View Full Version : Bike Tour or Bike Camp suggestions, please
Bruce K
12-27-2005, 02:53 PM
I have been discussing with my wife the possibility of doing a 7 to 9 day bike tour or camp sometime in late June or mid July.
I have ridden with POMG in Vermont and while that was nice, I am looking for a different part of the country or even Canada or Europe.
Cost IS of some concern, but I know I won't get this done for peanuts either.
All that being said, does anyone have any first hand experience to help with this decision?
(Note: this idea could be supplanted by the Tour de Bozeman 2 if there is going to be one, or a resurrected Tour du Finger Lakes, or some other significant Forum gathering as riding with folks from this "nuthouse" would be way more fun)
BK
I would highly recommend riding in the Canadian Rockies. Such as the area from Banff to Jasper. The roads have Huge shoulders for cyclist, and Huge Mountains surround you. Be aware that you would be visiting during peak tourist months, but it is still do-able.
If you like to get off the main roads, you can do some back roads riding such as from Coleman, BC to Canmore, BC. Canmore put you about 15 mi. from Banff.
This stuff is out my back door, but I get there a lot less than I would like to.
HTH,
JA
I have taken six trips, lasting 7-8 days each, with Colorado Heart Cycle (see their website at heartcycle.org. An all-volunteer organization, Heart Cycle trips are at least half as expensive as the commercial trips. Trips are rated Easy, Intermediate, and Seriously long mileage. Each trip I've been on has two sag vans, provides light breakfast and pig-out lunch. Motel is included; you buy your own dinner unless one or two meals are included in that particular trip. Early in January they'll post the trips for 2006. Membership is $20, $25 for family. Worth looking into.
e-RICHIE
12-27-2005, 04:34 PM
www.cinghiale.com
flydhest
12-27-2005, 04:39 PM
e-richie's post should get cross-listed with the wine thread. Some of Andy Hampsten's camps are in the same area of Tuscany where Davis Phinney and Connie Carpenter do their tours. I was on the latter and met and rode with Andy. You could do no better than either of these tours. The down side is the price. Not cheap. Tuscany near the coast is gorgeous, riding to Bolgheri (of immense wine fame, duly earned) and such is wonderful.
This is how I met Pete and where I got Ben drunk on grappa. :no:
Fixed
12-27-2005, 04:59 PM
bro i.m.h.o. dream trip do what ichiban e-RICHEY -san .. or super flydhest two really smart bros say cheers :beer:
Serotta PETE
12-27-2005, 05:00 PM
I have taken six trips, lasting 7-8 days each, with Colorado Heart Cycle (see their website at heartcycle.org. An all-volunteer organization, Heart Cycle trips are at least half as expensive as the commercial trips. Trips are rated Easy, Intermediate, and Seriously long mileage. Each trip I've been on has two sag vans, provides light breakfast and pig-out lunch. Motel is included; you buy your own dinner unless one or two meals are included in that particular trip. Early in January they'll post the trips for 2006. Membership is $20, $25 for family. Worth looking into.
I have heard nothing but good about these from friends who live in Colorado. I have signed up for the membership.
Serotta PETE
12-27-2005, 05:01 PM
e-richie's post should get cross-listed with the wine thread. Some of Andy Hampsten's camps are in the same area of Tuscany where Davis Phinney and Connie Carpenter do their tours. I was on the latter and met and rode with Andy. You could do no better than either of these tours. The down side is the price. Not cheap. Tuscany near the coast is gorgeous, riding to Bolgheri (of immense wine fame, duly earned) and such is wonderful.
This is how I met Pete and where I got Ben drunk on grappa. :no:
This was an OUTSTANDING time..................
Chief
12-27-2005, 07:12 PM
I have done the Bicycle Tour of Colorado and really enjoyed myself both times. A great way to see the Rockies. http://www.bicycletourcolorado.com
Check out Bike Wisconsin. They hold two fabulous rides during the summer. One, a seven day, 500 mile ride that follows the Wisconsin River from Michigan to Iowa and the other, a five day affair that covers about 350 miles. Both are fully sagged and camping is available as is a list of motels along the route.
Wisconsin is a marvelous place to ride. Roads are good, people are friendly and the local communities enroute do their best to play the role of good hosts. The seven day ride does include some climbing but is well worth the effort.
I'm sure if you contact Richard Schwinn at Waterford, he can be of further help. He remains extremely active in Wisconsin advocacy and in promoting his state to cyclists.
Bradford
12-28-2005, 10:54 AM
Bruce,
I have a couple of suggestions. If you have the cash, try Lauren at Ciclismo, she has a great product. If you are looking the Canadian Rockies, we did a tour on our honeymoon and loved our guy. I can find his name when I get home and let you know. I also recomend Atlantic Canada Cycling, especially their Cape Bretton ride, if you are interested in a bare bones (and inexspensive) option.
I'll give you a call when I get back to RI and give you some details.
June 18-23 this year. My wife and I did it for the first time last year and had a blast. It was well supported and a great route. This year's route will be released on Feb 5, so check the website then (www.ridetherockies.com (http://www.ridetherockies.com)). Acceptance is by lottery, but we got in the first time we applied and so did a friend.
arsegas
12-28-2005, 09:45 PM
If you're considering Europe, I recommend checking out Erickson Cycle Tours (http://www.ecycletours.com). I went on their French Alps tour last year and had the time of my life. I found their routes provided lot of variety with many available route options, the guides were very knowledgeable and pleasant, the accomodations & food decent, the prices extremely fair, not to mention we caught a little bit of the tour! Several others on the trip had been on other Erickson trips (Swiss Alps, Italy, Pyrenees) and had great things to say about those trips as well.
I'm also a big fan of the Canadian Rockies, so I second the earlier Canadian Rockies recommendations as well.
- Eric
TRIRI - Indiana-http://www.triri.org
Moosa Tour, Maine and Lighthouse Tour, Novia Scotia http://www.inmotioneventsbicycletours.com
Bike Virginia - http://www.bikevirginia.org/
I have been on all the above tours. TRIRI is my favorite, I've done the summer ones 4 years in a row and the fall TRIRI once. This year will be northern Indiana, flatter than the rest of the state but lots of lakes and Amish country.
Bike Viriginia has around 2,000 riders, well organized but lots of people. I prefer the smaller rides like TRIRI. TRIRI feeds you on site, no searching for breakfast or dinner.
Beware, if your afraid of heights, like me, Ride the Rockies may not be a good choice. After a year oif living here I'm not sure I'm ready for the mtn passes.
Kathi
Cadence230
12-29-2005, 12:49 PM
The Lon Haldeman and his old lady have this going on: http://www.pactour.com/
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