Winter doesn’t have to mean hibernation or a break from travel or active vacations. In fact, it’s the perfect time to explore a balmy locale by bicycle, says BikeTours.com. This year, escape winter’s wrath in a warm and inviting cycling destination.
BikeTours.com, which offers more than 450 tours operated by local tour companies in 70 countries worldwide, suggests these seven hot active vacation destinations that offer great cycling, warm weather, unique culture, and charming villages and towns:
Algarve, Portugal
The popular and leisurely Algarve Coastal Route tour spends a week along Portugal’s coast, featuring charming old fishing towns and beautiful beaches. From $860 with daily departures available.
Catalonia, Spain
The 8-night Best of Catalonia Cycle Tour takes you along a converted railway from Ripoli in the Pyrenees to Sant Feliu de Guixols on the Mediterranean Sea. Stunning scenery, pine and cork forests, and bucolic farmlands dot the landscape. From $1,476 for self-guided (private guided tours also available). Daily departures available.
Rajasthan, India
The 10-night Land of the Maharajas tour carries travelers through the princely states of India—along dusty roads, beneath towering camels, and alongside women adorned in brilliant colors. From $2,580 with daily departures available.
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
The 4-night Angkor Wat Experience tours the beautifully haunting and sprawling temple complex in Cambodia and is the perfect add-on tour to any trip in Southeast Asia. It’s also a fantastic main event, boasting one of the most remarkable and impressive sights in all of Asia. Sitting on more than 500 acres, it is truly best seen and experienced by bicycle. From $635 with weekly departures available.
San Jose, Costa Rica
The 9-night Costa Rica Multi-Sport Adventure takes travelers cycling, hiking, zip-lining, sea kayaking, stand-up paddle-boarding and more through its infamously beautiful landscapes. From $1,500 with weekly departures.
Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
The 6-night Yucatan Bike Adventure through the Yucatan Peninsula is the perfect antidote to winter, offering cycling, snorkeling and ziplining in beautiful weather, while staying at luxurious and upscale accommodations each evening. From $1,985. Departures in January, April and October-December, 2016.
South Island, New Zealand
Travelers experience the majesty of Aoraki and Mt. Cook and the sweeping tussocklands of the Mackenzie Basin during the five-day New Zealand Alps to Ocean tour out of Christchurch. The tour features cycling on quiet rural roads through gentle hillsides and flat easy riding on New Zealand’s South Island, the 12th largest island in the world. From $1,191 with departures January-April and October-December, 2016.
(Prices may vary due to currency fluctuations and are valid as of December 11, 2015.)
BikeTours.com represents local tour companies with more than 450 tours in 70 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania and the Americas. A team of tour advisors helps travelers choose, plan, book, and go on the tour of their dreams. Learn more at www.biketours.com.
Registration is now open for Parks & Trails New York’s 18th annual Cycle the Erie Canal 400-mile, eight-day bike tour, an unparalleled opportunity to experience great cycling while taking in the rich history of the legendary canal that helped transform America.
The 2016 tour kicks off in Buffalo on July 10 and arrives in Albany on July 17. This year, the Cycle the Erie Canal tour offers:
2-day and 4-day Options: If you can’t take off a full week, consider joining us for half the tour or for a weekend. With 4-day options from Buffalo to Syracuse and Syracuse to Albany, you’re halfway to becoming an Erie Canalway Trail End-to-Ender. These shorter options are great for children, too.
Return Shuttle: Riders from Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Toronto, and points west will be happy to hear we’ll once again be offering our return shuttle from Albany to Buffalo at the end of the ride. Less driving means more time to discover the Erie Canal, and there is so much to discover.
Erie Canal Trailblazers: Interested in cycling the whole tour for only $100? Become a Cycle the Erie Canal Trailblazer and help PTNY promote the Erie Canalway Trail and bicycle tourism! Registration includes a free Cycle the Erie Canal Trailblazer jersey and guidebook and special recognition on the tour. Learn more.
Last year’s ride had more than 600 riders and was frankly amazing, with all the sights to see and special activities arranged, not to mention to comradery and the adventure of camping out. The trip – superbly organized – really touches on all pistons.
For more information about Cycle the Erie Canal, call Parks & Trails New York at 518-434-1583 or email [email protected]. Also, check out the new Cycle the Erie Canal website to learn more about all the Erie Canalway Trail has to offer.
See our series from the 17th Annual Cycle the Erie bike tour:
Holiday River Expeditions is working with the Clark Planetarium of Salt Lake City on a new “Dark Sky Stargazing” trip series that combines biking and rafting.
Veteran adventure travel company, Holiday River Expeditions clusters spokes with stars and river canyons with constellations in a new “Dark Sky Stargazing” trip series for 2016, in cooperation with Salt Lake City’s Clark Planetarium.
The Dark Sky Stargazing series includes both mountain biking and whitewater rafting programs with a night-time focus expected to include Saturn, the Milky Way, Whirlpool and Sombrero galaxies, Hercules Globular Cluster, iridium flares and Earth-born satellites.
“Each night on these bike and river trips we will attempt to find and identify stars, constellations, planets, galaxies, nebulas, clusters and satellites. More importantly, we’ll use those objects to talk about the structure of our galaxy, the origin and future of the universe, our place in the cosmos,” says Tom Beckett, board chair of Clark Planetarium and part-time guide for Holiday River Expeditions. “Much of Earth is losing its dark night skies to light pollution and many Americans never have a chance to see the Milky Way. However, the rivers we run, and the trails we bike are all desolate and have some of the darkest night skies on the planet.”
The series begins in early May and runs through early October. Each trip takes place during the “New Moon” phase for the darkest sky. Three of four trips are in Canyonlands National Park designated as a gold-tier “dark sky” park. A Clark Planetarium representative will accompany each trip. Guests camp under the stars. Trail and river-side meals have garnered rave reviews.
The new trip series includes:
White Rim Trail Mountain Biking in Canyonlands National Park explores Canyonlands NP, recently certified as a “Dark Sky Park” by the International Dark Sky Association. Luminaries to be revealed include the Milky Way and the Andromeda Galaxy, among others. While looking up, guests will stand 1,000 feet above the confluence of the Green and Colorado rivers. The group meets up at Holiday River Expeditions headquarters in Green River, UT. A two-hour van ride to the head of the Shafer Trail marks the start of the trip. After that it’s pedal power on some of the most technically challenging mountain bike trails in the country. A telescope accompanies the guests. Scheduled trips are May 7-9 and Oct. 1-4 and the per person rate is from $750.
Green River through Lodore Canyon in Dinosaur National Monument is a July 5-8 river rafting departure through a protected region recognized by the National Park Service as a “Sanctuary of Natural Darkness.” This trip connects to ghosts of river-runners and canyon dwellers of the past while escaping into deep-red cliffs and exhilarating whitewater. With binoculars and the naked eye guests explore the Milky Way, see the Andromeda Galaxy, watch satellites and meteors, and learn the constellations. The per person rate is from $935.
Colorado River through Cataract Canyon in Canyonlands National Park is an Aug. 1-6 departure cradled in Canyonlands National Park. Again the Andromeda Galaxy, satellites and meteors take center stage at night. Days are spent luxuriating in the sunshine, exploring ancient side-canyons (many with rock art and ruins) and facing some of the biggest whitewater in North America. The per person rate is from $1,175.
“It’s a natural partnership,” says Beckett. “Clark Planetarium’s mission is to teach science and astronomy. Holiday’s mission is to take people into the wilderness and teach them about the natural world. Working together, Holiday and Clark can offer multi-night star parties in the wilderness, where the night skies are darkest and the daytime scenery is simply out of this world.”
Clark Planetarium, in Salt Lake City, is one of the world’s leading centers for space and science education. Clark Planetarium’s mission is to create and present stimulating educational programs that effectively share astronomy and space exploration information with Salt Lake County residents, Utah students, educators and families, and visitors from around the country and the world. For more information visit www.clarkplanetarium.org
Holiday River Expeditions (http://www.bikeraft.com/) began in 1966, when Dee Holladay and his wife Sue took the plunge to become river outfitters. Due to its respect for the lands, rivers, guests and employees, the family-owned-and-operated company has grown exponentially. Each of its guides is professionally trained in first aid and river safety, and with 50 years of experience, the company provides guests the opportunity to explore the nation’s wild lands safely and securely. Holiday River Expeditions has a commitment to protect the environment through education and conservation, and as such, uses oar-powered and paddle rafts exclusively.
o The Conrad Indianapolis has a fleet of Conrad Cruisers available for guests to use complimentary during their stay.
Biking can be a marvelous activity to enhance a stay at a hotel or resort, to let you get out and explore the destination. Hilton Hotels are highlighting some of the bike rentals and tours available at their properties:
Hilton Burlington Vermont
Located on a wonderful bike trail that runs along Lake Champlain, the hotel holds 25 bikes that are free for guests to sign out with our Bell Staff. The hotel has covered bike parking with a built in repair station with pumps and tools. Not too far from the hotel there is a bike ferry that can take guests across the lake to continue your exploration. Photo
Casa Marina, A Waldorf Astoria Resortand The Reach, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
The Key Lime Bike Tour, bookable through the resort’s concierge, is a recommended guided bike tour of Key West to learn the history of the island. The tour visits top destinations like Ernest Hemingway’s House, Mallory Square, Key West’s Historic Seaport, the Famous Key West Cemetery and the Southernmost point of the United States. Guided tours cost $39 per person which includes a bicycle and helmet, a bottle of water at departure, a stop at the Key West Lime Pie company for a slice of Key Lime Pie. Photo
Hilton Bogotá
Every Sunday from 8:30am to 2:00pm, the hotel offers guests to join a local Sunday tradition. Every Sunday, locals and tourists take to the “Ciclovía,” or cycleway, when certain streets close for automobiles and exclusively open for cyclists and pedestrians. During these hours, guests can enjoy 120 Km of cycleway across the city.
Conrad Centennial Singapore
Cycle @ Conrad is a complimentary unique fitness program for all hotel guests by the Conrad Centennial Singapore. In house guests are invited to join for a ride around town during pre-dawn hours on recommended and customizable routes (around 20-30km) starting from and ending at the hotel. The guide for the trip would be any team member who is passionate about cycling. Photo
Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam
The Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam offers complimentary bikes, on a first come first serve basis, which have to be returned before 10pm. The hotel can also arrange private guides to show guests the highlights of Amsterdam, Broek in Waterland or down along the Amstel to Oudekerk.
Grand Wailea
Grand Wailea guests can borrow one of 12 adult road bikes at the property and head out for an island adventure. Take a ride down La Perouse Bay, named for the French explorer, and the site of Maui’s most recent volcanic activity formed 900,000 years ago. Located at the valet desk in front of the hotel, bikes are available first-come, first-served daily from sunup to sundown.
Trianon Palace Versailles
Discover the Palace of Versailles by bicycle going down the Grand Canal to the Domaine of Marie-Antoinette, the Grand and the Petit Trianon, cycling through groves and hundred years old trees. Guests can pay for guided bike tours throughout the park of the Palace on weekends and public holidays. Photo
Boca Raton Resort & Club
Guests staying at Boca Raton Resort & Club are able to enjoy the coastal views of the Atlantic Ocean, Intracoastal Waterway, and historic Mizner Village with the ease and breeze of its four neighboring bicycle routes. From 6 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. guests can rent bicycles from the resort’s Health Club and cycle at their own leisure around the resort’s 356 acres, or along any of the four designated bicycle routes ranging from one to eight miles long. The Youth Friendly route is 1-1.5 miles long and stretches along the Intracoastal Waterway, providing a scenic, short and sweet rides even the youngest cyclists will enjoy. Bicycles costs $15 per person per hour and have no age restrictions.
Conrad Indianapolis
The Conrad Indianapolis has a fleet of Conrad Cruisers available for guests to use complimentary during their stay. Located just outside the Conrad’s front doors is the renowned Indianapolis Cultural Trail, an 8-mile urban bike trail that connects all six of Indy’s vibrant cultural districts. Flanked with public art installations, the Cultural Trail is the best way for guests to explore the city. Photo
Hilton San Diego Resort & Spa
Hilton San Diego Resort & Spa offers multiple ways for guests to bike around the city. At our on-site sport rental outlet, Action Sport Rentals, guests can rent beach cruisers, kid’s bikes, surreys and more and enjoy 28 miles of Mission Bay’s beautiful boardwalk. The resort also works with city-wide DecoBike, a company that provides bicycle sharing services. There is a DecoBike station in front of the resort where anyone is welcome to rent bikes and take a cruise around the city. Photo
BikeToursDirect is offering a safari of Namibia by bicycle and train to learn first-hand about “the greatest wildlife recovery story ever told.”
Travelers will soon be able to see Namibia’s leading conservation efforts and diverse wildlife from two unique perches—the saddle of a bike and the comfort of their private chartered train, the Desert Express. On this Namibia Bike and Train Tour, offered through BikeToursDirect, based in Chattanooga, TN, they’ll also learn first-hand from conservation leaders why the World Wildlife Fund has called Namibia “the greatest wildlife recovery story ever told.”
During the 12-night tour, which departs August 11, 2015, from Nambia’s capital city of Windhoek, travelers will experience the country’s vast beauty while enjoying the highest standards of comfort and service. They will visit the Fish River Canyon (Africa’s longest), traverse the apricot colored dunes of the Namib Desert, and have the chance to see mountain zebras and desert elephants, along with giraffes, rhinos and lions.
“It’s probably the most impressive and memorable setting I’ve cycled in,” says Jim Johnson, president of BikeToursDirect. He recently biked in some of the same areas this tour explores: “The landscapes were breathtaking: vast deserts with some of the tallest sand dunes in the world, remote coastlines, and deep chasms offset by towering mountains.
“And this tour will transcend even that amazing experience. You’ll get to see Namibia’s unique landscapes and extensive wildlife from the unique vantage points of bicycle and train, and it’s a rare opportunity to spend time with many of the individuals responsible for making the country such a conservation success story. It will be the trip of a lifetime.”
After cycling each day, tour participants sleep on the train or in scenic lodges along the route. The train travels the longer distances during the night, making it possible to see more of the country and allowing plenty of time during the day for bike trips.
Two knowledgeable guides accompany the participants aboard the train and on each day’s easy rides, which average less than 25 miles/40 km per day, and a support vehicle is always nearby to shorten the riding or give a helping hand. Participants may also choose to stay aboard the train, a great option for non-cycling companions who sign up for the tour.
Throughout the tour visit, participants will meet many key players behind Namibia’s conservation success story, including John Kasaona, a leader in the drive to reinvent conservation in Namibia by turning former poachers into protectors of endangered species.
Participants will also hear how tourism has made the country’s conservation success possible by generating sustainable income for local communities—and why their travel here helps improve the lives of the nation’s people and save the lives of its wildlife.
The Desert Express holds a maximum of 48 guests in 24 compartments, each accommodating up to three passengers. Each compartment is fully air-conditioned and heated and has a private bathroom. Passengers can also relax in an elegant lounge, a unique bistro bar and a spacious restaurant that will serve the best in Namibian cuisine. Expansive windows throughout the train help travelers experience the full Namibian views.
Namibia was the first African country to incorporate protection of the environment into its constitution, and the government gave people living in communal areas the opportunity to manage their natural resources through the creation of communal conservancies. These conservancies – as well as governments, nonprofit organizations and other entities – have restored populations of lions, cheetahs, black rhinos, zebras and other native wildlife to the world’s richest dry land. Through initiatives such as ecotourism, restoration has generated sustainable income for their communities.
BikeToursDirect serves as a central resource for bicycle tours worldwide, representing 125 tour companies with over 500 tours in 71 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and the Americas. BikeToursDirect offers a variety of resources to help travelers search for and choose tours and handles the entire booking and payment process. Learn more at http://www.biketours.com.
Bicycle vacation specialist Pure Adventures has just introduced ‘Supported, Self-Directed’ adventures, that lets guests enjoy the freedom of a self-guided/independent trip with the support of a guided tour.
Bicycle vacation specialist Pure Adventures has just introduced ‘Supported, Self-Directed’ adventures, a new concept in cycling vacations that lets guests enjoy the freedom of a self-guided/independent trip with the sag wagon service and trip leader support of a fully guided tour.
“This supported self-directed concept allows independent cyclists to ride and explore remote destinations where roadside assistance or local services may not exist, essentially creating their own ride complete with all the support needed,” says Loren Siekman, Pure Adventures founder/owner. “The support van and trip leader assigned to transfer guest luggage from one overnight stop to the next also assist with ‘sag’ stops along the route (every 20-25 miles), provide a lift for shorter ride options, help with mechanical matters, and handle any on-road emergencies or questions.
Supported self-directed itineraries require that a minimum of six people sign up for the same fixed departure date and program. However if six friends or family members sign up, then they can choose their own exclusive departure date.
“Even though six or more clients are traveling more or less on the same route, they are under no obligation to fraternize and for all intents and purposes may remain as independent of one another as they like. The only common denominators are that their luggage is in the same van and they’re most probably staying at the same inns,” Siekman said.
Pure Adventure manages all logistics, makes all reservations, and provides all vehicles, trip support leaders, as well as high end bike rentals.
“It’s a perfect middle ground between fully guided and independent/self-guided at a price point more closely resembling a self-guided trip.”
The advantages of supported self-directed travel include lower trip rates, no appointed meal and departure times and the freedom to sightsee at leisure. Riders can tap into the expertise of the company’s leader who knows bike mechanics, supplies fresh water and healthy snacks, advises on caution stops, suggests things to see and do and provides transport to guest-selected restaurants.
“In this format, we may suggest but are not organizing group activities such as museum visits or wine tastings often included in a fully guided trip. And though trip distances on these programs tend to be longer than most of the self-guided trips we offer, shorter ride options exist thanks to this Sag support. It is the perfect option for couples of different abilities,” said Siekman.
New for 2015, Pure Adventures’ Supported Self Directed itineraries include: Death Valley, Bryce & Zion National Parks, Epic Climbs of Arizona, Yosemite to San Francisco and several more County Kerry & Cork in Ireland. Coming later in 2015 will be new and challenging trans-Pyrenees and trans-Alps trips plus other long distance rides with less mountain climbing demands.
Portugal Nature Trails is providing support for a 1000 km self-guided epic bike tour from Madrid to Lisbon.
The rewards are abundant for those willing to work their two legs to power two wheels between two European capitals on a 1000km Portugal Nature Trails bicycle tour. Featured are two countries, two capitals, 15 major mountains, six days of mountainous riding and two along the sea.
The per person, double, rate is 1499€ for this self-guided Madrid-Lisbon Road Bike tour that concludes with a two-day respite on the Atlantic. For 10 days and nine nights departing July 11, 2015, history, culture and unsurpassed scenery combine with the highs of slow living on the road.
Included in the rate are:
An over 1000 km fully vehicle supported tour
GPS tracking for navigation
Accommodation in quality hotels and inns
All meals (dinner, buffet lunch en route and breakfast)
Luggage transfers
Transfers from and to the airport (Madrid and Lisbon)
Mechanical assistance for bikes
Participants are welcome to bring their own bike or rent a Carbon bike for 200€. Bikes are not included in the tour price. Cyclists will average 128km per day. Approximately half the route is in Spain; the other half traverses Portugal’s schist (metamorphic rock) mountains.
This epic bicycle tour was designed to meet expectations of modern travelers who have taken to the bike as a way to travel slowly, at a pedal pace through a country and its culture. Guests will follow a mountain route said to be one of Europe’s most beautiful yet challenging. For details see: http://www.portugalnaturetrails.com/madrid-lisbon-road-bike/4587497218
NOTE ON UPCOMING MOUNTAIN BIKE VERSION: Portugal Nature Tours is also offering a fat tire version of the Madrid to Lisbon ride. Madrid Lisbon MTBike, June 13-27, 2015 is one of the biggest mountain biking adventures in Europe. The 17 day / 16 night fully guided tour is priced at 2750€ per person, double. See: http://www.bikemadridlisbon.com/#/mtb/4586591908
Portugal Nature Trails is a premier adventure travel tour company offering guided and self-guided walking, hiking and cycling tours. Guided tours feature the expertise of local guides. All of the tours, guided or not, feature handcrafted itineraries, authentic cuisine, accommodations reflecting locale and an in-depth introduction to local culture. Customized Adventures designed for personalized small-group travel are available
Here’s a sneak peek of what’s in store for bicycle enthusiasts in 2015 from trail blazing Bicycle Adventures http://bicycleadventures.com/, a Pacific Northwest-based active travel company known for its two-wheel tours in North America, Hawaii’s Big Island and New Zealand.
The company is introducing one new Epic Tour, one Classic and three “Frugal Tours”, a new trip category, as well as international trips to northern Spain and Taiwan. It will also extend its season 2014 popular Lewis & Clark Series with Parts 3 and 4. And back by popular demand is Methow Valley Cross-Country Ski Tour in Washington.
New Epic and Classic Tours for 2015:
Prairies to Pines Epic – Oregon: Ride from Bend, OR, north and east through the Painted Hills, John Day Fossil Beds, Strawberry Mountain Wilderness, Wallowa Lake, Eagle Cap Wilderness, Hell’s Canyon and Central Idaho’s high pastures. If the geologically diverse terrain doesn’t steal hearts, the roads will. Departures are June 20 and July 5 for nine days at $3,595 per person double. http://bicycleadventures.com/destinations/oregon-bike-tours/Prairies-to-Pines-Epic—NEW!
Palm Desert Classic – California: Ride through Joshua Tree National Park’s realm of desert flowers and golden rock outcroppings. Explore the Coachella Valley. Lounge by the pool under a palm tree. Here the winter blahs disappear with 354 days of sunshine per year. Departures are Mar. 16 and 23, and Oct. 19 and 26 for five days at $2,795 per person double. http://bicycleadventures.com/destinations/california-bike-tours/Palm-Desert-Classic—NEW!
Epic Tours promise rides of minimally 70 miles a day through phenomenal scenery, plus deluxe dining and lodging. “These tours are designed for avid cyclists who like nothing better than to ride 100 miles/day through spell-binding landscapes, with plenty of surprises, challenges and climbing,” said Todd Starnes,” Bicycle Adventures Founder/CEO. Classic Tours are designed for more casual riders who like the sound of “35-ish miles/day”, plus hiking, shopping and soaking up the sun.
New “Frugal” (money saver) Tours for 2015:
Bend, Oregon Frugal: Otherwise known as ‘Bend on a Budget’, this tour of Oregon’s adventure capital includes riding on velvet-smooth roads, time playing in the resort area of Sunriver and fantastic rides nearby, including Smith Rock and McKenzie Pass. Departures are July 5 and Aug. 2 for six days at $2,225 per person double. http://bicycleadventures.com/tours/frugal-bike-tours/Bend-Frugal—NEW!
Sun Valley, Idaho Frugal: Ride curving roads beside wild rivers. Golf, hike, river raft, shop – even taste wines and fly fish. Explore majestic, beautiful Southern Idaho, from cowboy country to Sun Valley’s bling – at a price that won’t break the bank. Departures are July 19 and 26 for six days at $2,195 per person double. http://bicycleadventures.com/tours/frugal-bike-tours/Sun-Valley-Frugal—NEW!
San Juan Islands Frugal: Stay the entire time at the rustic Wayfarer Inn in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. Feast on delightful offerings prepared by expert guide-chefs. Ride pristine island roads. Watch for whales and explore island secrets from lavender farms to artists’ haunts. Departures are June 14, July 19, August 16, September 13 for six days at $2,225 per person double. http://bicycleadventures.com/tours/frugal-bike-tours/San-Juan-Islands-Frugal—NEW!
New International Tours for 2015:
Camino de Santiago, Spain: Guests ride through Basque country pedaling the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, from the wine-rich region of Rioja, to the Spanish Pyrenees in the shadow of the French border and onward to the wide-open plains of Castilla Leon and Galicia’s mountains and forests. The tour ends with the awe-inspiring sight of the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela. Departures are May 2 and 17 for this 14-day trip at $4,450 per person double. http://bicycleadventures.com/destinations/spain-bike-tours/Camino-de-Santiago—NEW!
Island of Taiwan: This island nation offers a unique and safe cycling experience that begins with a high-speed train ride from Taipei at the north end of the island to Kaohsiung City in the south for the start of the tour. Along the way guests challenge themselves with one of the most famous climbs in the world, into the mountains of Taroko National Park and back down again. There are stops at the National Palace Museum, an aboriginal village and night markets, national parks and of course along the coast that rivals Big Sur. New and experienced cyclists can enjoy this 11-day trip with departures Oct. 24 and Nov. 7. The per person double rate is $3,945.
Methow Valley Cross-Country Ski Tour is a six-day program beginning Feb. 8 and Feb. 22 that engages people who want to learn to cross-country ski or skate-ski or just simply hone their skills. These tours are led by seasoned Bicycle Adventures guides and cross-country ski experts Teri Smith and Laurie Stephens. The per person double rate is $2,499. http://bicycleadventures.com/destinations/washington-bike-tours/Methow-Cross-Country-Ski-Tour—NEW!
Lewis & Clark (Parts 3 & 4) continue Bicycle Adventures’ Lewis & Clark Series into the Dakotas and near the Canadian border, then west again into Montana. The per person double rate for seven days is $2,675 and for six days $2,195. Departure dates are Aug. 30 for Part 3 and Sept. 7 for Part 4.
For more information, 2014 and 2015 availability and reservations contact Bicycle Adventures by phone: 800.443.6060, email: [email protected] or visit online at: http://bicycleadventures.com/. For more travel features, visit:
Biking is a great way to travel with minimal impact on climate. Now, an organization called Climate Ride, is arranging multi-day biking trips that raise money and awareness to support sustainability, active transportation, and environmental causes.
Climate Ride produces charitable multi-day rides, hikes and a DIY program: Climate Ride NYC-DC, Climate Ride California, Climate Ride Midwest, Climate Hike and Independent Challenges.
Proceeds from the events benefit a collection of environmental and active transportation non-profits. Participants can choose to direct grants to the non-profit of their choice. (Learn more about beneficiaries and read common questions asked by participants in the FAQ.)
Here are some of the cyling trips still to come this year:
The ride begins in the heart of New York City to the tip of Manhattan where a ferry that will carry us off the island and across New York Harbor to New Jersey. From there we travel along country roads passing through Princeton, near valley Forge, into Pennsylvania Amish Country, crossing the Susquehanna River into Maryland Horse Country. After a day of pedaling past farms and silos, we reach Maryland horse country. On the fifth day, riders cycle past the iconic Washington Monument to arrive at the U.S. Capitol. A highlight of the ride is that Climate Ride arranges appointments for every rider to personally meet with her/his Congressional representative. It makes a big impression to pedal 300 miles to meet your Member of Congress.
The Midwest ride spans three states and connects two vibrant cities, while exploring some of the best biking in the country. From the trip start in Grand Rapids, Michigan, we ride past historic lighthouses, blueberry farms, and quaint artist villages. We’ll also visit Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore before pedaling on paved rail-trails to a bicycle path on Lake Michigan that affords stunning views of Chicago’s dramatic skyline. The last 6-mile stretch leads up to Grant Park – know as “Chicago’s Front Yard” – for the ride finale.
On Climate Hike Glacier National Park, spend five days hiking the iconic trails on the ‘Crown of the Continent’. Witness majestic 500-year old cedar forests under threat of wildfires and glaciers in fast retreat. Over five days of hiking, participants build up stamina for an epic 15-mile journey across the park — traversing aretes and high alpine mountain passes. Professional Glacier Guides each day teach about Glacier’s unique ecosystem, so participants can bring this knowledge home to their communities.
Climate Ride California Wine Country, which took place in May, is likely to be repeated next year. The California Wine Country ride begins in San Francisco where we ride across the scenic Golden Gate Bridge to Marin County. From there we travel through quaint Marin cities and the bucolic Nicasio Valley before turning East toward Petaluma. Riders pedal north from here through pastures and rolling hills into Sonoma County for a picnic lunch right on the Russian River near Healdsburg. Continuing on, the scenic Alexander Valley wine growing region awaits before pedaling up the final hill to the top of the famed Napa Valley, considered some of the best cycling in the US. The final day is an exciting ride across California’s Central Valley, with a stop into bike-friendly Davis and the US Bicycling Hall of Fame, to the Golden State’s Capitol in Sacramento.
The Speaker Series
The Expert Speaker Series: Each evening of the rides, expert speakers educate and inspire participants about sustainability, climate, the green economy, and active transportation. “Our participants and the communities we pass through learn that our government, businesses, and each individual American will benefit from a cleaner, healthier planet. This is a unique event — a fundraiser and green conference on wheels.” Learn more about our speakers here.
Advocacy Meetings with Congressmembers
On Climate Ride NYC-DC, riders will have a chance to meet with Congress. The Climate Ride staff schedules hundreds of appointments for riders to meet in person with their senators and representatives when they arrive by bike in Washington DC at the end of Climate Ride NYC-DC.
“Climate Ride is a non-partisan organization and we do not endorse any particular candidates, politicians, or legislation. We’re helping to create a grassroots force of ‘people-powered’ advocates. Participants say this is one of the most powerful parts of the Climate Ride experience – pedaling your bike right to the US Capitol to advocate for change.”
Can’t make it to Climate Ride this year? Have an idea for a great event that you want to create yourself? Or are you already participating in an event that you want to connect to a cause? Climate Ride has created an Independent Challenge program as a way to raise money and awareness of your favorite Climate Ride beneficiaries, no matter what the event. Events might include rides, swims, runs, hikes, weddings, birthdays, memorials, dinner parties.
Climate Ride was created by Geraldine Carter and Caeli Quinn in 2008. A year later Blake Holiday joined as Ride Director. Together, they have a combined experience of more than 25 years of professional, high-end bike trip leading and development. Their expertise ranges from custom trips in far-flung locales to large-scale charitable events. The three have put together a volunteer staff of professional trip leaders and guides.
“We engage in the Climate Ride events to support a collection of beneficiary organizations that are working to engage citizens in the possibility of a green economy, educate the public about the interconnected web of environmental issues related to the climate crisis, mobilize government and businesses to enact sound energy policies that promote renewables, and raise the profile of green transportation. Your fundraising helps these beneficiaries continue to provide the critical services and education needed to address sustainability and active transportation issues. Right now, your fundraising and your effort to raise awareness are more critical than ever.
“We can create communities with cleaner air, where we ride bikes, drive efficient cars and live and work in energy-saving, healthy buildings. If you demand it, our legislators and business community will promote clean energy and smarter transportation systems. By joining the Climate Ride events, you can take a step in this direction.
“So ditch your car and join us for a few days of human powered activity—all for a good cause!”
Pedal back in time in the deserts of Jordan (photo credit: Exodus Travel)
by Karen Rubin
Travel and tourism has been a boon to communities and cultures around the planet. For example, abandoned factories have been turned into art studios and hotels, providing a new base to support jobs and local economy instead of families having to migrate to find new sources of income. That means the culture and heritage stays intact, and the community has more of an incentive to preserve natural splendors as well.
Over the past couple of decades, as technology and globalization, economic recessions have caused such dramatic impacts on communities, there has also been a quietly growing interest in people traveling to see places before they literally disappear, and to have “authentic” experiences, engaging with local people and the ecology.
And this has given rise to companies that offer “ecotourism,” “green travel,” “sustainable travel” and “responsible travel.”
It came about first with the interest in soft adventure – the trips to sensitive ecologies of the Antarctic and the Galapagos. But with growing interest in visiting these places, there was also increasing threat to destroy those very ecologies.
That sparked a greater sensitivity among the travel providers, themselves. Lars-Eric Lindblad, whose company, Lindblad Travel, was a pioneer in such expeditionary-style travel, voluntarily restricted the number of visitors who could travel, and set a standard for the rest of the industry that has also been taken up by government authorities.
Increasingly, though, there are companies that not only bring travelers to destinations of particular ecological or cultural interest, but that also give back to those communities in order to sustain them.
That’s why they use the monikers “Sustainable” and “Responsible”.
ResponsibleTravel.com, established in 2001, is one of the first and leading online travel agents promoting responsible/ethical/eco/green travel. The company serves as a portal website, marketing a range of holidays on behalf of some 3,000 specialist tour operators, day trip providers and accommodation owners. With over 8,000 holidays worldwide, it claims to be “the world’s largest curated travel site for those seeking a more authentic, more immersive travel experience, as an alternative to the mainstream package tour.
“For us, responsible tourism is tourism that makes places better places to live in, as well as better places to visit. In that order,,” said Sarah Bareham, marketing executive for the company, based in Brighton’s North Laine district, England. “This is not just about reducing energy consumption or recycling – we look at holidays which are beneficial both to local environments, but also crucially to local communities as well. We believe that there is no “one size fits all” solution to responsible tourism – to be successful efforts need to be relevant to the people and place in each specific destination and take into consideration local priorities – and these will be vastly different across the globe.
“Authentic experiences and responsible tourism go hand in hand. If we treat people fairly and look after local environments they are more likely to open their homes, hearts and lives to us – resulting in a much deeper, immersive and authentic holiday experience. We believe in championing the small, local suppliers who know and love where they are, and want to share it with us and make us love it as much as they do. These are also the people that want to keep their places special and protect them for years to come. Travellers wanting authentic, responsible experiences should look for trips which use local guides, locally run accommodations which source local food, experiences which let them get closer to understanding the landscape they are visiting among others.”
“Each of the holidays on our site has been carefully screened to ensure it meets our criteria for responsible tourism – each needing to show compliance with environmental, social and economic criteria relevant to the destination in which it is based, with a focus on grassroots initiatives and local providers.
“As such each holiday offers a much more authentic experience, rooted in local cultures and ways of life and offer the chance to see a place as it really is, rather than just passing through. Additionally we publish honest, open two minute guides to destinations and activities worldwide, which give a bite-sized overview to travellers, and do not shy away from controversial responsible tourism issues or overrated activities.”
Responsible Travel has recently published 2-minute travel guides also contain a section on responsible tourism issues – with tips and advice specific to each destination. Examples include:
The company has also been an activist for change in the tourism industry, raising important issues and bringing them to the attention of the wider tourism industry, consumers and media.
“Last year we removed 42 orphanage volunteering trips from our site following extensive research and concerns, and working with key industry leaders and child protection organisations including Save the Children and Friends International developed a set of guidelines for volunteering trips in settings with vulnerable children, to put child protection back at the heart of these projects,” Bareham said.
“Currently we have an ongoing campaign to ‘Stop the Orca Circus’ calling on the travel industry to stop keeping orcas and dolphins in captivity for public entertainment purposes, in conjunction with the World Cetacean Alliance. Our petition has so far been signed by over 10,000 people, travel companies and animal welfare organisations, and in a recent independent poll commissioned by responsibletravel.com and the Born Free Foundation (UK) we found that 86% of UK holidaymakers surveyed said they ‘would not wish to visit a marine park to see whales and dolphins as part of an overseas holiday’.”
Responsibletravel.com is also the founder and organiser of the World Responsible Tourism Awards, now in its 11th year, and held annually at World Travel Market, London.
‘Six of the Best Cycling Holidays You Never Knew Existed’
In my mind, cycling trips are the ideal for “responsible, sustainable” travel – you are out and about without a window separating you, you are part of the local scene, you travel at a pace where you can really see things and can stop when you want, and you do not burn fossil fuels (beyond calories).
Here are ResponsibleTravel.com’s selection of “6 of the Best Cycling Holidays You Never Knew Existed”:
1. Cycling Safari
Discover the back roads of East Africa on a ride through from the foothills of Mt Kilimanjaro to the sparkling seas and white sand beaches of the Indian Ocean, through tucked away villages, lush rainforests and wildlife-filled savannah plains. The 16 day journey cost starts from £3,302 per person excluding flights and local bike hire.
2. Desert Adventures
Unleash your inner-Indiana Jones in Petra and pedal back in time in the deserts of Jordan. Ride along remote desert roads, camp out under the stars with the Bedouin in Wadi Rum and treat yourself to a soak in the salty waters of the Dead Sea. 9 days of desert adventure costs from £1,399 per person including flight, but excluding local bike hire.
3. Head in the Clouds
A tour to quite literally take your breath away, across the top of the world. A 16 day two-wheeled trip across the Tibetan Plateau, taking in the iconic Potala Palace, Everest Base Camp and dramatic Himalayan passes costs from £2,718 per person excluding flights and visas.
4. Your own Tour de France
The competitive with a love for lycra might want to consider a holiday to race your own Tour de France. This 5 day break gives you the chance to participate in the “Etape du Tour”, the very serious, amateur version of the main event. Last minute places available with a £175 discount for the already fit and well-prepared only. From £1,079 per person
5. Coast to Coast across India
From the backwaters of Kerala and the lush Western Ghats, to the vast plains of Tamil Nadu and the beaches of the Bay of Bengal. This 2 week cross-country epic takes you through some of India’s most stunning natural and cultural landscapes from £1240 per person excluding flights.
6. Foodie Finds
Just because a holiday is active doesn’t mean it can’t be indulgent. Your two wheels on this trip allow you to explore more vineyards, restaurants, olive groves, fishing ports and markets than you could on two feet. Spend 8 days cycling and sampling your way round a hidden Costa Brava from just £741 per person excluding flights.
