Bike Tours

[Elise]

I just started biking in May, in preparation for a bike tour in Italy next week. I love it and wish I had discovered it years ago. I came across this website when I googled "what to do about numb toes when biking." I'm so glad I did; so many great suggestions that I am eager to try. I was wondering if anyone has any tips for me regarding bike tours. It is a catered ride but want to make it as great as possible.

[Thorn]

Italy? Ah, the food! The wine! The views! (color me very jealous).

If I could sum up all my advice in one short sentence--don't over do it on the first day. For example, on one trip, one of the guests was so proud of himself for not using his granny the first day. Personally, I had spent most of the day in the granny, enjoying the climbs. By the third day, we were still riding and Mr. IDontNeedNoTriple was in the bus.

Just enjoy and ride within yourself. One of the more colorful guides I travelled with said, "if it stops being fun, stop". So, enjoy, ride within your capabilities and go and have fun! In Italy there is always a great meal and a glass of wine waiting for you when you're done.

Oh, and welcome...we want a trip report and photos when you get back!

[chicago]

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!! I took an awesome bike tour through Montana-Canada this past July... it was absolutely awesome. The last part of the trip we biked up Going To The Sun road... Glacier National Park... it was so beautiful. It was absolutely my best vacation yet... who would think... 8 days with a bike tour... 7 days on a bike... I loved every minute!!!:D

I am not sure if you are camping or hoteling it... but we camped and what helped me a great deal was:

1) I had an outfit zip locked (you won't need a ziplock bag if you're not camping) for every day. Inside the bag was socks/shorts/jersey/bra. At night, I'd put a new outfit in the tent... wake up... and get dressed before I even exited the tent... worked out great! So if you are hoteling it, having an outfit pre-packaged will not only save you time... but it will insure that you will bring the right amout of biking clothes!!

2) I had a standard routine every morning that I followed when preparing the bike after I exited the tent. This was water bottles filled/air pressure if needed/chamois butter on my shorts/money, etc, etc. What you might want to do is make yourself a little checklist and laminate it. Go through the checklist every morning to make sure you didn't forget anything. I didn't forget anything, but I would have been bummed if I had remembered after the sag vehicle left that I forgot to put a $20.00 in my pocket for fun food on the way:rolleyes: I am big on checklists:D

3) Enjooooooooooooy the ride!! There are so many people who will whiz through... ugggh... I was not one of them. Overall, the week is short, and you will be back home soon and you will wish you treasured every minute on that bike. I took my time... can in almost last every day... but I did not care. Certainly if I wanted to put the "pedal to the medal" I would have finished earlier but why? It's a tour... not a race:D

Well have a wonderful time!! Be sure to give you bike a good look over before you go... chain on okay, new tires, new tubes... bring extra tubes and extra tires!!, and don't forget your pump... bike pump I mean.. they will have a larger pump for you... but you should always carry your own bike pump and spear tube with you!!

Have fun!!

[NbyNW]

A clear vinyl map pocket that clips to your handlebars is a nice thing to have, or a vest pocket where your route info can be in easy reach, in case you are separated from your group.

Pack light. If you overpack, you're going to have to lug all that extra stuff around. If you forget something, you can probably buy what you need.

I'm so jealous and hope you have a great time! Eat lots of yummy food and post pictures when you come back!

[chicago]

A clear vinyl map pocket that clips to your handlebars is a nice thing to have, or a vest pocket where your route info can be in easy reach, in case you are separated from your group.

Pack light. If you overpack, you're going to have to lug all that extra stuff around. If you forget something, you can probably buy what you need.

I'm so jealous and hope you have a great time! Eat lots of yummy food and post pictures when you come back!

oh yeah... and bring zip lock baggies!! If it rains, you want your map to stay dry!:D