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"What Exactly Is Bicycle Tourism?
If you're a dedicated cyclist, you've probably found yourself at a vacation spot, gazing at the breathtaking trails or scenic routes around you, wishing you'd brought your bike along. You're not alone in this sentiment; the tourism industry and numerous popular destinations are making it increasingly appealing to bring your bike on vacation, giving rise to the term "bicycle tourism."
In simple terms, bicycle tourism involves traveling to a destination with the primary goal of cycling. It's a vacation, but with cycling as the central focus. It's also stepping out of your everyday environment, yet doing so by cycling or emphasizing cycling once you arrive at your destination.
However, bicycle tourism is more than just that. It can be as straightforward as loading your truck with camping gear and mountain bikes for a weekend getaway to trails you've been eager to explore. Alternatively, it could involve riding your road bike hundreds of miles between hotels and lodges, with a support vehicle meeting you at checkpoints. You might alternate riding and driving responsibilities with a partner over several days. Bicycle tourism can also mean flying to a major cycling festival in your country, renting a bike, and joining countless group rides. It could even involve attending a trade show in a bustling metropolis, where bike sightings are rare, but you spend your time marveling at handcrafted bicycles with lengthy waiting lists.
The essence of bicycle tourism is broad. Think of it as a vacation with cycling as the core activity. It's a rapidly expanding sector of the tourism market, with many towns and regions leveraging their trails or investing in cycling infrastructure to attract cyclists. Given the wide range of possibilities, it can be challenging to decide where to start or which avenue of bicycle tourism suits you best. There may be a perfect fit for everyone, so we've outlined some of the most popular cycling adventures and what you need to know to enjoy them fully.
Destination Cycling
One of the most common types of bicycle tourism is destination cycling. This involves traveling to a specific location to ride a bike. The destination could be a few hours away by car or plane, either domestically or internationally.
For a more accessible form of destination cycling, consider visiting an area relatively close to your home. These areas might offer an abundance of trails or roads suitable for a weekend of biking. Such trips require minimal planning and time commitment since you'll be traveling with your personal vehicle, and the only concern is arranging lodging.
Mountain bikers often flock to places like Bentonville, Arkansas, known as the "mountain biking capital of the world." Bentonville is one of many cities embracing mountain biking, recognizing the benefits of having easily accessible trails within and around the city. Miles of mountain biking trails can be accessed without driving to a distant trailhead. You can simply step out of your hotel or Airbnb, hop on your mountain bike, and ride to a nearby trailhead. You can be confident that these trails connect to others, forming an extensive network. If you need a break for coffee or lunch, you can easily navigate back to the city via the trails, which are likely not far away. Some areas even have cafes along the way!
For road cyclists eager to explore, consider destinations like Sonoma County in California, where a weekend or even a week of riding through lush vineyards and stunning landscapes can be arranged. Renowned for its natural beauty, diverse landscapes, and world-class wine production, the region has also become a popular road cycling destination with routes catering to all fitness levels. Numerous roadside cafes, markets, and restaurants line the paths, offering endless dining options in the county's towns. Accommodation ranges from RV campgrounds to luxurious resorts, with most locations being cyclist-friendly.
Events and Festivals
Participating in an organized event or festival is the best way to immerse yourself in cycling culture, challenge yourself, and create lasting friendships and memories. Whether you prefer a smaller regional race or an international-scale festival, attending such events can be the highlight of your cycling journey.
Gran fondos, meaning "big ride" in Italian, are mass-participation cycling events that have been popular in Europe for decades and are now gaining similar popularity in the U.S. These road cycling events are enjoyable for several reasons. Gran fondos typically offer participants a choice of route distances, from shorter routes around 30-50 miles to longer distances of 100 miles or more. As these events are widespread across the country, they feature significantly varying terrains and difficulties. Although gran fondos are not traditional races, many include timed sections along the route, allowing participants to push themselves and aim for personal records. Most gran fondos have rest stops with food, water, and mechanical assistance. At the finish line, riders are greeted with a festive atmosphere, celebrations, food, music, and an awards ceremony. Notable gran fondos include the Gran Fondo Hincapie in Greenville, SC, the Mammoth Gran Fondo in Mammoth Lakes, CA, and the Levi’s Gran Fondo in Windsor, CA.
Sedona, Arizona, hosts one of the largest mountain bike festivals of the year, the Sedona Mountain Bike Festival. Such festivals are not only a great way to stay updated on the latest trends in the bike industry, test new products, and try out various bikes, but they also serve as excellent opportunities to meet and ride with new friends. Trails like Mescal/Aerie/Cockscomb and Hangover challenge even the most seasoned riders. Throughout your stay, group rides led by professional riders and bike brand ambassadors depart from the festival. Be sure to check the schedule for these activities. Some of these group rides may even include shuttle rides to areas like Dry Creek or Broken Arrow, where you'll find trails of varying difficulties. If you're not ready to join a group ride, sign up for one of the many skill clinics offered at the festival.
Whistler, in British Columbia, Canada, is among the most visited bike parks globally. Whistler pioneered lift-access bike parks, and ever since, mountain bikers from around the world have flocked to the mountain’s slopes to ride iconic trails like A-Line and Dirt Merchant. This resort also hosts one of the most popular mountain biking events of the year, Crankworx, featuring races and freestyle competitions, attracting professional riders from across the globe. While parts of the mountain may be closed during the event, an expansive trail network surrounds the area. Start your day pedaling some of North America's most spectacular singletrack, then join the crowd to watch the competition unfold. You'll likely encounter many others visiting Whistler that weekend with similar plans.
Organized Tours
If you're seeking the experience of a cycling tour but prefer not to handle the planning, you're in luck. Many organizations relieve you of the stress of planning by handling everything for you. From route planning to accommodation, an organized cycling tour could be just what you're looking for.
Cycling tour companies offer tours both within and outside the United States. Think of them as all-inclusive vacations for cyclists, where everything from route planning to sag support, meals, and lodging is taken care of – all you need to do is show up with your bike. Organized cycling tours vary in duration from 4 to 8 days, with 6 days being the ideal length. Distances range from 25 miles (40 km) to 75 miles (120 km) per day for road tours and 10 miles (16 km) to 25 miles (40 km) for mountain bike tours. Before committing to a tour, conduct thorough research and honestly assess your fitness level.
The Oregon Coast Bike Route is a stunning 360-mile (579 km) cycling route stretching along the entire length of the Oregon coast, from the northern border with Washington to the southern border with California. Known for its breathtaking scenery, charming coastal towns, and bike-friendly infrastructure, this route is offered as a guided tour by several local operators.
Vermont is a popular autumn destination for cyclists who wish to marvel at the state's renowned foliage. The Lake Champlain Valley tour has been named one of the "World's 10 Best Bike Tours," and it's a true inn-to-inn cycling trip through rural farmland and countless historic sites in both Vermont and New York states.
For those with a wanderlust bug, consider venturing outside of North America and booking a bike tour abroad. Experiencing foreign lands from a bike offers an immersion unlike any other kind of tourism, stimulating the senses and allowing riders to be fully present within the experience.
Take a road bike tour from Girona to the Costa Brava ("Girona to the Sea") in Spain to understand why so many European pro riders chose this location as their training base. The route features a stunning mix of coastal roads, inland hills, and winding descents through some of the most picturesque scenery of Costa Brava.
The French Alpes Tour allows riders to ascend the most legendary climbs of the Tour de France. On this tour, riders conquer Col de la Croix de Fer, climb to the top of Alpe d'Huez and Col du Galibier, and finally ascend the stunning Mont Ventoux! Along the way, riders explore charming villages surrounded by the spectacular beauty of the French Alps.
Several tour operators cater specifically to the mountain biking crowd. These companies offer riders a chance to explore some of the most remote, untouched areas like the Sacred Valley in Peru or the Himalaya mountains in Nepal. Days begin with a shuttle to the top, followed by navigating the backcountry, descending thousands of feet. At the end of the day, riders have ample time to explore local villages, savor delicious local cuisine, and immerse themselves in the local culture. Everything is planned for you – the shuttles, trails, food, lodging – all you need is your mountain bike and the skill level to ride advanced trails.
Overnight Bike-Packing
Perhaps Peru, Whistler, or even Bentonville are too much of a commitment. A common way to ease into cycling tourism is an overnight bike-packing trip. Bike-packing is a completely self-sufficient form of cycling, allowing you to experience the wonders of the backcountry from behind your handlebars. You'll venture off the main roads, exploring the land in ways impossible with a car trip. Plus, since you're on a bike, you can cover much more ground than hiking alone. Bike-packing can be done with virtually any off-road capable bike and requires an investment in bike racks and bags for carrying gear.
Plan a route that's a reasonable distance away, such as a campsite at a lake or a nearby river. Your route will likely combine paved roads, forest roads, and singletrack. Plan accordingly and according to your comfort level. You might want to avoid paved roads altogether, which may mean adding several miles of forest roads and trails. In such cases, factor in extra water, snacks, and rest points. Perhaps one of these rest points is at a well or near a stream where you can filter water. Your local bike shop will likely have valuable resources for your adventure and may even assist you in planning. This is also a great place to connect with the bike-packing community. If embarking on your first bike-packing trip seems overwhelming, try doing it with others! There will likely be a cyclist or two on the trip with more experience who can guide you along the way.
Long-Distance Cycling
Eventually, your overnight trips will grow into two-night, then three-night adventures, leading to longer cycling journeys. Your long-distance cycling trips may incorporate many aspects we've already discussed. They might include elements of long-term bike-packing, where you establish a route that takes you in and out of cities to purchase more food or perhaps stay a night at a hotel.
The Sierra Cascades route is a popular multi-day cycling route stretching from Mexico to Canada, following the Sierra and Cascade mountains of the western United States. While tackling the nearly 2,500-mile route may seem daunting, many break the trip into sections. Depending on your available time and desired distance, planning a route through Oregon or Washington on the Sierra Cascades is quite feasible. Of course, careful route planning is essential, considering daily mileage, nightly accommodations, food supplies, resupply points, and more.
Why Should Your Next Vacation Be Centered Around Cycling?
If you're passionate about cycling, you'll likely find that your vacations no longer include just a cycling aspect but are entirely focused on cycling. And why shouldn't they be?! Traveling with a bike, whether by car or airplane, has never been easier. These vacations take you out of big cities and immerse you in the solitude and peace of nature, granting access to incredible areas and views you wouldn't otherwise experience without a bike. They also help you maintain a healthy lifestyle as you focus on cycling. New friendships are likely to form as you'll surely meet other people engaged in the same activity. Depending on how you plan your adventure, something like a long-distance bike-packing trip can significantly reduce your environmental impact, as you're not relying on fossil fuels to get to your destination.
So, how do you get started? First, choose your adventure. Is it an overnight bike-packing trip or an all-inclusive mountain bike adventure in Peru? Next, plan accordingly. This might mean mapping out your daily travel or contacting a cycling tour company that handles everything. Third, ensure you have the right bike. Lastly, engage with the community. Whether it's a trip around the world or a trip to nearby trails, groups of riders have been there and are eager to share their experiences with you.
Considerations
Don't let the thought of your next weekend getaway ruin your plans. Imagine you're traveling with your $6,000 mountain bike securely mounted on a hitch rack you recently purchased. You're just one city away from reaching the mountains, finding the cabin you've rented, and exploring the nearby trails. At the last stoplight, another driver, distracted by their phone and unaware that you're stopped in front of them, crashes into the back of your car. While your car sustains some damage, your mountain bike takes the brunt of the impact. Unfortunately, your mountain bike weekend is over, as your bike is now unrideable.
This scenario would be disappointing for anyone. Adding insult to injury would be discovering that neither your car nor the other driver's insurance covers the damage to your bike. Many car insurance policies only cover items permanently attached to your vehicle, which your bike isn't. So, not only is your weekend ruined, but you may also have to shell out money to replace your mountain bike. However, this issue can be avoided by simply purchasing an insurance policy with Velosurance. If you're in an accident while transporting your bike, Velosurance has you covered, providing peace of mind as you drive to your destination. Velosurance will cover the repair or replacement of your insured bike if it's damaged in a car accident. Adding the optional uninsured motorist coverage ensures your bike remains safe, regardless of the other driver's situation.
We often travel to cycling destinations for races or events. Let's apply the fender-bender scenario to a race situation. If your bike is damaged and you can no longer participate in the race, Velosurance will help cover any non-refundable race entry fees. If you still wish to participate, they will reimburse you for a bike rental of up to $250, ensuring you don't miss out.
Whether you're riding in Bentonville, Napa Valley, or on trails near your home, Velosurance covers your bike if you have a crash that damages it. We often rely heavily on the warranty coverage that comes with our bikes. These warranties may only cover a few years from the original purchase date or extend to the lifetime of your ownership. However, nearly all these warranties only cover manufacturer defects, meaning a crash can leave you responsible for repairing or replacing components or the frame. Warranties don't always hold up, and a denied warranty on a cracked carbon fiber frame could cost you thousands for a replacement. Our bikes aren't the only things affected in a crash. With Velosurance, you have the option to add coverage that helps with medical bill costs if you're injured in a crash. There's also liability coverage if you inadvertently cause an accident, which happens more frequently in busy bike areas than you might think.
Of course, getting to Peru means traveling with your bike to South America. Airlines are infamous for losing luggage, and bikes are no exception. Fortunately, if your bike is covered by Velosurance, it's protected if the airline damages or loses it during your travels. This coverage extends to postal carriers if you ship your bike. Although this coverage is limited to the U.S. and Canada, worldwide coverage can be added reasonably to ensure your bike is protected wherever your adventure takes you."