Touring - Adventure Cycling Intro to Touring

I am considering checking out Adventure Cycling's Intro to Touring this summer.

http://www.adventurecycling.org/tours/tourdetail.cfm?t=EDU12&id=316&p=1

I have not done any touring and would like some input from people who have done it. I am interested in thoughts and experiences.

You really need to ask a specific question. You can't reasonably expect everyone to sit down and type out for you their entire history of bicycle touring.

Browse this forum, there's lots of information. Or try the crazyguyonabike website, there are all sort of hints and tips there, as well as a gazillion blogs of individual tours.

You really need to ask a specific question.

I think the specific question was whether anyone had attended one of Adventure Cycling's "Intro to Road Touring" tours. At least that is what I think they meant.

I apologize if I was not clear. As I was referencing a particular link and tour, I guess I assumed that folks would realize that I was not asking for the history of touring in the world. ;-) I apologize for any confusion.

Let's try again-

As an inexperienced touring cyclist, I am considering checking out Adventure Cycling's Intro to Touring this summer.

http://www.adventurecycling.org/tour...U12&id=316&p=1

I would like some input from people who have done this introductory tour. If you have done it, how did you like it? Did you find it helpful or worthwhile? Anything else you would like to add that would be helpful would be appreciated.

I apologize if I was not clear. As I was referencing a particular link and tour, I guess I assumed that folks would realize that I was not asking for the history of touring in the world. ;-) I apologize for any confusion.

Let's try again-

As an inexperienced touring cyclist, I am considering checking out Adventure Cycling's Intro to Touring this summer.

http://www.adventurecycling.org/tour...U12&id=316&p=1

I would like some input from people who have done this introductory tour. If you have done it, how did you like it? Did you find it helpful or worthwhile? Anything else you would like to add that would be helpful would be appreciated.

Why not just contact ACA and ask for references? Hopefully they would have someone close to you, but if not I'm sure they could put you in contact with some past participants.

This course is listed as "self-contained" as they define that term. Click on the internal link and see what that involves. Unless there is something different about this particular offering, you have to have most of the basic gear you need for a self-contained camping tour. I.e., a suitable touring bike, racks and panniers (or a trailer), sleeping bag, tent, mattress, personal eating utensils and bowl/plate/cup. They supply group cooking gear. I would ask ACA if this is correct. If it is, understand that you could make a relatively large investment only to discover that you don't like self-contained touring of this type. \

I see no reason to take this course if you envision yourself doing only supported tours.