Touring with a Women's Group

[itself]

Have any of you ever payed to go on an all women bicycle tour? I know there are groups like Backroads, but I was wondering if any of you have any suggestions?

And if you were to pick some place to cycle in the States, where would you go?

I know I would love to cycle someplace like Banff, Canada, where I would e surrounded by mountains, or perhaps in West Virginia, a state that impressed me when we drove cross country when we moved.

Would love to hear about your experiences!

[shootingstar]

Have any of you ever payed to go on an all women bicycle tour? I know there are groups like Backroads, but I was wondering if any of you have any suggestions?

And if you were to pick some place to cycle in the States, where would you go?

I know I would love to cycle someplace like Banff, Canada, where I would e surrounded by mountains, or perhaps in West Virginia, a state that impressed me when we drove cross country when we moved.

Would love to hear about your experiences!

I think there's the rare all-women's tour cycling trips firm somewhere based in the U.S. But maybe others know better than I do.

Yes, the Canadian Rockies would be fabulous in summer or early September. I live in Calgary.

There is the Bow Valley Parkway, parallel to the TransCanada highway which is more quiet but stilll with terrific views. At this time of year, spring there are the odd elk, deer or bear wandering around.

Between Canmore and Banff is a flat 20 km. paved bike path.

The ride between Banff and Lake Louise is lovely and Lake Louise area is great also.

Perhaps CrazyCanuck could comment she is from the area..before living in Aussieland now.

Vancouver and Vancouver Island combined with a (Canadian Gulf Island) Saltspring Island or Galiano Island would be gorgeous Of course, I'm biased I lived there for awhile. You could also the Washington state ferry from vancouver island (Sidney) over to one of the American San Juan Islands.

[Eden]

Hmmmmmm...... I think that if I was going to tour in the US I'd want to do Vermont in the fall - covered bridges, leaf peeping mmmmmmmmmmm.

[KathiCville]

I rode part of the Natchez Trace with a group from WomanTours three years ago. Had a blast. Terrific tour leaders; nice accommodations; good routes; wonderful group of high-enthusiasm fellow riders, but no "hammers." Not inexpensive but I was celebrating my 50th birthday and wanted to do something special.

I'm going to Bhutan with WomanTours next spring on a nine-day tour that will mix in a bit of hiking with biking. Saving my pennies now!

[indysteel]

I've had WomanTours bookmarked for ages but have never taken one. The price of those organized tours always scare me away. The only weeklong tour I've been on is the Bicycle Ride Across Tennessee, which is put on by the state's parks department. It's WAY cheaper than something like Backroads. DH and I are also getting ready to do a supported tour along the Katy Trail.

Anyway, it would be hard to decide where to go. I'd love to tour part of Europe, e.g., France and Italy. Stateside, I'd love to do Montana, Utah, Oregon, Maine, and Vermont. California wine country and parts of Canada would be great, too. But, heck, I'd be happy going just about anywhere, so long as the roads were good and the scenery pretty.

[Catrin]

.....
Anyway, it would be hard to decide where to go. I'd love to tour part of Europe, e.g., France and Italy. Stateside, I'd love to do Montana, Utah, Oregon, Maine, and Vermont. California wine country and parts of Canada would be great, too. But, heck, I'd be happy going just about anywhere, so long as the roads were good and the scenery pretty.

This would be my main problem, outside of the money to pay for such a tour. I am happy riding anywhere there are good roads and nice scenery! I had a friend look at me sideways the other day after she spent some time telling me of all of her European adventures and asked me where I would like to ride - and that was my basic response. I spent much of my youth traveling and I don't have to go to the other side of the world to find pretty places to ride That being said, would love to go to Vermont someday, as well as North Carolina and other places.

Indy - I am really looking forward to hearing about your Katy Trail adventure!

[itself]

Hmmmmmm...... I think that if I was going to tour in the US I'd want to do Vermont in the fall - covered bridges, leaf peeping mmmmmmmmmmm.

Eden,

You must have read my mind...that is exactly the place I would go here in the States!

[gozlin7]

This is an older thread but I'm thinking of this Alaska/Yukon tour WomanTours trip for 2013. I've already signed up for their Around Lake Onario tour for next summer. It'll be my first with them.

Patty

[AnnieBikes]

I have done three long trips with WomanTours and loved every one of them. (Southern Tier, Underground RR, and Northwest Loop) They are worth the money for the food and the housing every night, great maps, cue sheets, and wonderful women! The comaraderie is unmatched on an all women's trip!

Patty, you will love the Lake Ontario trip. I just got back from a self-supported trip around the lake and it was just wonderful. WT knows how to do it right. You won't be sorry. I know several people going on the Moab trip. I am very envious! Not sure which one they are on, though.

I agree that after several tours, it would be much easier to try to do one on your own. That is why my husband and I did the Lake trip with two friends last month. My DH has done several self-supported trips after doing two organized trips and several supported cross state rides. We used Experience Plus for two of our trips (Ireland and Italy)....a bit pricey, but bikes are included (we took our seats and pedals)...but one was our anniversary!

[Crankin]

This is slightly off topic, but I don't think I would like an all women's group tour. I don't know, maybe it's me, but I find groups of women often have all kinds of weird dynamics going on. I have plenty of women friends, but I notice in group social situations, I always seem to be chatting with the guys, and I mean in a peer to peer way, not a flirting way. If I ride in a group, I like it to be mixed.
And I would not want to share my room with a stranger. I am not modest, but I am not in college anymore; no roommates except my DH.
There are all kinds of permutations of tours. DH and I are thinking of doing a semi-supported tour with our new bikes when we get them. Someone to carry our bags, but riding on our own.