Now is the Time to Plan a Bicycle Tour

11 Dec Now is the Time to Plan a Bicycle Tour

Many of you are knee-deep in snow and are thinking of ways to get yourself out there to run your errands. We are in full-swing of this year’s holiday season. Hopefully you’ve looked at my list of 10 gift ideas from last week and found something perfect.

No? You already have everything that you can possibly use. How about plan a bicycle tour or two for the upcoming year? Let me tell you why now is a good time to think about or plan your bicycle tours for next year.

You Deserve It

Are you done with your Christmas shopping? Have you even started? Either way, don’t forget to get yourself something. It is best to buy an experience rather than more “stuff”. It will definitely be more meaningful and will make you much happier. So go ahead and give yourself that permission to splurge on the trip of your dreams next year. I’m certainly thinking about my annual trip next year. I see myself somewhere in Europe.

RAGBRAI-12 by Dave Herholz, on Flickr

Tour Dates Are Published

Whether you are interested in doing RAGBRAI or one of the Adventure Cycling tours, the dates are all published for next year. Take this opportunity and review your calendar against all the possible tours. You may even qualify for an early entry discount since you’re so ahead of the game. I’ve already started looking into RAGBRAI myself as that is one of those bucket list rides.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebD2r-8vo8Y]

Open, open, open

There used to be a store in Southern California (and maybe nationwide) called Mervyns. They would usually run ads with people waiting outside of their store mumbling, “Open, open, open.” That is probably how you feel about getting warmer weather so that you can go out and ride your bicycle. Having a tour planned and paid for will give you something to look forward to next year.

Of course, if you are in Southern California, you get to ride all year-long. Don’t take this for granted. Get out there and go on a quick overnighter. Do you want more people to join you? Join our MeetUp group and let’s plan something.

Part of my bicycle tours in the near future will get me over to Ojai (one of my favorites) and maybe even Catalina Island.

Build Excitement

It’s only a few months before your fair-weather friends are willing to ride so why not ask them to join you on a tour now? Build some excitement and anticipation. Show them photos. Tell them to read Milestone Rides. Have them join a local MeetUp or if you are in Southern California, join my MeetUp. Show them how much fun we are having. The key here is to get as many people excited as possible, so that when people start flaking, you still have a good core group of people to join you.

Why do you think the Los Angeles Self-Supported Bicycle Touring MeetUp Group was started? I want people to travel with and keep my desire fueled indefinitely. Not that it’s anywhere close to being extinguished.

Final Thoughts

Ok, you are probably thinking that you can do all this anytime of the year and that is true. I just think during the holiday season, you are willing to open yourself to new opportunities and new experiences especially with the New Year coming up.

Why not make the next year one of your best years ever?

Go on your first bicycle tour! Go see the world and tell us all about your experience. I would love to hear about it!

Do you have a tour planned for next year? Share your plans with us in the comments below.