Unlocking a New Joy with Bike Touring
- Lisa Meester
- Apr 21
- 5 min read
Were you one of the many that took the plunge into the world of bikepacking during the COVID-19 pandemic? Bikepacking experienced a surge in popularity during that time as we all sought safe and socially distanced ways to explore the outdoors, looked for a means to escape and to exercise. Bikepacking offered (and still offers) a unique blend of freedom and self-sufficiency, allowing individuals and families to discover new places at their own pace.
Now that you’ve experienced that joy and freedom, you might find yourself craving something new but in the same realm. Are you ready to consider bike “touring?”
What’s the difference? Bikepacking is generally self-contained so more minimalist since you’re carrying everything on the bike. A bikepacking itinerary is often backcountry or trails. Bike touring is usually longer trips (think multi-day, multi-week, or yes even multi-month event), is often paved roads with less off-road miles, and so overall higher mileage.
You’re asking why, right? It’s usually about the adventure and challenge. Depending on the route, there are mountain passes to cross, there are century days to crush, and there are sites to experience differently (from the seat of a bike instead of the seat of a car). Experienced touring riders will say it’s about the journey and the accidental encounters along the way.
How do I do this?
We see what you’re thinking…”I can’t do that!” That’s where an adventure travel company specializing in supported bicycle tours comes in, like an America Bicycle Journeys.
The ABJ philosophy is --
Everyone can do this, if you have the interest. On my first supported tour, I learned about folks who’d ridden across the country. I was blown away. Who would do that? BUT it piqued my interest, and I didn’t stop thinking about it, until I set the goal, trained and took off on the adventure of a lifetime. We celebrate all your accomplishments whether it’s that cross-country tour, crossing the continental divide, or your first century. We will be there to tell you, “You can do this!”
It’s your ride. Whatever tour you select, whether it’s one of the full cross-country tours, one of the segments of a longer ride or one of the special regional rides, it is your ride. The group will generally leave at the same time each morning, but your arrival at the end of the day just needs to be before dark.
The tour staff will be “around” to offer encouragement and will provide pre-arranged SAG stops with water and food. Staff will give a daily overview of the route and points of interest, so you know what to expect. Your gear is transported for you from hotel to hotel. Your daily goal is point A to point B (with other stops along the way if you choose).
Ride your pace. Riding with a buddy or a group is always more fun as long as everyone rides at a similar pace and is familiar with the mechanics of group riding. Especially at the start of a tour, you should ride at your own pace and not push to keep up (or slow down). Even the shorter, regional rides can be like a marathon. And, riding in a group is an acquired skill. No one wants to crash out on the first day of a tour because of an inadvertent incident with another rider that you’re not used to having as a riding partner. Give others space at the start, then group up once everyone is into the tour rhythm.
Some preparation is required. Most folks don’t even do a 5k without some training. The same is true for a bike tour. Set a training schedule with weekly mileage goals based on a percentage of mileage of the tour. Long training miles on repetitive days is one key to getting prepared. Get ready to climb with big, long climbs if available, hill repeats if long climbs are not an option, and use that wind for resistant training (not just as a kicking tailwind to get you back home). Build up to longer mileage and have a solid cumulative total before you leave.
Start tapering two weeks before the start of the tour to give yourself active recovery before departure.
Stick to the plan and you should be confident when you arrive for the start of the tour.
Your other pre-tour prep will be making the travel arrangements to the tour start with your bike and gear, and for your return home at the end of the tour. All on-tour logistics are managed here – staff, accommodations, support vehicles and equipment, routes, and cue sheets.
There are other options for touring. Many riders tour self-contained -- carrying everything themselves and coordinating their logistics, using experience or online resources for research of routes, food and accommodations or camping sites. We meet many self-supported riders out on tour. We love to network with them and learn new things from their experiences. It’s a community this bike touring group, and we appreciate being a part of the group.
What makes America Bicycle Journeys “ABJ?”
We’re a small operation. We are not part of a large corporation operating bike tours on the side. You receive our personal attention and answers to questions based on real experience.
We offer curated tours with nuance you won’t see with other companies. Our routes have all been scouted with safety in mind and provide opportunities for emersion in the local communities.
We are riders and we have toured. Our approach is to think about what we would want the experience to be. We know not everyone is like us, but we think there are some expectations we all share. First, keeping tour fees as affordable as possible. Next, having a bed each night -- ABJ tours are hotel-based. And third, eating where and when we want and not always as a large group.
With those things in mind, most hotels are business-class, name brand and include breakfast. Evening and daytime meals will be on your own, exceptions are identified on tour itineraries. Breakfast is always included. When on your own, local meal options will be identified and shared during the daily route rap.
In short, customer service is in our hearts and at the forefront of what we do. We and our on-tour staff will be relentless to give you a positive experience.
Are you ready to ride or still not sure?
If you’re still not sure, you may want to consider one or multiple segments available on all the tours. This will give you a taste of what it’s like to tour.
But if you’re all in and ready to ride, the Ride the West tour still has openings for 2025, and tours for 2026 have started booking.
Ride the West 2025 will start in Astoria, Oregon on September 27 and arrives in Costa Mesa, California on October 20. That total mileage is 1,420 miles. The West Coast is not flat, but the views are spectacular. Prepare for a challenging, remarkable tour! Reservations can be made online or by calling the ABJ office, 573.220.0806.
See you on the road!
Lisa Meester, co-owner
Based in Fulton, Missouri
573.220.0806
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