Course Summary: Trip Dates: Jun 24 - Jun 29 Start - End Locations: Richmond, VA - Richmond, VA Days: 6   Rest Days: 0   Level of Support: Self-contained Surface: Road  Riders: 14 Type: Education   Meals: Shared cooking Accommodations: Camping/Indoor Physical Difficulty: Beginner   Cost: $599 Booking Status: Closed

More than thirty years ago—in 1976, to be exact—the grassroots organization known as Bikecentennial helped some four thousand dream chasers turn their visions into reality, as they bicycled across the United States on the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail. Looking back, the gear these people used appears oddly primitive by today’s standards (although that didn’t diminish their fun factor). They pedaled ten-speed bikes, which in some cases were flimsy models purchased off the floors of department stores. Dress of the day commonly included cut-off blue jeans, tennis shoes, T-shirts, and, for the most part, no helmets.

Since those seeds were planted over three decades ago, Bikecentennial has blossomed into Adventure Cycling, a 43,000-member organization that has both benefited from and greatly influenced the evolution of bicycle travel. We are today the acknowledged experts on self-contained bicycle travel, and we would like to share with you a little bit of what we’ve learned through one of our Intro to Road Touring courses.

Two days of classroom instruction provided by some of our most seasoned trip leaders will provide you and others new to bicycle travel the basics you need to get geared up—and not just in terms of equipment, but geared up mentally and physically. We’ll cover bicycle safety, what and how to pack, which kind of bike to use for various modes of bike travel, dealing with emergency situations, and how to cook nutritious and tasty (if not gourmet) camp meals.

Next, you’ll apply your newly acquired knowledge on a three-day mini-tour through the countryside in one of three of the hottest cycling-destination states in the country—either Colorado, Virginia, or Oregon. The routes chosen are all ideal for bicycle travel, giving you the opportunity to test ride what you’ve learned during your classroom sessions.

You’ll complete the course with a newfound sense of confidence in your abilities, along with a clearer understanding of the joys and benefits that can be attained through self-contained bicycle travel. The information gleaned can be quantified and reviewed later, through checklists and printed materials. What cannot be measured, though, is the degree of inspiration you will absorb by spending time with both enthusiastic, experienced road warriors and serious wannabe bike travelers.

After “graduating” from this course, you’ll be raring to hit the open road, whether it’s on a solo outing, a trip with friends, or as member of a group of kindred spirits on an Adventure Cycling trip.

For more detailed information, see Introduction to Touring logistics.

READY TO GO?
You can sign up for the Introduction to Road Touring, Virginia tour online. Sign up now.