So I’m thinking this Fall of treating myself to a bike tour of Bryce and Zion. My wife is not into biking so this would be me solo. I’m seeing several companies’ offers on line.
Anyone with any experiences? The two that pop right up are “Bicycle Adventures” and “Backroads”, the latter a few hundred more costly but more mentioned online.
Here’s another, Trek
I have only done one bike trip with a group like this. It was in France and followed the route of the Tour de France. The company I went with, no longer in business, was poorly organised, we had no support while riding. But, because we were following the Tour, we frequently came into contact with other groups. The people with Backroads seemed pretty happy and their support van gave us water on Alpe d’Huez.
In other words, I have heard good things about Backroads.
The Adventure Cycle Association does tours (with various levels of support), but I can’t vouch for them.
REIdoes them too. (The Zion and Bryce trip is very expensive)
Personally, I’ve found local groups that do tours.
I’ve done Tour da U.P. since 2007? (except 2014)
I did Cycle Greater Yellowstone in 2014
I’m doing both this year
Brian
If you like this sort of trip, I would suggest Cycle Oregon.
They do a different route every year. Depending on the popularity of that years route, they can fill up the 2200 spots in 2 days. Super well supported with great food and drinks. You can even pay for a “porter” option which means your tent will be set up with your bags inside when you get to the destination. The year we did it, we averaged 85 or 90 miles a day but, that varies a lot depending on how much climbing is involved.
There are getting to be a lot of these type rides. That is a very good thing.
Thank you for the input!
This time I am going with the Bicycle Adventures one. Turned on the practical. They have a date that works out best (my wife wants me home Labor Day week end to do things as a family and the others run into Jewish holidays, so I’ll go the Aug 27 start one) and the others charge over $500 more for traveling solo while this one does not if you are willing to share a room, which is not a problem for me.
I have considered Cycle Oregon, but a) it is a long drive and b) I prefer smaller tours. Tour da U.P is 50 to 100, and CGY topped off at 350 (it was 400 or 450 in 2014)
Brian
Okay, how much prep should I do for this, especially if I want to be able to take on some of the “avid” options? Do I need to get a few half-centuries or more during these next seven weeks?
I have a pretty good overall fitness base but my cycling is of late limited to my commuting rides of about 12 miles each way (routes that allow being able to push myself on them some) once a week and another day of either 14 or 17 miles total. I also do at least one run a week of at least 5 miles with a stop in the middle where there is a hill that I do a bunch of repeats on and a ledge that I do box jumps onto, and on other days stay in with the elliptical and free weights and sometimes the erg. But I’ve not done any half centuries or more for a couple of years.
I’ve never done a cycling trip before and I’m pretty excited for it.
I would say you need to up your game; significantly, if you want to enjoy this. Your long ride is 24 miles, with an 8-9 hour break in between. Also, you’re not doing back-to-back riding. Currently, you’re muscles have recovery days (plural) between riding. Just be careful about upping too much too fast as that way can bring overuse injuries.
Okay. So today added some mileage on way to work, a bit of a detour, so the way there was about 29, and same 12ish back home. A wee tender in the taint in the shower (yeah TMI, sorry) but otherwise it feels like an easy day’s ride still. When I was regularly doing bigger mileage I never found I needed much recovery between long bike rides, runs yes.
What would you suggest I up my game to? I’d prefer to not give up my occasional run with hill repeats nor my free weight centric days. But I do want to enjoy this trip.
What is the ride like? Should do two days in a row with the same sort of milage as the tour. Though the tour will have a lunch break and probably rest stops.
Brian
Options to do shorter or longer but for the basic choice days vary from 56 miles first day (with 2149 ft incline and 4939 decline, so really mostly downhill), to next day hiking in the morning and the longer afternoon cycle option 36.9 mi 2699 ft up and 2989 down, the rest look to be mostly only 30 to 50. Not race pace.
Yeah I think I’ll fit in two days of 40 plus in a row and maybe a few rides of 50 to 60 plus before the trip but otherwise not deprive myself of my other variety too much.
Thanks.
Looking at the trip, I think you should start shooting for 35 miles 2 days in a row pretty much every week until the trip, especially if you are having taint issues. I would try and be comfortable doing 40 miles 3 days in a row by the week of the trip.
The description looks like it is geared toward comfort not miles. If the group is small it may be everyone waits for the slowest. (maybe). The longer options may be the rides you want to do once you get there so it is good to be able to do that.
Last, it is always better to be comfortable, rather than struggling and not having fun.
Looking at the itinerary a little closer, you should be fine with your training plan.
Your trip looks great. I need to stop doing trips that involve camping.
Hey, you wanna come? I’m doing the 9/3 one (I was the only one signing up for the 8/27 one so they suggested the alternative date; my wife will deal with me not being home for Labor Day) Bike Adventures.
Yes it definitely sounds like they put a higher priority on comfort than challenge. Nice hotels. Even options for e-bikes for those who want. Of course they also have the high end carbon fiber bike upgrade for the dude or dudette that wants to smoke the parks.
Seriously a SDMB cycling trip … why not? There’s enough of us who cycle enough and who are points in life to do it.
If you come I’m the short bald guy with the high-viz helmet! 
Well managed today to get in a ride of a bit over 50 on the heels of yesterday’s a bit over 40 combined. Felt fine and the shower issue a bit less pronounced.
Thanks for the support!
After entertaining the idea for a couple days, I for one, have to say no. My wife says it will interfere with other plans. She is right. I used to be better at coming up with reasons. Have fun!
No need for any reason!
I have only done bike touring (camping) along the west coast (and Tahoe once - ugh), but this type of trip definitely sounds appealing. I am usually on a tight budget, so have not considered this sort of supported tour before. Maybe, someday!
If you want to switch to an unsupported tour sometime, I am pretty familiar with the west coast (Oregon thru central CA). I can tell you there are hundreds of miles of scenic epic-ness out here. There are few bicycle tourists. In fact, most of the people I meet touring along the coast are from elsewhere (Germany, England, Canada, NZ, etc.). There are camps all along the way, and towns every few miles for food and drink (we usually buy food and wine along the way rather than cook). It is an awesome (and cheap) resource and a shame more Americans don’t take advantage.
Anyway, enjoy your trip and please report back here!
A couple of years I did an Imperial Century (177 km, actually) with my biggest single day ride being only 80 km. The next day 50 km back to the car was no big deal.
Just last weekend I did 122 km, 98 km, and 100 km back to back, and I’ve been really lazy this year up until now, with maximum 80 km rides. I’d meant to do 250 km more, but swimming in Lake Michigan with street shorts and sexy underwear and air drying did some TMI things to my ass that cut the trip short.
I think there’s a point that if you can supply energy via carb intake or stored fat, you can ride an unlimited distance. I’m not sure where that point is, though. Other than ass issues and the need for sleep, it doesn’t take a lot of conditioning once you hit a certain point. In my case, I think if I can do 50 km, I can go forever.