By Dr. Kim Perry
This article is meant for you if you like riding bikes but have never been on an organized event, or if you’ve been to an event but never a cycling tour. I’ll explore and discuss what you can expect to see and do on a multiple day bike tour.
The Joys
Riding for a few days and escaping the daily grind is a wonderful way to unwind. Exploring new places and meeting new people expands your horizons. It’s a time to share laughs and memorable experiences with the ones you love, or maybe a new friend. A tour can also be a time to challenge yourself, push your limits in a safe, supportive environment.
Riders in Antietam, 2012
A bike tour can be this and so much more.
Camping
Most bike tours, like Bike Virginia offer camping in a special camping area. Tours usually use 2 or more camps during the tour. At Bike Virginia we are visiting 2 destinations in 2013. We spend 2-3 days in each area. Bike Florida offers another kind of tour, it moves each day with 6-7 camps over the week.
Amenities are provided onsite like showers and portable restrooms, massage, yoga, food vendors, bike vendors, and other services. Some tours camp at facilities like colleges or schools and use indoor spaces for some services. Some tours visit the same area each year. Other tours move to new locations. Bike Virginia moves to new locations each year so our camping locations change each time.
In 2013 we are camping at Glen Maury Park for our first camp. It’s a beautiful riverside park with a swimming pool and lots of green space. Our second camp is Greenfield Recreation Park in Botetourt, near the Roanoke Valley. The site is sure to be a hit, a great venue for campers and for our onsite entertainment.
Camp is a great place.
Assisted or Premium camping services are offered at most tours. Assisted camping can include tent rental and set up, air mattresses, bedding, fans, ice, and other creature comforts. A service like Mayberry’s Sherpa Service is one such company. Cycling Logistics offers other services such as gear transfer and cooler care.
Riders often find great joy in being part of the camp. The camping area can be as social or quiet as you choose. Mingle or look for a quiet spot to read. Most tours base their entire operations around their camp. It’s the center of all the great fun of the event.
Gear Transfer
How does my camping gear or luggage get from one place to another? Gear transfer is commonly handled by the tour. Look into the gear regulations of your tour, most have a cap on the number and weight of bags you can have. At Bike Virginia we will load camping gear bags onto our trucks and take them to the next camp. You’ll be limited to 2 duffel bags with a weight of 50 lbs total. Hotel luggage transfer is provided through an additional service (often for an added fee) offered by most tours. Our service for hotel luggage is offered through Alpine Cycle Connections.
Moving day
Hotels
Some tours offer hotel lodging options. The cost of hotels is typically not included in the tour registration price. Some tours stay in college dorms, this can provide a good low cost alternative to hotels. Tours may provide transportation to the hotel, or you may need to ride your own bike to the hotel from the event headquarters. You may also be able to use cabs or hotel shuttles in some communities. Look at maps and the services your tour offers to pick the right hotel for your preferences.
On Bike Virginia we offer a premium hotel reservation and transportation service. Our travel agency, Alpine Cycle Connections will help match you to lodging that fits your taste and needs. They also coordinate the transfer of your luggage from one hotel to the next and back. You can participate in bus service to the event headquarters from your hotel. This service is booked through with Alpine Cycle as well.
Riding, Days in A Row
On a tour like Bike Virginia you will enjoy riding for several days in a row. Riding for multiple days can be very enjoyable. You get into your groove and forget about the rest of the world. In 2013 you will be able to ride 6 days on our tour. We also offer 1 day and weekend options too. Other tours like Cycle Oregon and Ride the Rockies offer 7 Days of riding.
Some tours have “layover days”, a day of the tour when you can choose not to ride. This depends on whether the tour moves each day or has holding days where they ride a loop and return to the same camp. Look into this before you sign up. Some rides do not provide transportation or layovers for riders that want to take a day off. On the 2013 Bike Virginia Tour we will offer 3 layover days, Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday, the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th day of the 6 day tour.
You’ll be surprised how well your body recovers between days if you eat properly, stay hydrated and get to bed at a decent hour. We have an article about nutrition during the tour on our webpage. Take care of yourself along the way and you’ll be all smiles as the days flow by. Wear sunscreen, it’s one of the most common things riders forget to do!
Enjoying lunch
Pay attention to the little details of your gear. The fit of your bike and quality of your equipment and clothing play into enjoying multiple days. An ill fitting bike that leaves your wrists aching or back painful can get very annoying. And clothing that chafes, does not breathe, or doesn’t fit well can lead to discomfort after long hours in the saddle, so pay careful attention to all the details. Be sure to address any discomforts as soon as possible. Treat blisters or use chamois butter at the first hint of chafed skin.
Look at the overall difficulty and route lengths of any bike tour. The challenge varies greatly with location and event type. Many events offer multiple route choices on a given day. We offer 2 options on most days, a shorter, easier route and a longer, more challenging route. Our longest routes are 100 miles. Usually you can create a combination of rides that give you a week that’s just perfect for your ability and riding preferences.
What to Wear
Clothes for riding are a very personal choice. Don’t feel like you have to have a certain look to fit in on a bike tour. Choose what is comfortable for you. On our tour you’ll see everything.
Riders often like to wear riding specific shirts and shorts because they are comfortable (padded shorts) and they have pockets in all of the right places. If you register early enough for Bike Virginia we’ll give you a commemorative jersey, it could be your first!
Just pack for the weather. Mornings may be cool and afternoons warm. Layers work good. There may be a chance of rain, even just from a passing shower. Bring options. For around camp think casual and comfortable. Flip-flops, t-shirts, and sweatshirts are perfect. Our packing guide can help you get ready.
The gals wearing our Bike Virginia jerseys.
Meeting Other People
Over and over again riders say they come back to our tour because they want to see their “riding friends”. It’s very common to meet people that become lifelong friends on the tour. People of all walks come together to share an enthusiasm for riding and exploration. You’ll find them very welcoming. Don’t be afraid to come alone, it’s the perfect place to ride and share your time with great people. We’ve had several people meet their spouses on Bike Virginia. We’ve even had 3 weddings on the event!
My Spouse/Date/Family Doesn’t Ride
We have lots of people who don’t ride join us on the tour. On most tours there are non-riding activities available during the day. Some of our non-riding guests and other participants that are taking a day off will enjoy shopping, visiting historic sites, kayaking, or other outdoor activities. Other spouses and family members have a great time volunteering.
Should I go?
Definitely give touring a try. I think you’ll be very happy with the experience if you research the event and pick something that’s the right level of challenge and offers the services you want and need.
If you’re not ready to sign on as a rider, consider volunteering for a tour. It’s a great way to be a part of the fun without the pressure of riding. Some tours offer free registration in exchange for volunteering or offer non-rider rates.