When it comes to planning a bicycle tour it can be difficult to know where to start. So, we’ve put together a list of 7 bicycle tours worth exploring. For each one, we’ve also listed an experienced tour guide and given a bit of insight into what makes the trip worthwhile.
- Galbraith Mountain
- Sedona Desert
- MTB In Bentonville
- Fat Tire In Jackson Hole
- The Richardson Highway
- Historic Gettysburg
- Pinellas Trail
Galbraith Mountain Bicycle Tours
Galbraith Mountain outside Bellingham, Washington is home to some of the most epic mountain biking trails you’ll find in the Pacific Northwest. The mountain offers over 65 miles of singletrack that winds through 3,000 acres of terrain. With so many trails, it’s worth paying for a tour guide to ensure the best possible experience.
Experience International offers an action-packed, one-day bicycle tour of Lookout Mountain and Galbraith that you won’t want to miss. In addition to great mountain biking, you’ll have an opportunity to visit the area’s best breweries. It’s a perfect mix of cycling, good food, good beer and beautiful scenery.
The cost is dependent on the size of your group, so fill out the Experience International tour form to get a quote.
Sedona Desert
Biking Sedona isn’t for the faint of heart. You’ll do a lot of climbing, but the jaw-dropping panoramas of Coconino National Forest are worth it. The dramatic and ever-changing terrain ranges from stunning rock canyons to high desert alpine tundra. And the further up you go the more epic it is coming down.
Luckily, an experienced tour guide can take the intense Sedona landscape and mold it into manageable routes for the moderately-experienced mountain biker. Grasshopper Adventures has one such tour for about $3,000. Their 5-day Sedona Cycling Adventure mixes culture, history and relaxation.
Start your day with morning yoga. Then, enjoy a 30 mile ride as your tour guide describes the geological and historical wonders all around you. Finally, end your day with a vineyard tour and wine tasting. If you ask us, that’s pretty much a perfect way to enjoy all the Arizona desert has to offer.
MTB In Bentonville
What better place to plan a mountain bike tour than the mountain biking capital of the world. Bentonville, Arkansas claims this title because of its thrilling rides, one-of-a-kind terrain and community love for the sport. Bentonville is even home to the only Mountain Biking Preserve on the planet.
Ozark Bike Guides molds their tour to your needs. They offer bicycle tours ranging from big climbs and rowdy descents to relaxed family rides on the Greenway. Ozark’s full-day and half-day tours start at $120. You can also book private and group skills lessons starting at $80.
Fat Tire In Jackson Hole
If you think you have to head south to go on a winter bike tour think again. Jackson Hole is the perfect spot to test your skills on a Fat Bike. A winter bicycle tour—in the snow— is the perfect way to see all of Jackson’s breathtaking views and wildlife without the summertime crowds.
Teton Mountain Bike Tours is the go-to fat bike tour company in the Jackson Hole area. The company’s founder, David Hunger, is known as “the godfather of fat biking.” Their full day winter fat bike tours in Grand Teton National Park start at $500, including lunch and fat bike rental. The tour also includes amazing views of the snow-capped Teton Mountain Range and maybe even some glimpses of the area’s majestic wildlife.
The Richardson Highway
A bicycle tour of Alaska’s Richardson Highway is an unforgettable way to experience Alaska’s interior. Along the way, you’ll pass through a variety of climate zones, mountains, and river basins. As Alaska’s first road, Richardson Highway has a rich history. It was created by gold-seekers in the late 1800s. Despite the name, Richardson Highway is fairly low-traffic and makes for a peaceful ride.
Alaska Bike’s All-Alaskan Tour is a challenging adventure complete with views of Denali, a visit to Fairbanks and a 300-mile ride down the Richardson Highway. It’s 7 days and 7 nights of pure Alaskan paradise. The tour costs $3,800 which includes accommodations and meals.
Historic Gettysburg Bicycle Tours
The trip from Gettysburg to Washington, D.C. is filled with historical significance and beautiful countryside views. Along the route, you’ll have the opportunity to stop through Antietam National Battlefield, explore Harper’s Ferry and cruise alongside of the Potomac River.
Discovery Bicycle Tours offers an educational, fun-filled trip from Gettysburg to Washington, D.C. This 6-day tour kicks off with visits to iconic Civil War sites in Gettysburg before heading to see our nations greatest monuments in Washington, D.C. To wrap it up, the tour pays a visit to George Washington’s home in Mount Vernon. Reservations for this bicycle tour are available June through October. The trip costs about $3,000 and includes accommodations and food.
Pinellas Trail Bicycle Tours
The Rails-to-Trails Conservancyis building a nation connected by trails, often along old railway tracks. If you love biking but also love the city, the Pinellas Trail in Florida will be right up your alley. The 34-mile trail follows along the old CSX Railroad and weaves effortlessly through one of the most densely populated areas in Florida. This trail makes it easy to stop off at the beach, bike to downtown St. Petersburg or enjoy the quiet, scenic views near the Pasco border.
The 6-day Florida Suncoast Tour offered by Wilderness Voyageurs is a fantastic option for nature enthusiasts and city lovers alike. The bike tour takes you through downtown St. Petersburg, along miles of coastline and into the heart of “Old Florida” communities. Each day you’ll bike between 22-32 miles. Meals and food are included in the $2,471 cost. This tour is offered in February and March as well as October and November.
Finish
Each tour we selected offers its own unique advantages. For one-day bicycle tours, Jackson Hole, Bentonville and Galbraith Mountain are amazing options. For full-length tours, The Richardson Highway (Alaska) and Gettysburg, PA to Washington, D.C. are excellent choices. If you’re looking to escape the cold, head south to St. Petersburg, FL to ride the rails or Sedona to experience desert beauty.
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