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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Bicycle Touring The World Looks And Feels Different From The Seat Of A Bike

Rich Landers Outdoors Editor

From the seat of a bicycle, even the most mundane trip can be a refreshing adventure.

The trip to the lake cabin that you’ve made countless times can become an overnight sensation packed with sights, sounds and aromas you never had the chance to experience from the seat of a speeding car.

From the milestone of a short daytrip, the budding bicycle tourist can advance, following dream trips across the state, across the country or throughout the world.

A three-week bicycle tour in Greece was unquestionably the most relaxing and romantic vacation my wife, Meredith, and I have made as a couple. Bicycles gave us the freedom to venture away from the main tourist traps, to see the real Greece at a pace slow enough to absorb the culture.

On the Greek Isles, we could pedal from the ports to secluded beaches. The daily exercises gave us a guiltless appetites to sample the foreign cuisine.

We planned the trip on our own and lived lavishly, it seemed, on $30 a day.

Bikes, you see, are not just for kids. Neither is bicycle touring.

The average income of the 40,000 members of the Missoula-based Adventure Cycling Association is nearly $70,000.

More than 77 percent are college graduates and more than 42 percent have post graduate degrees.

Adventure Cycling, founded 20 years ago as “Bikecentennial” is a clearinghouse of information for any bike tourist.

The organization offers everything from a starter package to the ultimate national tour. That is:

Beginners can choose a six-day introduction to bicycle touring, which includes classroom and on-the-road training based out of Missoula. The $450 fee includes group meals, hostel and camping fees.

Experienced cyclists can opt for group tours of the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail, 4,450 miles in 93 days.

“Americans are taking more shorter duration vacations than they did 15-20 years ago,” said Kevin Condit, Adventure Cycling spokesman. “That shows up in our programs. The five-to-nine-day trips are our most popular. They make it easier to arrange time off from work, and fit family schedules.”

Adventure Cycling specializes in self-contained camping trips. “Some people like the flexibility of not having to follow a strict itinerary,” Condit said. “Camping offers more freedom.”

But Adventure Cycling publications also list nearly 300 bike tour operators offering everything from camping-on-a-budget trips to plush van-supported lodge-to-lodge affairs with hefty price tags.

“People from a vast variety of backgrounds go on bicycle tours,” Condit said. “Some prefer the short, comfortable trips. But it’s surprising to see the type of people joining our TransAmerica trips. It’s not a question of physical ability, but whether you have your mind set on crossing the United States on a bike.”

Some trips, such as the Cycle Montana tour, are group rides with equipment shuttled by vehicle and the option of camping or moteling.

“Some people like the option of ducking into a motel when the weather gets sour,” he said. “This is their vacation. They don’t necessarily want to suffer.”

Adventure Cycling has perhaps the best single source of bicycle touring outfitters around the world. The organization’s “Cyclists Yellow Pages” list nearly 300 outfitters, plus dozens of biking guidebooks, map sources and other information.

“Part of our non-profit mission is to get out the word out about the joys of cycling,” Condit said.

Looking at the long list of outfitters, it’s clear that the fastest growing market is for outfitters catering to mountain bikers.

Many operators are offering both off-road and paved road alternatives. On the medium-high end of the price scale for outfitters is Backcountry (telephone 800-575-1540), an active vacations outfitter based in Bozeman, Mont. Although the company offers trips in eight states and three countries, it is particularly well acquainted with tours in Montana.

“We have an incredible off-road mountain bike tour that’s all single track in the Gallatin Mountains,” said Kathryn Strickland, Backcountry spokeswoman. Guests stay a places such as Chico Hot Springs and a dude ranch on the Gallatin River, and cap each day with fine indoor dining. Because groups sizes are limited to 14, the tours can stay at smaller bed and breakfasts.

The company has nifty catered road-bike trips in Yellowstone and Glacier national parks as well as Crater Lake, Wash. Costs range from $1,100 to $1,500. They even offer bike rentals.

On the other end of the cost spectrum are camping tours led by Spokane Parks and Recreation Department (telephone 625-6200). Summer trips include tours of Yakima Valley wine country, western Montana mountain bike terrain, and Canada’s Gulf Islands. Costs for the group tours range from $149-$429.

Unique among the nation’s tour organizers is the Northwest Bicycle Touring Society (telephone 206-941-5870).

Founded 23 years ago, the group consists of five families who organize inexpensive bike tours and invite the world to come with them.

“Affordable vacations, that’s the basis of why we exist,” said Karen Healy, one of the organizers. “We’re a non-profit, non-revenue generating organization that promotes touring by bicycle.

Most of their tours involve camping, but some include motel options. Trips range from the three-day Orcas Island tour held last weekend to nine-day tours of the Pacific Northwest “that are designed to show people places they’ve never seen on an auto trip,” Healy said.

Each of the five organizing families is responsible for planning each trip. Campgrounds are arranged in advance to accommodate the 50-75 riders that sign up from across the country. In some cases, such as a trip to Yellowstone Park, bus transportation was arranged. Some families have brought infants in trailers. The oldest participant was 83.

Mileages are modest - 30-60 miles a day. Costs are modest, too, ranging from 30 to $300, including expenses such as lodging, camping, ferries, some meals and the ever-present “sag wagon” to haul gear and assist with breakdowns.

For a brochure on the society’s trips this summer, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to NBTS, c/o Dan and Karen Healy, 4612 S 291st St., Auburn, WA 98001-2839.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 2 photos Graphic: Adventure Cycling’s mapped bicycle trail system

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: IF YOU GO Equipment: The core of the bicycle touring experience is a well-built, well-maintained bicycle. Invest in a decent bike before spending money on fancy accessories. Before any tour, give the bike a thorough service, or take it to a reputable bike shop for a tune-up. Accommodations: Camping is the least expensive option, but touring groups often mix a trip with camping, bed and breakfasts, lodges or motels. Food: Carry as little as possible during the day. Plan ahead to eat at restaurants or to buy dinner and breakfast food at the last supermarket before heading toward campsites. Don’t skimp on fluids, though. Carry at least two water bottles and drink plenty. More information: The best clearinghouse for bike touring information is Adventure Cycling, P.O. Box 8308, Missoula, Mont. 59807-8308, telephone (800) 721-8719. Although maps and advice are available to anyone, Adventure Cycling members get discounts and benefits. Membership, $21 for students and $28 for adults, includes discounts on maps, six issues of Adventure Cyclist magazine and The Cyclists’ Yellow Pages, the most comprehensive collection of information on bike touring services available. The Cyclists Yellow Pages lists nearly 300 bike touring outfitters around the world for everything from inexpensive camping trips to full-service upscale van-supported tours. This publication also lists books, clubs and other info. Events: Cycle Montana, Aug. 3-10, van-supported, catered, camping (motel options), 376 miles, maximum 200 participants. Cost: $500. Cascade Peaks, Sept. 1-8, van-supported, catered camping(motel options), 450 miles, maximum 60 participants. Cost: $500. For information on both of the events above, contact Adventure Cycling, (800) 721-8719.

This sidebar appeared with the story: IF YOU GO Equipment: The core of the bicycle touring experience is a well-built, well-maintained bicycle. Invest in a decent bike before spending money on fancy accessories. Before any tour, give the bike a thorough service, or take it to a reputable bike shop for a tune-up. Accommodations: Camping is the least expensive option, but touring groups often mix a trip with camping, bed and breakfasts, lodges or motels. Food: Carry as little as possible during the day. Plan ahead to eat at restaurants or to buy dinner and breakfast food at the last supermarket before heading toward campsites. Don’t skimp on fluids, though. Carry at least two water bottles and drink plenty. More information: The best clearinghouse for bike touring information is Adventure Cycling, P.O. Box 8308, Missoula, Mont. 59807-8308, telephone (800) 721-8719. Although maps and advice are available to anyone, Adventure Cycling members get discounts and benefits. Membership, $21 for students and $28 for adults, includes discounts on maps, six issues of Adventure Cyclist magazine and The Cyclists’ Yellow Pages, the most comprehensive collection of information on bike touring services available. The Cyclists Yellow Pages lists nearly 300 bike touring outfitters around the world for everything from inexpensive camping trips to full-service upscale van-supported tours. This publication also lists books, clubs and other info. Events: Cycle Montana, Aug. 3-10, van-supported, catered, camping (motel options), 376 miles, maximum 200 participants. Cost: $500. Cascade Peaks, Sept. 1-8, van-supported, catered camping(motel options), 450 miles, maximum 60 participants. Cost: $500. For information on both of the events above, contact Adventure Cycling, (800) 721-8719.