Cross-Country: Southern Tier Bike Tour

We designed this tour with women over 50 in mind, but women of any age are welcome. We will dip our tires into the Pacific Ocean down the road from our hotel catching the sunrise over the city. Our route takes us on a bike path as we leave the city of San Diego. We then begin the adventure of a lifetime over back roads of the southernmost part of the United States.

We ride from the beach in California at the Pacific Ocean, through the saguaro desert of Arizona, over the continental divide in New Mexico and into the wildflowers of Texas. Then it’s across the Mississippi River to New Orleans and the bayou of Louisiana. We spend a layover day on the white sand beaches of Dauphin Island in Alabama and celebrate our finish in the nation’s oldest city of St. Augustine, Florida on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.

Along the way we’ll experience scenic, rural America and small town hospitality. Our van carries your luggage. Dry, warm beds and a hot shower await us every night. No camping for us!

After 4 days of cycling, we will have our first day off to let our bodies recover from conquering the mountains east of San Diego, and to prepare for more "bumps" ahead. We average 58 miles per day. We'll feel ourselves getting stronger with every day, as we experience all types of riding in all types of weather.

There will be 8 rest days over the course of the trip. We try to schedule these at scenic stops where there is an opportunity to explore the area. We strongly believe in giving everyone time to see the natural wonders of our country and to relax to keep our bodies healthy and strong.

We provide verbal GPS files for use on your smartphone, along with our own customized printed cue sheets.

We carry your luggage, and you, if necessary. We support the tour with two vans equipped with tools, supplies, first aid, food and water, a trailer, two guides and a chef. We offer healthy, home-cooked meals prepared by our traveling chef who understands the “performance food” needed to undertake such a challenge. She'll accommodate food allergies and provide a non-meat protein source for vegetarians, but if you require a vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free or other special diet, there will be a $600 surcharge.

We offer a reasonable price. You’ll find we have the cheapest per day rate for any hotel cross-country bike touring company.

We limit the group size to approximately 25 cross-country riders plus staff. You’re neither alone nor anonymous. We guarantee you’ll make some lifelong friends along the way. Many of our groups have gone on to hold reunions on their own many years later.

MORE INFO: For more information including printed tour specifics, links to blogs kept by past participants, and contact information of women who have completed this cross-country bike tour with us, email or call us. 

DISCOUNTS: Sign up by August 31, 2024 and save $450. Sign up for any shorter, domestic WomanTours trip in 2024 or 2025 when you register for the 2026 Southern Tier bike tour and receive a 10% discount on the shorter tour. Save 2% if you make your payments by check or Zelle.

CANCELLATION & REFUNDS: The $300 registration fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. The first payment of $2,000 is due July 1, 2025 and a second payment of $2000 is due October 1, 2025. The balance is due 75 days prior to the start of the tour. Due to the amount of work that goes into the planning of such a long tour, all payments are nonrefundable and nontransferable. We recommend getting travel insurance.

TRIP INSURANCE: We will provide you with a source for trip cancellation/interruption insurance. We strongly recommend insurance, especially for a trip of this magnitude.

TOUR DETAILS: Help on training, transportation, packing, and an itinerary will be sent upon receipt of your registration fee. We will also send you periodic Prep Talk newsletters to help you prepare for the trip. We don't offer this cross-country bike trip every year, so it usually gets a wait list. Don’t hesitate and sign up today!