Tips & Advice

Not an Avid Cyclist? Why Our Tours Are Perfect for Casual Riders and Their Partners

by Jamie Gilpin | Oct 17, 2025 | Blog, From The Blog, Guided Tours, Self Guided Tours, Tips & Advice

Think bike tours are only for serious cyclists? Outfitter Bicycle Tours offers flexible routes, eBikes, cultural activities, and boutique stays that make our trips perfect for casual riders, their partners, and anyone who loves...

How to Stay Safe on a Self-Guided Bike Tour

by Jamie Gilpin | Feb 6, 2023 | Blog, From The Blog, Preparation, Self Guided Tours, Tips & Advice

While bike tours are meant to be incredible experiences packed with fun, adventure, and learning, it’s essential to consider your safety and security. Cycling newcomers, those new to touring, and even seasoned cyclists planning excursions in new and unfamiliar locations need to keep a number of important things in...

Getting in Shape for your Bike Tour

by Jamie Gilpin | Mar 19, 2021 | Blog, FAQs, Preparation, Tips & Advice

You’re booked and thrilled for a new adventure! We’re so excited for you! Bike tours will introduce you to new landscapes in a different way than a rental car ever could. You’ll have time to take in all the smells of the Provencal countryside, you’ll be able to see...

Have you met Jamie Gilpin, OBT Owner?

by Jamie Gilpin | Feb 26, 2021 | Blog, Tips & Advice

Haaaave you met Jamie? or Joy? You may have emailed with them about your tour details or sat with with them on the sidelines of the Tour de France waiting for riders to come by. But do you really know them?? They’ve answered a few fun questions and a...

OBT Owner Joy is a joy to know!

by Jamie Gilpin | Feb 26, 2021 | Blog, Tips & Advice

Top 5 Things to do in Cortona

by Jamie Gilpin | Oct 14, 2020 | Blog, Italy, Tips & Advice, Tuscany

Do you know what Tuscan city we don’t talk about nearly enough? Cortona. Cortona is a favorite stop on our Tuscan bike tours. This small hill town has an incredibly rich history. George Dennis, an explorer and Etruscologist, said “You may have traveled far and wide in Italy, but...

What are you reading during the pandemic?

by Jamie Gilpin | Apr 25, 2020 | Blog, COVID-19, Tips & Advice, Update

We’re at home with our young kids so we’ve been attempting to relearn some basic academics and spending a lot of time in the kitchen. We always love to read and we have some family and friends who are at home plowing through their reading lists. We love to...

Physical Wellbeing Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Jamie Gilpin | Apr 13, 2020 | Blog, COVID-19, Preparation, Tips & Advice

We want to know: how are you? Are you being safe and following all the recommended guidelines? Are you checking in on your family and friends that might need a little extra support now? But most importantly…how are you? Are you taking care of yourself? Eating well and staying...

Top 5 Things to do in Florence

by Jamie Gilpin | Jan 27, 2020 | Blog, Italy, Tips & Advice, Tuscany, Update

There are few cities we visit as regularly on our bike tours that have the same historical significance as Florence. The seat of the renaissance, Florence has been the backdrop of countless political and religious struggles. It is also where we start all of our Tuscany tours. There are...

Top 5 Things to do in Asheville off the Bike

by Jamie Gilpin | Nov 25, 2019 | Asheville, Tips & Advice, Update

Asheville is our backyard so you’ll have to forgive us if we talk about it a lot. Besides the bike riding (which is nothing short of amazing), Asheville and the surrounding areas play host to some incredible eats, drinks and history! We know that not everyone likes to sit...