What is best for me, a self-guided or guided bike tour?
You control the pace with a self-guided trip. We recommend stops at some of our favorite places, but on a self-guided trip you don't need to stop if you don't want to stop. Our self-guided tours are more affordable, but have the same quality routes and accommodations of a guided tour. And, we're only a phone call away if you have any questions. We offer optional luggage transfer service for our self-guided tours so you can cover more miles without hauling your own gear.
We can also customize a guided tour for your group of friends, or for a special company event.
We can also customize a guided tour for your group of friends, or for a special company event.
What are the bicycle routes like?
Our routes are carefully selected to be scenic and safe. We bring you past quintessential town commons, quiet forested stretches, restored mill villages and beautiful farmland. Our distances vary to offer you the type of riding schedule that's right for you. Most of the routes are easy to moderate, but New England is known to be hilly and some riders find this more challenging than others.
Why do a bike tour?
We subscribe to the travel theory of seeing a small area really well. Traveling on a bike allows you to slow down and appreciate the sights one pedal at a time. Slow down the pace, see a patch of wildflowers that you would miss at 55mph, and observe with all your senses. Including outdoor exercise on your vacation provides a sense of adventure and a great feeling of accomplishment.
What about traveling with a family?
We have been cycling with our two kids since the days when Gary towed the older one alone in the trailer and then the younger one in the trailer and the older one riding on her own at a slow speed. So, we understand the dynamics of a cycling tour with kids. We appreciate the importance of keeping the trip interesting for the kids and at a pace they can manage.
When you inquire about a tour with us, we find out what activities you enjoy and how many miles per day you would like to ride. This will help us direct you to a trip well suited to your family. We offer a wide variety of kid friendly stops along the routes. These stops might include a working dairy farm that serves home baked goods, swimming spots, an old-fashioned penny arcade or a great ice cream stand. We also include a list of local activities scheduled during your trip such as parades, fireworks, and festivals.
The B&B's we will include on our tour welcome children. One of the B&B's has a full suite with living room, small kitchen and separate bedroom. Another B&B has suite with a loft that older kids love. In some B&B's you would have adjoining rooms.
When you inquire about a tour with us, we find out what activities you enjoy and how many miles per day you would like to ride. This will help us direct you to a trip well suited to your family. We offer a wide variety of kid friendly stops along the routes. These stops might include a working dairy farm that serves home baked goods, swimming spots, an old-fashioned penny arcade or a great ice cream stand. We also include a list of local activities scheduled during your trip such as parades, fireworks, and festivals.
The B&B's we will include on our tour welcome children. One of the B&B's has a full suite with living room, small kitchen and separate bedroom. Another B&B has suite with a loft that older kids love. In some B&B's you would have adjoining rooms.
What kind of bike is best?
Your own bike if possible! Seriously, we have found that having a comfortable riding position is a key factor in enjoying extended time on your bike. One of our favorite bicycle companies, Rivendell, has done an excellent job of articulating the importance of keeping the handle bar height as high (or higher) than your seat height. They (and we) are also an advocate of getting a bicycle that is big enough for you. As much as we like the looks of racing frames, they are just not that comfortable for rides meant for sight seeing, and bike shops often put you on a frame that suggests you want to be in an aerodynamic tuck all day - no thanks! Whether you are riding a touring bike or a hybrid-style bike, they put you in a riding position the is considerably more comfortable. Our tours are on quiet roads and bike paths, so we suggest road or hybrid bikes as the most practical. If you have a mountain bike to tour on, think about replacing those knobby treads with slicks for our backroads. Whatever bike you ride, we have found that racks, bags and fenders are practical.
What's included in the trip fee?
We provide you with lodging referral (booked directly by you at our special rates), detailed map instructions, a daily itinerary with sight seeing narrative, and all of the advice you could ever ask for! If you would like us to provide some services such as a catered dinner, airport transfer, luggage transfer or museum passes, then these can be added "a la carte".
How and when should I reserve my tour?
We recommend that you give us as much lead time as possible to book your tour, as lodging in our B&B's is in high demand from May through October. If you plan on visiting during a holiday then it's particularly important for us to reserve as early as possible. To reserve a trip, just send us an email or give us a call.
What do I bring?
New England weather is always changing, so we have found layers are essential. A good wicking layer, mid-weight tops, a fleece vest, and breathable rain jacket offer a lot of combinations for changeable weather. Bring padded bicycling shorts, or liners to wear under regular shorts, for comfort in the saddle. And, of course, don't forget your helmet and cycling gloves.
What is the nearest airport and do you provide transportation from the airport to the trip start?
Choices include T.F. Green Airport in Providence, RI (PVD) for one of the easiest in and out experiences you'll ever have and Logan Airport in Boston, MA (BOS). Other options include Bradley Airport in Hartford, CT (BDL) and Manchester Airport in Manchester, NH (MHT). These airports are farther away from the start of the bike tours, but they may work for you if you are spending time in New England before or after the bike tour.