brenzo08

Hi new to the website so hope I'm posting in the right place.

I am looking for bike touring jobs anywhere around the world and i was wandering if anyone could help push me in the right direction or have information on how I can get into this. I have no experience in the field only that I'm an avid cyclist and I'm looking for a career change so I know I'll have to start at the bottom and willing to do whatever training necessary.

I am 32 from the UK any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Herzlos

What's a bike touring job? Like a touring bike guide, or a support crew or something?

I'm not sure there are many companies hiring guides, but I think there's probably a pretty good market for someone who can organise and support a 2-3 day bike tour somewhere interesting. I'm not sure it'd pay a full time salary though, most of the bike guides I know use it to essentially get the cycling hobby to pay for itself.

brenzo08

yeah sorry poor choice of words from myself. Yeah just looking at bike tours in South america or south Africa where they do long trips and wanted to get into something like that just don't know where to start

shelbyfv

Contact the companies offering these tours, ask about employment?

Broctoon

When I think of jobs in a field such as this, what comes to mind are Social Media Influencer or Content Creator.

I think to make those a career, you have to do the following:

1) Get really good at shooting and editing video, and at writing and photography, if you want to make a blog.
2) Concurrently with the step above, develop your personal brand and media presence.
3) Network with other influencers, outfitters/guides, gear manufacturers and retailers... anyone in the industry
4) Arrange your lifestyle and finances in way that allows for fulltime bike touring.
5) Find a niche that might not be covered by others, or that many people are likely to take interest in

It can be tough to make a living in this field, but some folks have figured out how to do so. I think it's like most things: determination and patience are critically important. I suspect most of the people who are making it work did not approach it as a deliberate career choice. Rather, they started publishing videos as a hobby while keeping another job to pay the bills, and eventually became successful enough to take it fulltime.

I believe guide/outfitter services usually emerge "organically," led by enthusiasts who are native to the location and already intimately familiar with it. I suppose it's possible to move into a new area and set up shop in this industry, but succeeding would be more difficult. In other words, if you're from UK and would like to work in Africa or So. America, you might have to first move there and get very familiar with local conditions, economy, language, etc. Otherwise, I'd echo the advice above to contact companies already in the business and inquire about employment.

indyfabz

Sounds like the OP is looking for employment with an established company, not starting his own company.

thumpism 

Ask for the job. That's how I got on with Vermont Bicycle Touring four decades ago.

indyfabz

You might be able to save this thread by relating some of your experiences. It’s a subject that I don’t think has been discussed here in a long time.

I have participated in several organized tours, both supported and unsupported. I’ve seen all sorts of behavior from participants. One of the terrific leaders of my unsupported cross country tour (We “fired” the original leader” the original leader.) said something about working a tour that really stuck with me: “It’s never about you.”

MarcusT

Where ever you go, speaking the native language would probably be a requirement

tFUnK

Not sure if still true, but at one point Airbnb allowed hosts to post "experiences" for booking. Leading bike tours fell into that category. But that's not what you're asking about.

Do a Google search on bike tours in the regions you're interested in, and contact the company regarding tour guide positions.

Eds0123

If i was OP's age and wanted career out of touring, I probably would start small and see if i could get a group of riders and go for a one day riding event 50-60 miles or so locally, See how it goes. gain some experience and go for bigger. There are online platforms that you can connect with other peole having the same interests gosls and honbies. very good luck to you. its not going to be easy like getting a job at a corporation (e. g. REI has organized tours and probably employees supporting those tours) but it would be more fullfilling to start small and stsrt your own .