Do you bike on vacation?
 

I was just reflecting on my last couple of vacations, and I have noticed a change in my travel behavior. These days I try to seek out a tourist bike tour (it could be a historic tour, neighborhood tour or food tour), use the bike share or rent a bike from my hotel to take in the sights.

I can't always get my travel companions to partake, so I might just go off for a quick ride to get coffee before we leave for the day, or find some other window of quiet time.

It great to see what infrastructure (or lack there of) exists. I've done it on basically every trip recently.

One of the highlights was in Chiang Mai Thailand. I did a city tour on a city bike, we went to some temples as well as an immigrant area. And we got snacks. It was really informative mixing history/culture/bike rides. The company also did mountain biking tours - but that is not my speed.

So do you bike? what has been your favorite vacation cycling experience?

Biking is my vacation :)

It's rare for us to travel without our bicycles.

I've been travelling with my bicycle since I was a little girl.

Well it depends on how you look at it. I'm a proponent of vacationing as a way of getting away from your normal routine. So if cycling is part of your daily training, I'd definitely say no.

On the other hand, there's nothing wrong with using cycling as an ad hoc to your vacation (a day trip or tour cycling a historic trail for example). Just so long as its not regimented or for the purpose of cycling.

After all, breaking the monotony and getting away from your normal (and predictable) every day routine is what vacations should be all about.

Cycling is not like breathing for me so no. Besides, we cruise for vacations and I would not find it enjoyable to cycle in unfamiliar countries. We use the RV just to get away and do take the bikes occasionally but those are just get-a-ways not vacations.

+1. I cannot remember the last time I took an extended vacation (i.e., one of more than a few days) that was not a bike tour.

Favorite would have to be my nearly four month trip from Seattle to Ocean City, NJ via Bar Harbor, ME and Philadelphia.

Second would be Seattle to Mesa Verde, CO.

Third is probably Cycle Oregon XV, where we crossed the entire state in 6 days.

We are going to Italy this year and spending some time in the wine country. I am hoping we can find a bike rental for leisurely rides. The long exercise rides are for back at home.

Hunting/fishing trips - no
Camping trips - usually. Sometimes just to get around the park/area. Sometimes focus of the trip.

I now live in a town which others come to on holidays..


I moved here after returning from a 3 season bike tour.. for my 50th year ..

Just did, in Phoenix. Arizona Outback Adventures furnished the cycles. We were pleased. Was fun.

Vacation time is pannier time. But now it's a slow roll exploration. Enjoying camping and the sights. John Muir taught me to really savor the moment. No speedometer or clock for me!

We take our bikes along for day/weekend trips where the idea is to ride them. This fall, we are planning a trip to France and plan to rent bikes for a short 2-day (with one overnight) tour through the Loire Valley. The cycling looks quite easy and only the equivalent of 1.5 hours ride time each day. The idea, of course, is for it to take all day while we stop and see the chateaux and taste wine along the way.

Cannon Beach?

No, further north, On the Columbia River ...

A friend's picture :


http://www.astoria-photografpix.com/...M8-140A_RL.jpg

I have fit some cycling into most of our vacations the past several years. My wife's not a cyclist so I try to work it in so that it's not all about me. Having said that, when I first got my touring bike, I asked her if she'd be willing to drive support for me while I road tour around the Adirondacks in upstate NY (using Adventure Cycling maps). Wanted to test out the bike and my ability for longer back-to-back daily rides. It worked out pretty well so did the Green Mountain Loop in VT, again using the Adventure Cycling map and my wife driving support. I did plan this one so there were alternate days off so we could do something else together and, on cycling days, we'd go out to dinner and enjoy walking about the local community we stayed it. I don't think it was awful for her and, for me, it was nice meeting up with her at the end of the ride. Those were the only two, what I'd call, primarily cycling vacations.

But several other trips, I've brought my bike and would go out early in the morning for my ride while she's still sleeping and relaxing before the day starts. I'd be back for breakfast together and we'd spend the day together doing things together. Did this kind of trip for long weekends to Vermont and Acadia National Park as well as the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia.

So, short answer is, I often do bring my bike on vacation.

If we are taking a vacation with good riding in the vicinity and driving then yes bike goes. but if we fly or the area isn't so great for biking then we leave them home.

I try and plan my vacations with cycling in mind. it has worked out really well for me I just started cycling 3 years ago I can't believe what I was missing. this years vacation will be with the Mtb.

I don't go anywhere on vacation. It is the only way I can get in any rides longer than 60 miles and have a full rest day.

I don't always get to, but I prefer to. When we were on vacation at Daytona Beach in September, I rode every day.

I love this! Every trip my hubs and I take has involved bikes on some way or have been bike related destinations. This January I got the opportunity to travel to Spain with a friend. Not once did I get on a bike–we tried to rent city bikes to get around but all the stations had issues so no luck. But you know what? It was great taking a break for a week or so to just hang out, have fun , go to the spa, go out, so great!

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...75bbfcbe19.jpg
Folder comes with me on all my vacations. My wife calls it my third child.

Wut

This is how I like to roll my vacations.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...45849e20d1.jpg

For road trips we've graduated from a Dahon Boardwalk in the car trunk to a VW Eurovan Camper with hitch rack. Once camped the bikes are more transportation than sport.