Frequently Asked Questions

Bob Clark founded Bicycle Adventures in 1984 to share his passion for cycling and travel with others. He still leads the company and joins 6 to 10 trips each year to monitor quality and scout new adventures.

When we put our schedule together, "good" weather gets considerable attention. Our tours are scheduled to depart at a time of year that will maximize temperatures that are comfortable for cycling and good weather conditions.

For instance, on our Olympic Peninsula tour we spend most of our time in the Olympic Rain Forest. The Olympic Rain Forest gets most of its 100-plus inches of rain a year between October and May; thus we schedule this trip from late June through August. Conversely, the Bryce-Zion area is often uncomfortably hot July through August, so we offer this tour in the early spring and fall. For further details, please see our Weather Statistics.

This is the kind of planning each of our tours receive, so leave your worries behind and come join us for a fun-filled week of Adventure.

Weather question of the month:

What is the second driest place on the West Coast next to Southern California? Answer this question when you sign up and we will give you $25 off the price of your tour.

Some folks call and want to join the tour that has the most elevation gain. We guide them towards the Volcanoes of Washington tour, Glacier-Banff-Jasper, or the Oregon Crater Lake tour. But for a lot of us, hills can be a concern. Here are some of things you can do and some things to remember:

Before the start of the tour find a hill (preferably steep) and conquer it. The first couple of days you may need to walk up the hill, but if you persevere, you will be reaching the top without getting off the bike. This will build your stamina and -- most importantly -- your self confidence.

Our support van is always available to give you a boost at any time for any reason. I have used it without shame.

Remember this adage: "I have never met a hill I couldn't walk." This was on the T-shirt of three women who traveled with us through the San Juan Islands. It made me smile.

Like you, your fellow travelers will have a spirit for adventure and a willingness to meet others. Groups bond very fast, and you will leave your tour having made several new friends. Often people who meet on a tour return together for another great adventure.

Typically our groups are comprised of 60 percent couples and 40 percent solo travelers. Forty-nine percent males and 51 percent females travel with us each year. We also offer special tours designed solely for families.

Depending on the tour, our maximum group size for inn-to-inn trips ranges from 13 to 18, while camping tours can have up to 23 guests with three guides. We limit a group size for the following reasons: We utilize the van to provide the best cycling routes; we can stay at more interesting inns and B&B in an area; we can eat at the best restaurants available; and you receive personalized attention from your tour guides.

Our tour guides are experts in facilitating a group experience. They will help create an atmosphere that is open, friendly, and fun-filled.

Guests frequently ask us how to "train" for their bicycle tour. We hate that word. This is a vacation, not a race. How you train is going to depend on your tour: Are you climbing mountains on the Volcanoes of Washington tour, or cruising through vineyards in the California Wine Country? Also, what fitness level are you starting from? Are you already biking 60 miles a week, or is your office chair practically a permanent fixture on your body?

For the latter group, and anyone else concerned about being in shape for their trip, we offer some suggestions. Let's be clear: These tips are meant to maximize your enjoyment on your tour; they are not a prerequisite. We encourage guests to ride at their own pace, which means riding as many miles as you choose. We are happy to adjust the day's route to fit your needs. But if you want to ride farther with fewer complaints from your body, we suggest the following:

Get on a bike and ride at least one month before your tour begins. This may seem obvious, but many guests don't do it. They walk, run, swim, rollerblade -- activities that are great for aerobic exercise, but they don't do much for cycling muscles and getting used to the feeling of being on a bike. Start out riding for a half-hour twice a week at a comfortable pace (you decide what that is). Work up to riding for at least one hour three times a week. We realize that may be tough on some people's schedules, but it's what we suggest for maximum trip enjoyment. Stationary bikes are OK only as a last resort; they don't let you practice shifting or keeping control of your bicycle.

Find a hill. If you can conquer one at home, you won't be scared by any you might find on your tour. Practice riding up it several times before your tour -- even if it means stopping a dozen times or walking up the rest of the way. Practice shifting into the granny gear and spinning your pedals instead of pushing them around slowly in a higher gear. Remember, you are allowed to go up hills any way you want. This will help you find what's comfortable for you. And don't forget the downhill! Practicing control of your bike when gravity takes you for a ride also will add to your confidence.

Find comfortable clothing. By getting out there on your bike, you will find what clothing best suits you while riding. Is that sweatshirt too bulky? Would I prefer to invest in some padded cycling shorts? Does my helmet fit properly? Which sunglasses are best for wind protection? Are my shoes appropriate to cycle in?

Take food and water with you. You'd be amazed at how much food and water a body needs while riding. Follow the rule: "Eat before you're hungry, drink before you're thirsty." You'll feel much better during and after your ride.

Again, we emphasize that these are just suggestions. No matter what, you will have fun on a Bicycle Adventure. And our van is always available!

Yes! Here is a quote one of our customers about her first trip: "On the first day (of the tour) I thought, 'What have I gotten myself into?' I had no clue how to use the gears." Mallory not only learned how to use the gears with the assistance and encouragement of her tour guides but by the end of the tour she had decided to do another trip with us. Ten trips later, Mallory is now a veteran of cycling and of Bicycle Adventures.