Organized/supported bike tour suggestions?

[Becky]

DH and I rode Bike Virginia a couple of years ago and had a blast! We'd like to do it again this summer, but DH has a work obligation that's probably going to conflict with Bike Virginia this year

Any suggestions for similar tours that we can consider? Many thanks in advance!

[pll]

If you are willing to travel, I did a trip ("Lochs Galore" in Scotland) with these guys and loved it:

http://www.hookedoncycling.co.uk/

The trip plus the airfare plus renting a road bike was cheaper than most tours in the US. The way it works is that you need a minimum of two people. You are given maps and the company folks move your luggage between bed and breakfasts. I *loved* that: you can go at your own pace, stop to sight see or eat something whenever you feel like it. They can also design longer routes for you (we did ask for 70-90 mile days). PM me if you'd like to see the pictures of that trip. Scotland was lovely, but I think next time I'd do Italy, France or Spain (better food!).

[indysteel]

I've done BRAT, the Bicycle Ride Across Tennessee, a couple of times and would really like to do it again. The name is a misnomer. Each year, the Tennessee Department of the Environment picks an area of Tennessee--Western, Middle or Eastern--and the tour does a big loop. Most of the overnights are in state parks. The tour itself attracts a smaller crowd and, so, it doesn't have the same party atmosphere as some of bike tours--like RAGBRAI. For me, this is a plus, but it may not be what you're looking for. BRAT is always in September. The weather is still typically warm by midday, but mornings and nights can be cool. The support is generally pretty good. The routes are well marked and the meals are plentiful and tasty (assuming they use the same caterer). The roads in Tennessee are generally pretty nice and, of course, depending on the area, are hilly.

ETA: It looks like this year's BRAT starts in Crossville, TN. That's a really pretty part of the state. My guess is that the ride will ride over and around (multiple times?) the Cumberland Plateau, so you're looking at some good climbing. That will be a really great tour. We have plans to go to Maine in September, but boy; I'd really like to do this one.

[Becky]

Indy, from your description, BRAT sounds exactly like what we're looking for!

Thanks for the idea- I'm off to read more about it.

[indysteel]

Awesome, Becky. They typically don't give too many details until spring but let me know if I can answer any questions. Also, if you want a tent And towel service, Bubba's Pampered Pedals does BRAT. I love Bubba; he's a character.

[Grits]

Another one is Cycle NC which picks a different route each year from the mountains to sea. Bubba is there too for the campers. I have only done part of the route, but have friends who do the whole thing every year and love it.

They also do a long weekend spring ride with routes going out from the same start point every day. This year it is in Washington, NC. I did that with some friends last year when it was in Oriental, NC and plan to do it again this year.

http://cnc.ncsports.org/

[indysteel]

I have friends who do CNC each year and love it. How easy sorbet make it to shuttle to/from the start/finish? Logistically, it seems like it could be a hassle.

[Catrin]

Indy, do they shuttle belongings between the different campsites? That is what I envisioned when reading your description.

The 2012 trip sounds awesome, certainly some major climbing if the Plateau is concerned. I am from that neck of the woods - well, not too far on the other side of it

[indysteel]

They shuttle your stuff for you.

ETA: I know of no organized, supported tour in which you have to carry your own gear. That's sort if the point of these rides.

[Becky]

Awesome, Becky. They typically don't give too many details until spring but let me know if I can answer any questions.

The lack of details may be a challenge for us, as I'd hoped to have plans in place in the next month or so. That said, we're keeping BRAT in mind, despite the absence of info and the distance, since it sounds perfect otherwise. Bon Ton Roulet is also on the list of possibilities.

Keep the ideas coming- they're great!

[Catrin]

They shuttle your stuff for you.

ETA: I know of no organized, supported tour in which you have to carry your own gear. That's sort if the point of these rides.

Cool, and that is what I thought but it seemed good to confirm that. Thanks for the info!

[jobob]

They shuttle your stuff for you.

ETA: I know of no organized, supported tour in which you have to carry your own gear. That's sort if the point of these rides.

Well ... Adventure Cycling has their self-contained tours, which are supported -- inasmuch as there are ride leaders, and meals / sleeping accomodations (campgrounds or hotels) are provided -- but you have to carry your own gear.

This is from the Adventure Cycling website:

In keeping with the spirit of Adventure Cycling's origins, on self-contained tours you will carry your own gear and there will be no vehicle support.

Two major distinctions exist in our self-contained tour offerings: Traditional self-contained tours have a single leader and around 14 participants who share cooking duties and camp for the vast majority of overnights (on longer tours, roughly 1 indoor night per 10 riding days is budgeted). On inn-to-inn self-contained trips, riders carry their gear, but there's a lot less of it because participants stay in hotels and eat in restaurants every night (no camping or group cooking gear needs to be carried).

- jobob the contrarian.

[indysteel]

I was aware of Adventure Cycling's offerings when I wrote what I wrote, but I don't know that I would call them supported as I use that term. Maybe semi-supported. But, yes, thank you for pointing this out for others.

[Grits]

I have friends who do CNC each year and love it. How easy sorbet make it to shuttle to/from the start/finish? Logistically, it seems like it could be a hassle.

I only did part of the ride, and we arranged our own transportation, but, yes, unless you arranged something on your own, it would involve getting to the start of the ride in the mountains and then shuttling back there at the end to retrieve your car. They do provide the shuttle.

[Sky King]

I am drooling over Tour de Wyoming this year, gonna put our names in for the lottery. The route will be beautiful!