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megandmog
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Joined: 20 Apr 2007
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PostPosted: 16:06 - 04 Oct 2007    Post subject: Guided biking tours Reply with quote
Can anyone recommend some good companies that offer guided bike tours? Thinking anywhere in America, for about seven days in 2009. Setting myself something to work towards.
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spnorm
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Joined: 18 Aug 2007
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PostPosted: 08:32 - 05 Oct 2007    Post subject: Reply with quote
This firm have had good reviews in the press https://www.gamct.com/

Alternatively, use HC Travel as they act as agents for several touring companies and will be able to find a tour to suit your requirements https://www.hctravel.com/

I'm also planning on touring the States in 2009 as a 40th birthday ( Sad ) present to myself, but will probably book a self-guided tour to save money
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TheDonUK
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PostPosted: 10:54 - 05 Oct 2007    Post subject: Reply with quote
Out of interest why a guided tour?, for me that would take most of the enjoyment out of being on a the open road, especially somewhere like america
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megandmog
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PostPosted: 11:58 - 05 Oct 2007    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thanks for the links!
I'm a young girl, going on my own and am a new rider, so I'd feel much more comfortable with others there for support, to navigate etc.
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Shay HTFC
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Joined: 18 Mar 2007
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PostPosted: 12:03 - 05 Oct 2007    Post subject: Reply with quote
Fair enough if you are still getting into the hang of things. Breaking down in the middle of nowhere and not knowing what to do is something that I doubt will happen if you're in a tour.

Although I'm sure you'll find lots of 'official tour guides' on here now you've said that Laughing
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feef
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Joined: 11 Feb 2002
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PostPosted: 12:18 - 05 Oct 2007    Post subject: Reply with quote
megandmog wrote:
I'd feel much more comfortable with others there for support, to navigate etc.


Even if you were to go with a group of riders, it doens't have to be a professionally organised tour.

Last year's summer tour was great fun, and organised easilyu between the 6 of us. It ended up I did almost all the navigation and everyone else just followed.

Feel free to consider joining me and whoever else comes along next year for a tour of Europe; 1 week of riding, 1 week in a villa on some of the best, twistiest roads in France.

a
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Itchy
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Joined: 07 Apr 2005
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PostPosted: 12:20 - 05 Oct 2007    Post subject: Reply with quote
feef wrote:
megandmog wrote:
I'd feel much more comfortable with others there for support, to navigate etc.


Even if you were to go with a group of riders, it doens't have to be a professionally organised tour.

Last year's summer tour was great fun, and organised easilyu between the 6 of us. It ended up I did almost all the navigation and everyone else just followed.

Feel free to consider joining me and whoever else comes along next year for a tour of Europe; 1 week of riding, 1 week in a villa on some of the best, twistiest roads in France.

a


where are you going and when? , makes me wonder if I should hook up with this one or Mcgee's big trip.
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megandmog
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Joined: 20 Apr 2007
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PostPosted: 13:21 - 05 Oct 2007    Post subject: Reply with quote
Oooo really feef? Wow, thanks.
I don't have any biker friends, so figured jumping on an organised thing would be best bet.
Anywho, still on the 125 at the mo so it's all a long way off, just getting some ideas to give me something to look forward to.
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feef
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Joined: 11 Feb 2002
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PostPosted: 14:32 - 05 Oct 2007    Post subject: Reply with quote
Itchy wrote:
where are you going and when? , makes me wonder if I should hook up with this one or Mcgee's big trip.


A rough idea so far, staying in a rented villa/gite near Draguignan

Taking in Castle Neuschwanstein
Stelvio Pass
Lake Como
Milan
Briancon and the Italian/French alps
Section of the Route Napoleon
and staying on or near the Gorges du Verdon.

5 days touring down, 7 days in the house, 2 days riding back up.

https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/tour_idea.jpg

megandmog wrote:
Oooo really feef? Wow, thanks.
I don't have any biker friends, so figured jumping on an organised thing would be best bet.
Anywho, still on the 125 at the mo so it's all a long way off, just getting some ideas to give me something to look forward to.


Organised tours tend to be very expensive.

There's already a couple of people I know who are interested who would also be relatively inexperienced riders, so don't worry about getting left behind or pressured to ride fast.

I've calculated the route I posted based on around 200 miles a day, which is really quite comfortable to do. Even on the slowest, twistiest roads, you're not going to be riding for more than a working day (and yes, plenty of stops for drinks, lunch and photo ops).

a
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TheDonUK
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PostPosted: 14:39 - 05 Oct 2007    Post subject: Reply with quote
Post Not needed

Last edited by TheDonUK on 15:52 - 05 Oct 2007; edited 1 time in total
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feef
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Joined: 11 Feb 2002
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PostPosted: 14:43 - 05 Oct 2007    Post subject: Reply with quote
TheDonUK wrote:
I highly reccomend you avoid paris, maybe go back up via Reims, that is unless you really want to ride to it...

As to the original poster, fair enough, in your situation it seems quite a good idea, maybe you could even rent a slightly larger bike for the tour...


I've never had a problem riding around or thru paris, but as I said, that route is only a guide (the paris bit is what you get when you tell Mapsource to avoid motorways), the important bit is the Austria - italy - South of france bit.

a
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TheDonUK
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PostPosted: 15:06 - 05 Oct 2007    Post subject: Reply with quote
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Last edited by TheDonUK on 15:51 - 05 Oct 2007; edited 1 time in total
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Shay HTFC
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Joined: 18 Mar 2007
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PostPosted: 15:17 - 05 Oct 2007    Post subject: Reply with quote
Why not just detour slightly to the west of your route and take in the Millau mother-bridge ? That is surely a sight to make time for! ?
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feef
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Joined: 11 Feb 2002
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PostPosted: 15:17 - 05 Oct 2007    Post subject: Reply with quote
TheDonUK wrote:
Oh its not a problem to ride through and if you can filter half decently you can get through in decent time, its just if Paris is just a waypoint essentially and you wont be doing the sights there i would personally avoid it as the roads through are ugly/congested (though there are alot of underpasses which give you a nice sound)

As an alternate to Paris: Lyon > Macon > Dijon > Troyes > Reims > Arras...


As I said.. it's only on there cos mapsource was avoiding motorways. it's not a waypoint.

I know very well what it's like to ride in France.

Ask Psychohippy about the sweary argument I had with a BMW driver when he cut us up on the way into St Tropez Embarassed

a
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feef
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PostPosted: 15:18 - 05 Oct 2007    Post subject: Reply with quote
Shay HTFC wrote:
Why not just detour slightly to the west of your route and take in the Millau mother-bridge ? That is surely a sight to make time for! ?


That 'detour' is enough to mean your 2 days riding back up are pretty much just motorway. We did the Millau bridge last year, and would rather take an interesting route north instead

a
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