Originally Posted by
Tourist in MSN
On the topic of ACA - Over a decade ago, I was planning a solo tour in and around Glacier National Park. And I went to the ACA website to see what they had for pertinent maps. I noticed that they had a tour scheduled for about the same time I planned to go out there. Thought about it for a couple days and decided to sign up for the ACA tour instead of doing it on my own. That was in 2012. I chose to do their trip simply because it meant that I did not have to worry about logistics. Mostly stayed in campgrounds, no van support. Officially there were two guides but in practice there was one guide, the guide's wife did not do any of the guiding chores. I had a good trip and do not regret paying for the higher cost. That was my first experience with ACA.
Our first breakfast was indoors, our bikes lined up below:
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I hated to go that far for only a week and then rush home. I was retired, so I had spare time. I went out several days early, rode solo to the park and camped in a hiker biker site in Glacier for three nights, then rode back to Whitefish to meet the group.
But I did learn that their food group procedure of breaking up into groups to do the cooking, that meant a lot of carb loading. I have diabetes and the high carb, minimal protein played havoc with my blood sugar. That is my main complaint about ACA trips. Other trips I have done with other organizations were much more nutritious because the other tour groups put some effort and money into the food.
I did one more trip with ACA, that one was camping, van supported, same problem with the food.
Other than my food issues with them, I have not had enough interaction with ACA to have had any complaints.
My first ever unsupported tour was their 1999 Northern Tier--Seattle to Bar Harbor. Prior to that, I had only done supported tours across PA where you slept in colleges and universities and had never camped in my life. It was a learning experience to say the least. Perhaps the most important thing I learned was to never go on a long trip with anyone you don't know well.
The organization did a great job replacing our leader in Minneapolis after he didn't work out. His replacement was terrific but could only stay until Booneville, NY. His replacement was equally as good. The following year, I crossed paths with their North Star tour in Glacier while I was riding from Seattle to Cortez, CO. We all camped at Sprague Creek. The leader was a great guy named, believe it or not, Guy. He invited me to join them for dinner. I gave them the skinny on the next day's climb up to Logan Pass, which we had done the year before. As I was on line to fill my bowl with chili, I overheard one tour participant ask Guy if I had "bummed dinner" from them. He politely explained to her that he had invited me. It wouldn't be the first time I, as a single guy in his mid-30s traveling alone, was viewed with suspicion.
In 2010 I did their Cycle Vermont supported camping trip. Aside from the caterer not being carb-focussed, it was well run. Crossed paths with their Cycle Montana tour in 2014 and 2016. Camped with them in 2016 and was invited to breakfast. Seemed to be well run. One of the leaders and three of the participants had been participants on 2010 Vermont trip. One of them was originally from Louisiana and had a loud voice and distinctive accent. She, her husband, and a female friend were real characters. The GF and I referred to them as "The Dream Team". I remember hearing loud talking as I was pitching my tent. I immediately stood up and thought "I know that voice!" Couldn't wait to text the GF.
The night before the start at the Seattle HI.
Rural ND on July 4th.
A few of us ended up talking to school kids somewhere in rural IL.