12 questions about bike tours we’ll answer now (in case you’re afraid to ask later)

Perhaps you’re thinking about signing up for your first bike tour but you have so many questions swirling around in your head that you don’t know where to start. That’s why we’re here to get the ball rolling.

1.     What if I have never been on a bike tour before?

Well, you’ve come to the right place. WomanTours welcome first-timers (as well as cycling veterans), and it’s likely you won’t be the only newbie on your tour. WomanTours will support you wherever you’re at.

2.     I’m a really slow cyclist? What if I’m the last person to finish the ride every day?

Our goal is to help you find the joy in bike touring, at whatever speed you cycle at. Even fast cyclists don’t always get to the hotel first, as they stop to take pictures, read historic signs, identify birds, have a cup of coffee or visit a museum. Nobody’s keeping score, so take your time and enjoy the journey. 

3.     What if I get too tired to finish the day's ride?

Our SAG (support and gear) vehicle can either pick you up and drive you and your bike to the hotel or give you a jump start at the start of the day.

4.     Do I have to buy special clothes for a bike tour?

The only must-have item is a good bike helmet. We won’t let you ride without one. It should fit you well, it should not have been previously damaged or dropped, and it should be less than five years old.

After that, we strongly recommend padded biking shorts to keep your bottom half comfy.

Otherwise, you likely have everything else you will need for a bike tour: T-shirt, rain jacket, sneakers, sunglasses, etc.

5.     Is it true I’m not supposed to wear underwear with padded bike shorts?

Yes, that is correct. Going commando will spare you from chafing and blisters.

6.     Sneakers? Don’t I need those funny shoes that attach to the bike pedals?

It’s fine if you are comfortable using clipless shoes and pedals, but not at all essential. Our rental bikes all come with flat pedals that work perfectly well with sneakers or other outdoor shoes. That certainly makes it easier when you are off the bike and walking around. If you do have clipless cycling shoes and pedals and are renting a bike, our guides will install the pedals for you, with one exception. For safety reasons, we leave the flat pedals on our rental e-bikes.

7.     And what about other bike gear?

You don’t have to come with much else. A couple water bottles (if you are joining us for one of our tours in the U.S., we’ll give you one as well). And we highly recommend a mirror that attaches either to your helmet, glasses, arm, or handlebars. For the latter, we will install it for you if you rent a bike from us.

8.     What kind of bike should I ride on tour?

A hybrid bike with straight handlebars is a great choice if you like to sit more upright. A road bike with racing-style drop handlebars is fantastic if that is what you are used to riding. And an e-bike is excellent if you are a little nervous about the hills or mileage, as it provides pedal-assist insurance that you can handle them. If you don’t want to bring your own, we rent all three with the following exceptions:

• On our cross-country tours, riders bring their own bikes.
• On some of our international tours, a hybrid bike is usually included in the cost of the tour while e-bikes cost a little extra.
• Road bikes are usually not available on our international tours.
• Our newest international tour in Mongolia provides fat tire bikes only.

9.     What kind of bike tour is best for a first-timer?

Look for tours on our tour schedule page that have just the green L (for Leisurely) on our bike tour schedule. These tours have lower mileage and fewer hills. If you want to use an e-bike, then you should also consider tours that have both the green L and the blue M (for Moderate), as the e-bike will often turn a Moderate tour into a Leisurely one. A lot of these Leisurely and Moderate tours are on traffic-free bike paths, a big perk for bike tour novices.  

10.  What happens if something goes wrong with my bike, like a flat tire?

Flat tires and other mechanical mishaps are the rain showers of bike touring. They inevitably happen now and again but they should never keep you from joining a bike tour. Just as sunny skies always return, so too do repaired bikes rise again to the occasion. Our guides stand ready to change a flat tire or assist other minor mechanical mishaps—and they have the tools and supplies to do so. If the job requires more expertise or parts, they will bring your wheels to a bike shop for professional care.

11.  Do I have to carry my luggage on my bike during the tour?

Absolutely not! One of the guides will transport your luggage in a trailer while you ride, and it should arrive at the hotel before you do. If you need help getting it to your room, your guide can help with that as well.  

12.  I hate traveling alone but I don’t have anyone to go with. Is a bike tour still right for me?

At WomanTours, the answer is a resounding yes! Many guests come on their own and make friends in about 15 minutes. By the end of the tour, they often are making plans with their new pals to do another tour together. We offer a roommate rotation option that pairs you with a different cyclist every time you change hotels—a great way to get to know others on the tour. Of course, you can always choose a single upgrade and have your own room—you’ll still have plenty of time to bond with fellow riders and build new friendships. While the scenery you encounter is stunning, we think the people you meet through WomanTours is the real reason our tours are so special.