Mountain Bike Tour
12-21-11, 12:11 PM
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Mountain Bike Tour
Apologies if this is in the wrong forum.....
Can anyone help my husband and I find a place for a mountain bike trip?
Here's where we overlap: we both love active vacations. We've done supported long distance hiking trips. We've done several unsupported biking trips. (Mileages in the 20's when we haul the kids along, in the 40's when its just us). We definitely do not want to be part of a group.
Husband has recently gotton into mountain biking and wants to do a mountain biking vacation.
He really wants to do this mountain bike trip in CO that is hut to hut.
I'm pushing for a trip that is supported, in Vermont, and goes from Inn to Inn.
He's not willing to compromise on more exciting scenery than Vermont (doesn't want woods that will seem like we are still in Georgia)
I'm not willing to compromise on running water, and would ideally like some meals I don't have to cook, plus the ability to buy fresh food. I'm also not willing to do biking that is more about the "thrills" and less about the nature. (I've never been on a mountain bike and have no interest in steps and jumps and all that crazy stuff he does with our 12 yo)
Does anyone have any ideas about places, or even companies to look at?
Can anyone help my husband and I find a place for a mountain bike trip?
Here's where we overlap: we both love active vacations. We've done supported long distance hiking trips. We've done several unsupported biking trips. (Mileages in the 20's when we haul the kids along, in the 40's when its just us). We definitely do not want to be part of a group.
Husband has recently gotton into mountain biking and wants to do a mountain biking vacation.
He really wants to do this mountain bike trip in CO that is hut to hut.
I'm pushing for a trip that is supported, in Vermont, and goes from Inn to Inn.
He's not willing to compromise on more exciting scenery than Vermont (doesn't want woods that will seem like we are still in Georgia)
I'm not willing to compromise on running water, and would ideally like some meals I don't have to cook, plus the ability to buy fresh food. I'm also not willing to do biking that is more about the "thrills" and less about the nature. (I've never been on a mountain bike and have no interest in steps and jumps and all that crazy stuff he does with our 12 yo)
Does anyone have any ideas about places, or even companies to look at?
12-21-11, 01:38 PM
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12-21-11, 01:53 PM
#3
Hooked on Touring
Do you have passports? Why not do the Canadian Rockies??
Also, you never say whether you are taking the kids and how long you have to do it.
There are basic hostels every 30 miles or so - fancy ones with cafes in the major towns.
Plus there are upscale accommodations going all the way to the Chateau Lake Louise.
The Icefields Parkway is paved - but there are many unpaved trails and fireroads.
Unlike U.S. national parks, you can mountain bike in the backcountry.
If you have a chunk of time I would suggest Glacier NP in the U.S. to Jasper.
Less time - Kananaskis to Jasper. A week - Banff to Jasper.
https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/p..._id=26439&v=Nx
Also, you never say whether you are taking the kids and how long you have to do it.
There are basic hostels every 30 miles or so - fancy ones with cafes in the major towns.
Plus there are upscale accommodations going all the way to the Chateau Lake Louise.
The Icefields Parkway is paved - but there are many unpaved trails and fireroads.
Unlike U.S. national parks, you can mountain bike in the backcountry.
If you have a chunk of time I would suggest Glacier NP in the U.S. to Jasper.
Less time - Kananaskis to Jasper. A week - Banff to Jasper.
https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/p..._id=26439&v=Nx
12-21-11, 03:02 PM
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First suggestions ..... no toilets, no way!.... 
Should have mentioned. No kids, as I don't think a trailer would be practical. So I have to make this good, as we don't get a lot of vacations that are just the two of us. Last one was California road biking and it was awesome. We do have passports, but I think getting out west is too expensive and too time consuming for the 5-6 day break that we can manage.
Has anyone done the C and O canal from DC? It's close enough and has real accomodation off the trail. It won't have the height that my husband might be after, but if its scenic enough, it might be a good choice. Besides, I don't know how we balance his desire for awesome scenery with mine for no crazy biking terrain.
Should have mentioned. No kids, as I don't think a trailer would be practical. So I have to make this good, as we don't get a lot of vacations that are just the two of us. Last one was California road biking and it was awesome. We do have passports, but I think getting out west is too expensive and too time consuming for the 5-6 day break that we can manage.
Has anyone done the C and O canal from DC? It's close enough and has real accomodation off the trail. It won't have the height that my husband might be after, but if its scenic enough, it might be a good choice. Besides, I don't know how we balance his desire for awesome scenery with mine for no crazy biking terrain.
12-21-11, 04:09 PM
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Dear Ellen:
I just took my first real self supported cycling vaction in Quebec this summer. They have 4000 km of trails (over 2500 miles) from flat road to almost wilderness. It is called the Green Route and National Geographic magazine listed it as the best bicycle vaction in the whole world. There is a book you can buy which lists every bike shop, accomadation, public transportation and restaurant. It also lists sights along the way. When I took my trip I did it without one reservation and a just a general idea of where I wanted to go. I took AMTARC and my ticket from Philadelphia was only $ 62.00 to Montreal. I stayed in everthing from hostels to deluxe B&B's and did not have any problems. Well, it did rain a lot and hurricane Irene kept me in Quebec City longer than I had anticipated. Almost everybody spoke English (even in small villages) and I was treated very well. I am definatly going back to Quebec for more cycling.
John
I just took my first real self supported cycling vaction in Quebec this summer. They have 4000 km of trails (over 2500 miles) from flat road to almost wilderness. It is called the Green Route and National Geographic magazine listed it as the best bicycle vaction in the whole world. There is a book you can buy which lists every bike shop, accomadation, public transportation and restaurant. It also lists sights along the way. When I took my trip I did it without one reservation and a just a general idea of where I wanted to go. I took AMTARC and my ticket from Philadelphia was only $ 62.00 to Montreal. I stayed in everthing from hostels to deluxe B&B's and did not have any problems. Well, it did rain a lot and hurricane Irene kept me in Quebec City longer than I had anticipated. Almost everybody spoke English (even in small villages) and I was treated very well. I am definatly going back to Quebec for more cycling.
John
