In our #WhyIBikeTour campaign, we’re profiling the many different types of travelers who choose to explore the world on two wheels. From young single travelers to adventure seekers to retirees, our travelers are as diverse as our tours. Why do you bike tour? Share your story. E-mail
lindsay@blog.biketours.com or tag us at
@biketoursdotcom or
#whyibiketour on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
Names: Paul and Cheryl Miniato
Age: 64 and 58 (respectively)
Reside in: Powell River, BC, Canada
Professions: Cheryl is currently doing a part-time telecommuting contract. She is a Project Manager/Business Analyst, and has been in information technology for her entire career. Paul too worked in computer technology before retiring in 2015. He most recently worked as a Systems Analyst with a startup researching Computer-Assisted Negotiation. Since retiring, he volunteers in international development.
P.S. - We have two grown sons, and not too long ago "retired" from active parenting. :-) Why do you love to tour a new destination by bicycle?
Traveling by bike is the ideal way to see a new place. It’s slow enough to let you savour the countryside, discover little delights along the way, yet fast enough to bring you through changing scenery in a reasonable amount of time. Plus you get a lot of opportunity to meet local people, as well as fellow cyclists on your tour.
Having a knowledgeable guide is also really great, especially if you are traveling in a country where you don’t speak the language. You feel like you’ve earned your meals (and perhaps
gelatos), and you get to the end of the week feeling fit rather than flabby.
What's your favorite bike touring memory?
Usually, we enjoy biking down quiet country roads. But cycling through downtown Hanoi was certainly memorable. We weren’t sure what to expect – “maybe they have bike trails everywhere?” – but we soon saw that our guide was going to take us through “that traffic anarchy” along with tens of thousands of Vietnamese commuters, in cars, on bicycles, but mostly on overloaded scooters.
If we hadn’t practiced crossing the street the day before, we would have been clueless. Yet it turned out to be easier than it looked, as all the drivers adjusted their trajectories to avoid us (and everyone else). It’s something we’d only do once, but we were thrilled to have done it at all. We all talked about it for days afterward.
Any advice for others thinking about going on their first bike tour?
- Start with a country that doesn’t present too much cultural challenge. Very different customs, a different alphabet, unusual food, or somewhere they drive on the left might be left for a later tour.
- Check a climate resource to pick a travel time with the best conditions.
- Even if you’re a good cyclist, don’t plan on covering too many miles per day. Conditions may be different, and you’ll want lots of time to see the sights and sample the food. We find that four hours of actual moving time is a good daily maximum.
- Arrive at your starting point a day or two early to get over jetlag and settle in.
- And use a company like BikeTours.com to pick a tour that matches your cycling abilities and travel goals. They offer great advice, both online and over the phone.
Your favorite route you’ve cycled?
Cheryl and I agree that our best tour route ever was our bike and boat tour of the Dalmatian Islands of Croatia, arranged by BikeTours.com for us and 15 of our friends in the Fall of 2014.
We blogged about this one here. It was the combination of many factors: history, beautiful scenery, quiet if hilly roads, temperate sunshine, friendly people, excellent guides and ship-board accommodation, and great swimming.
Photo memories
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Why do you bike tour? Share your stories by e-mailing Lindsay Nash at
lindsay@blog.biketours.com or by tagging
@biketoursdotcom on Facebook or Instagram when you post pictures or stories.
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