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 facet highway” form of traveler. Biking felt… intimidating. Lycra-clad pace demons, infinite hills, and the worry of being that individual slowing everybody down.

Seems, I couldn’t have been extra mistaken.

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

Should you’ve ever thought, “A motorbike tour sounds superb… however how do I even select the proper one?” — that is for you.

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

First, Let’s Handle 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 skilled cyclists chasing climbs and mileage. Others are designed for vacationers who merely need to discover a vacation spot in a different way.

The bottom line is 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 photographs. You cease as a result of there’s a cat sitting in the midst of the highway 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 Greatest?

That is the primary huge choice — and there’s no mistaken reply.

Guided Bike Excursions

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

Guided excursions are improbable 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 mistaken

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 one of the best pastries. They usually know when to let you know, “Don’t fear, this climb seems 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 seems like an journey — however with guardrails.

Self-guided journeys are ideally suited in case you:

• Love flexibility and independence
• Favor using at your individual tempo
• Take pleasure in navigating and selecting your individual 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 Stable Bike Infrastructure

Not all locations are created equal in terms of biking.

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

Different locations… don’t.

When selecting a motorcycle 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 using
• Bike-friendly lodging
• Native tour operators and help companies

A fantastic place to begin is native tourism board web sites — they typically 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 mistaken — they overestimate what they’ll take pleasure in.

Earlier than committing, look carefully at:

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

A 40-mile day on flat terrain feels very completely different than 40 miles with 4,000 toes 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!

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 new cyclists

I’ve utilized ebikes in plenty of locations. Occasions once I knew I wasn’t in form sufficient to take pleasure in myself on an everyday bike, or occasions 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 an alternative 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 provide them, or permit you to swap mid-trip.

And guess what? You’re nonetheless pedaling. You’re nonetheless exterior. 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 a bit 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 accessible?
• Are bikes often serviced?
• In case you are utilizing an e-bike, ask in regards to the battery life.
• Do they carry additional batteries?

Don’t be afraid to name them. A very good firm will fortunately speak 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 want corporations 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

Necessary questions:

• Are you able to carry 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 an enormous distinction.

Perceive Terrain & 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 attenuate it.

Consider Pre-Journey Assist

Nice corporations typically provide:

• 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 Dimension & Information Setup

Ask:

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

This impacts all the things out of your every day enjoyment to how pressured (or relaxed) you are 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 undertaking has pushed me far exterior 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 simply don’t want to begin as an skilled. You simply want to begin.

Bike Tour Corporations & Assets I Personally Advocate

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

Bike Journey within the U.S.

Journey Biking Affiliation

The Journey Biking Affiliation, primarily based 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 impartial 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 time and completely beloved it. They’re consultants in Europe and particularly Italy (the place they began). One among my favourite issues? You’ll be able to trip at your individual tempo as an alternative of staying in a good group. Everybody begins when they need and easily follows the chalk arrows the information lays down. This permits you quite a lot of freedom on a bunch tour!

As well as, they at all times embrace some extra 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 plenty os sheep. I run quite a lot of 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 evening. Your baggage will likely be transferred while you’re 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 help.

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

Need to Experience With Me? Upcoming Biking Excursions

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

Patagonia eBike Small Group Tour

Experience 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 on daily basis nearer to one in every of 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 endlessly.
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 probably the most lovely occasions 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
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 to join my tour e-newsletter so you will get the most recent updates on these customized biking excursions.

A Remaining Thought

One factor I’ve discovered 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 way of Japan’s backstreets, I’m reminded that exploration doesn’t should be epic — it simply must be intentional.

Should you’re inquisitive about bike journey, you’re already midway there.

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