OVERVIEW
Events are designed to provide our riders with a fun, relaxed and sociable environment, and some of the best and most scenic cycling on the continent. Events begin on day one with Registration generally starting at 3:30 PM, followed by an Orientation Meeting at 4:30 PM, and dinner at 6:00 PM. Events usually finish mid-afternoon on the last day. It is recommended to book flights home for the day after the tour ends or later.

Tour Costs
The main thing you need to do for our Events is be ready to ride! These are camping trips, but in most cases motel options are available nightly. Price includes:

• Catered meals and water/snack stops, beginning with dinner on Day 1 and ending with lunch on the final day
• Camping and shower fees for each night of the trip
• Luggage, mechanical and SAG support vehicles
• Maps, route markings, T-shirt, safety triangle

Camping
Campsites range from private campgrounds to school athletic fields to state parks. Overnight facilities vary, but tents are typically pitched on large, flat, grassy areas. Bathrooms and showers are always available. If access to indoor facilities is unavailable or insufficient, we may supplement the facilities with portable toilets and/or a shower truck.

Motels
Events are typically designed to be camping trips, although motel options are available, at the participant’s expense, on most days. A list of motels is provided upon sign-up, and participants need to make their own reservations. During the tour, we transport luggage to and from motels daily. In most cases, motels will be located within a few miles of the group camping site.

Meals
We've found that many bicycle travelers enjoy eating enormous amounts of food. We place great emphasis on food quality and quantity. All meals are provided by our catering staff, and rest stops will be located approximately every 25 miles. You’ll start each day with a tasty and varied hot breakfast, followed by a mid-morning rest stop to fuel you into lunch. Another rest stop awaits you mid-afternoon, with more energy drinks and snacks such as fruit, cookies, and energy bars. You’ll be rewarded each evening with a delicious and varied dinner buffet. Vegetarian and special dietary needs will be addressed, though food selection may be limited in some locations.

Support Vehicles (SAG)
You should come to the tour physically prepared to ride the entire route. Support vehicles roam the route and are available for emergency use (medical emergency and equipment failure).

Mechanical Support
An experienced mechanic follows the route every day in a support vehicle to take care of mechanical emergencies, and is available each evening at the camping location. The mechanic vehicle carries a supply of tires, tubes and spare parts, but you should come prepared with at least two spare tubes to fit your tires, a pump and a patch kit.

Luggage Transport
The luggage truck will carry your bags to the next campsite or motel. When packing, keep in mind that you must be able to carry your bags to and from the luggage truck. A cart is available in camp for moving luggage. Please pack as lightly as possible, and keep your total luggage weight under 50 pounds. If your bag is not waterproof, we recommend protecting your gear with plastic bags in order to keep it dry in case of rain.

Because you will not have access to the luggage truck during the day, you will need to carry such items as raingear, camera, snacks, and anything else you might want during your ride.

Bike Cases
Hard-plastic bike cases, cardboard bike boxes, and other packing materials will be stored during the event and available at the ending point. You do not need to make any arrangements for this prior to arrival.

Your Bicycle
Just about every type of bicycle has been used on our tours. We’ve seen touring bikes, racing bikes, tandems, recumbent, mountain bikes, and even triples. For a safer and more comfortable ride, we strongly recommend beefier tires for paved road trips – at least 700 x 28. If you're touring rough gravel or dirt surfaces, it's best to have a tire with an aggtessive or knobby tread. And, you'll want a wider tire (700 x 32mm or greater) to give you better traction and more cushion. For those running 26" wheels, 1.25–1.75" slick tires work well on pavement, while 1.9–2.25" widths are optimal for gravel and dirt. That being said, ride the bike you’re comfortable with, and be prepared with the extra tubes and tools you’ll need to repair a flat tire. If you have questions about the suitability of your bike for a specific trip, please call us to discuss.

Parking
We plan to accommodate parking on all of our Events. In some cases, cars will be left at the starting location. In other cases, parking is available for a fee. Exact details will be provided when you register for the trip.

GENERAL LOGISTICS
Trip Application and Sign-up
Upon signing up for a tour, you will receive a Tour Confirmation Invoice and preparatory materials, including a “Before You Go” booklet that contains a packing list and training tips. About 60 days prior to the tour or sooner, you will receive a Tour Information Packet with specific details about your starting location, recommended bike shop, travel tips, and much more.
Please feel free to contact the Tours Department if you have questions that are not answered here. Call (800) 755-2453 toll-free or (406) 721-1776 x3. Or send an email to

Bike Transport
The two most common options are (a) to ship your bike to the start of the tour or (b) transport your bike with you by plane, train, or automobile. If you decide to ship your bike, send it to the recommended bike shop at the start of the tour. For each tour, we select a local bike shop to manage this. They are able to provide several levels of service for you. They can assemble your bike before the ride and ship it home afterward for a reasonable fee. They can also simply accept shipment if you plan to assemble it yourself. Your best bet is to take your bike to your local shop and have them ship it to the appropriate place.

The other option is to take your bike with you, however you’re traveling to the tour. If you plan to take your bike on an airplane, the airline typically will charge an additional fee to take a bicycle. Please check with the airlines or travel agency directly for details.

Bike and Gear
You need to supply all of your own cycling gear (bike, helmet, shoes, and clothing) and camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, and pad). A suggested packing list is included in the “Before You Go” booklet.

Parking
We plan to accommodate parking on all of our tours shorter than 14 days. In most cases, cars will be left at the starting location. At other times, parking is available at another location nearby. On some occasions, there is a cost involved to park your car during the trip. Details are provided in the Tour Information Packet.