Are you overwhelmed with the idea of a self-guided tour? Or, are you not completely sure what a self-guided tour is? Or, are you curious what makes our self-guided tours so special? OBT Self-Guided Bicycle Tours are not the typical “self-guided” tour. Often referred to as “Independent Supported Tours,” our self-guided tours are fun, fulfilling, and stress-free! We take care of everything for you – except pedaling the bike, of course. (That said, eBikes with pedal assist are available!)
Our self-guided bicycle tours are a cut above, and anything but “self-guided.” You won’t do any of the heavy logistical planning of your bike vacation. You, our guest, come to us with dates and cycling dreams and we take care of the rest! Picking a tour from our tour calendar isn’t necessary – we are on your schedule! During our self-guided tours, guests are given the same great service as on our guided tours, but without a support vehicle following closely nearby. A concierge/guide is a phone call away, and can assist as needed. Read on for more information.
Custom, curated and private self-guided tours.
These tours are perfect for romantic getaways, group trips and family vacations. Your group is self-selected, and we can handle any number of guests – from 1 to 15 and even beyond. You have the room to grow and bond together without a guide right at hand.
What if we want to add a day?
The itineraries on our website are merely suggestions. Use them to create your own vacation. Add a day or three, go in another direction from our route, or stay in one village an extra night. Even upgrade the hotel accommodation! We can work with you to create your dream vacation. We try to accommodate each and every request!
What if we get a flat?
A local concierge will take care of you throughout the tour. We prefer to call them “concierges” because they are actively involved with your tour and help curate special experiences on and off the bike. Our guides are actually local – not guides shipped into your destination to take care of guests. They greet you at the beginning of the tour, ensure that luggage is transferred from hotel to hotel, and are always a phone call away for assistance. Have a flat? Lost on the road? Need help finding a great place for lunch? Just give them a call and they will assist. They even come out on the road if necessary. Additionally, they are also great resources for off-bike activities.
Won’t we get lost without a guide???
Routing is provided three ways! Just like learning math in school, each of us has certain ways to absorb and translate riding directions and routing. That is why we provide three different methods of routing on our tours:
1) GPS course downloads for your GPS unit,
2) traditional cue sheet
3) written prose describing each turn and the surrounding area.
In addition, all of our routes are accessible and usable from the RideWithGPS app! There is no better way to follow your route. The app will even talk to you and give you directions!
These methods are then supported by a roadmap (in most destinations local-area Michelin Maps are provided). Follow the route the way you prefer, and your chances of getting lost are very small. We also provide GPS units standard for our self-guided tours in Asheville, Provence, and Tuscany.
The upside is that Self-Guided bicycle tours give you the ultimate in flexibility with your cycling vacation. Name the tour dates, accommodation level, riding difficulty, and customize nearly every aspect of the tour.
This is your vacation! Make sure you do it your way!
