Bike Tour Advisor

What's the difference between Summary and Description?

When you write up a tour, review or operator there is a summary field and a description field. The summary field is simply a brief synopsis of tour or review or what have you. The summary is used when displaying lists of tours and reviews. Think of it as the basic facts that people should know. Someone can click "read more" if they want to read the long description too. The long description allows you a rich text input field as well. You can use basic html tags in those fields.

What if the tour I did isn't done any more?

Go ahead and write it up anyway and clearly indicate what you know or don't know about the tour any more. People are still interested in how the tour was run, the level of challenge, the type of people you rode with, etc. It's just one more indicator of how the tour operator runs things so it's still interesting info.

What if the tour operator isn't in the list?

You can create a listing for a tour operator too. Just click this link: add a tour operator.

Bike Tours - Should I Bring My Own Bike?

If you're an avid a cyclist or simply passionate about the perfect fit of your own bicycle, think about taking your bike with you. You will appreciate it. BUT, keep in mind it's going to cost you in time and energy and actual real $money$. Most airlines charge extra fees for bicycle cases. Even if you have a foldable bicycle, airlines may charge you extra due to the size or weight of the case. Plan for and expect some hassle.

In one instance I remember on a domestic European flight, even though I had a regulation sized case for a folding bike, because of it's size (10" width) and weight they were going to charge me an exorbitant fee. Had I not been able to show that I had previously purchased the extra fee for a bicycle they would have charged me the "regular" luggage fee. Oddly enough, the charge for a bicycle was less in that situation than the regular baggage fee for that case. Whether you tell them there is a bike in the case may or may not effect the price. Check in advance.

No matter what kind of bicycle case you bring, it's going to be unwieldy. Think about your transfers. Are you renting a car? If you rented some little econobox, better make sure it's going to fit. Taking the train? consider how you're going to get the bike and your luggage on/off during a short stop at the platform. You can't move too fast when you're lugging this stuff around. Wheels on the case are an absolute must. Don't be surprised to find that in many instances you'll be lugging your case up flights of stairs. Small inns in Europe for example often may not have elevators and if they do have elevators they may not be big enough to handle you and a bicycle case.

Considering a cardboard box? I'd pass. If your bike isn't worth a hard shell or well-padded softside case, leave it home and rent a bike. There are cardboard boxes that'll work ok but luggage can be left on the tarmack - you just never know how they're going to treat your luggage.

Going to New Zealand? If you rent a bike there be aware that the front and rear brakes are likely going to be the opposite of what you're used to. i.e. front brake with your right hand. If that will freak you out as you're screaming down a mountain road, consider bringing your good old familiar bike - or at least ask the tour operator if they can switch things to your preference.

Bike Tours - Should I Buy Trip Insurance?

Short answer, yes. Most of the time you're going to be planning your tour in advance. They are expensive enough and the logistics of getting there and/or bringing your stuff along are problematic enough that it really makes sense to get insurance. You'll find most tour operators recommend it as well. It's not that they're in cahoots with the insurance company, they just know that things can go wrong and they want you covered rather than angry and bitter if something happens.