What Level Rider Am I?

[indysteel]

The first miles each morning of a multi-day tour are tough, especially if there's climbing, but it's amazing how much better you feel once you warm up!

Have fun! It sounds like you've been bitten hard by the road cycling bug! You will find plenty of fellow "sufferers" on TE!

[eclectic]

MauirockHopper

I don't have anything to add because I have never researched or done a European tour but I wanted to say welcome and DARN I was just on Maui for a week in Oct. Having a local to connect w/ before i went would have been awesome.

how do you like riding on Maui? - we saw a lot of roadies out on Sat and the bike lanes were nice. How is it during high tourist season?

You definately have some hills to train on.

we did the Haleakala downhill (unguided) and it was great but next time I would like trying to ride UP (part way anyway) !

Anyway - welcome to the clan!

[Triskeliongirl]

I think you are thinking about this wrong, its not about what level rider you are, its the degree of difficulty of the tour, and therefore the prep. work required to enjoy it.

[MauiRockHopper]

Ok since this is now a discussion about where I'm headed in Sept, which
Andalusian tour do you think is better?

http://www.bikespain.info/en/t_andalucia_en.asp

or

http://www.iberocycle.com/sa7and1.htm

Also anybody have tips on Barcelona or Northern Spain?

[malkin]

Wow Maui! Those both look like grand rides!!

I do love cities, and had big fun in Granada (long enough ago that it might as well have been in a previous life) so I'd take that one. For someone who prefered villages though, the other one would be the way to go.

On second thought, I could be ready for a village trip in a matter of minutes too. Just depends on what you're in the mood for.

Can you get any idea of the personality of the organization and the other riders they are likely to attract? That will be a big part of your experience.