Bike Tours for Beginners

[bikerchick68]

I used Irondonkey tours to do a 6 day tour of Ireland. I did a self supported ride, which means they handed me a map and said see ya in 6 days! BUT, they have fully supported tours as well... the guy who runs it, Tony, was just awesome. This is very well set up and you stay in bed and breakfast the whole trip. Every AM you leave your luggage at the front door and when you show up at the next B&B it's there waiting for you!

The landscape is rolling with no true climbs. Rides were 35-50 miles per day. One of the best things to me was the fact that they have such loooooong daylight hours. So if you felt like sleeping in, or hanging out til noon, you could. Sunset was around 11pm! Also gave me plenty of time to stop and tour any neat sights, such as Kylemore Abbey and Ballynadich Castle. I used a rental bike, which was much heavier than my bike, but I was in no rush so it didn't matter! And much easier than dragging my bike thru Europe the rest of the time...

you can look at their tours here:

http://irondonkey.com/

[doc]

look up vbt.com, summerfeet.net, bikevermont.com and also adventure cycling and bike america. Have fun. I'm jealous

[Crankin]

I have been on 2 Trek Travel Tours, both intermediate level. They do have beginner trips. The support and guides are awesome. You always have a choice of mileage and the historical/food/accomodations are outstanding. It's not cheap, but worth every penny if you ask me. Backroads is also a good group.

[Veronica]

I've down a mountain bike tour with Western Spirit and Escape Adventures - they also do road tours. Western Spirit has a great site to help you pick a good level for you.

We did a road tour with Easy Rider last year. Also a very good company to work with.

Veronica

[bcipam]

I've done a number of Backroads tours. There are many from very easy to Epic. They are very good about describing their trips and I've been on what I would call an epic trip and fairly newbie riders did those rides as well. They plan for "bailouts" by the newer riders and if there's a big hill coming, give the rider the option to sag. I think Backroads is a first class operation but there are not the cheapest, in fact they are probably one of the most expensive but well worth it . Vermont Touring is good and if you can do Vermont in September, it's great riding.

[Jo-n-NY]

Vermont Touring is good and if you can do Vermont in September, it's great riding.[/QUOTE]

Did the Vermont tour have major hills? This would be for a road biking tour.

Thanks
JoAnn

[Crankin]

The vermont weekend tour I did (Trek) had major hills. I did not do the biggest (Mt. Mansfield) climb because i crashed the day before and i was really sore. In fact, most of the people were beginning riders and were in the van! So, you have options, so matter what.