

Bike Tour Corporations & Assets I Personally Advocate

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 programs throughout the U.S. That is undoubtedly for extra unbiased 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 time and completely cherished it. They’re specialists in Europe and particularly Italy (the place they began). Considered one of my favourite issues? You’ll be able to journey at your individual tempo as an alternative of staying in a decent group. Everybody begins when they need and easily follows the chalk arrows the information lays down. This enables you quite a lot of freedom on a gaggle tour!

As well as, they at all times embrace 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 superb place to cycle in – quiet roads, sweeping views, and much os sheep. I run quite a lot of mountain climbing excursions in Eire, using the native firm Eire Stroll Hike Bike. Additionally they have a massive array of self-guided biking excursions. They prepare your lodging every night time. Your baggage might be transferred if you are out biking. And so they present detailed maps and a GPS app to get you from place to put every day. Plus – though 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 affords

Need to Journey With Me? Upcoming Biking Excursions

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

Patagonia eBike Small Group Tour

Journey 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 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 keep in mind without end.
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 often do solo — my Capitol-to-Capitol Quest. Be a 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 lovely occasions of 12 months 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
Value: $3550 Max: 12 folks

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

Shiminami Kaido Japan Biking and Journey Tour

Coming November 2027.

Make sure you join my tour publication so you may get the most recent 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 means of Japan’s backstreets, I’m reminded that exploration doesn’t should be epic — it simply must be intentional.

If you happen to’re interested in bike journey, you’re already midway there.

The remainder? You’ll determine one pedal stroke at a time.