Today’s Special on the Menu
Open any dictionary to the word ‘adventure,’ and you’re sure to find some of the following definitions:
- an exciting or very unusual experience
- participation in exciting undertakings or enterprises
- to risk or dare; to take a chance
Travel is inherently adventurous. I think that’s a given – unless your idea of adventure is running out of hot water at one of those $500 a night tropical resorts. Not that there is anything wrong with that, to steal a line from Jerry Seinfield. Most of us don’t take vacations – and travel – to experience the same old 9-to-5 routine. We want to participate in unusual experiences, to take a chance on something new, savor different sights and sounds from our normal ‘same-old.’ It’s only the degree of risk – if you want to call it that – we seek that sets us apart in our travels. If you’re looking to break through the ‘Ground Hog Day’ pattern, where you wake up to same routine every day, “Bicycle Touring and Vacation Guide” just might be the answer to your search for the perfect two-wheel adventure.
Some of you have already experienced the benefits and unadulterated joy of an organized tour; maybe a few of you have also experienced the disappointment of a tour that really didn’t match your riding style or vacation objectives. Again, the guide you have in your hands can be a valuable tool in educating yourself about the wide range of possibilities that exist for cycling tours in every corner of this world. Well, o.k., maybe ‘educating’ is a bit of a heavy description for something as entertaining as armchair surfing those places you’ve always wanted to visit on your bike.
It’s a no-win proposition for everyone involved if you sign up for a tour that finds you over your head in terms of daily mileage, fitness level or skill level. Because when you’re not happy at the end of the day, your fellow tour participants aren’t going to be happy. They’ll suffer from the strain you’ll put on the support staff and the less-than-pleasant attitude that will come through loud and clear that this isn’t the right tour for you. While the rest of the group bonds over memorable miles ridden together, you’ll be dreading the remainder of your so-called vacation, and wondering how you could have made such a mistake.
Most tour companies are savvy enough to realize that their business will suffer if too many riders have expectations that aren’t being met or matched appropriately. Any legitimate tour biz will do their best to make sure their offerings are appropriate for a prospective client; even turning away a customer when they determine a particular tour offering isn’t a good match for both of ‘em. Why? Just ask anyone that’s been on a tour with a whiner in the group that is out of their element. This guide is intended as a good start to matching your riding style and needs to an appropriate company that offers what you’re looking for in adventure travel.
I’ve been fortunate to travel solo or in small groups to some of the most exotic and adventurous spots on earth. But I don’t think I would have had acquired the confidence to take on some of these rides if it weren’t for an organized group tour to the Andes of Chile some 25 years ago. After years of competitive racing and four RAAMs, I was looking for some fun and enjoyment from my bike – but I also wanted rides that would offer up a few challenges as well as expanding my cycling horizons. And having recently moved to Eugene, Oregon to be a partner of Burley Design Cooperative, I also wanted to escape the dreary, cold and wet winters of the Willamette Valley. It didn’t take long to figure out that destinations like Chile, Argentina, and New Zealand offered some fantastic ‘summer’ riding options in the middle of our North American winter.
But it was that first organized tour (actually, a low-key mountain bike stage race in Chile on a main ‘highway’ that turned out to be hard-packed dirt) that gave me the confidence to become more adventurous in the years after. At the time, I hadn’t ever traveled internationally, and was quite excited – and apprehensive – at the prospect of getting a passport to new lands. A tour group is a great way to develop confidence in your cycling skills – whether it be visiting exotic locales, improving your fitness, or just ‘hanging out’ with buddies on some new routes. They’re a great safety net if you’re pushing the limits of your previous comfort zones. Maybe you’ve had a desire to experience the exotic but weren’t quite sure how. Or maybe you’ve just lacked the confidence to do it on your own. Most of you reading this also enjoy the ambience and dynamics of a group tour … meeting new folks that share your cycling passions.
I also encourage you to get on the computer or phone to book your next adventure. Think of this guide as a menu offering up a delectable selection of exotic locales and tours to satisfy any two-wheel appetite. Your waiter is just waiting to take your order …
Cheers,
Rob Templin
Second Summer Tours
