Tour and Micro-Tour Primer

In-Progress Jan 2024

Welcome to my attempt to get you ready for a Tour or Micro-Tour with us here at 718.

I will launch this document by saying this (this is an observation after taking many many people on over 100 trips}:

"Its not about the bike, it's not about your gear and its not about your fitness level" (this is easy for me to say, but I feel it's true)

It seems that it is human nature to throw barriers in front of ourselves.. I can't tell you how many people will come in to the shop and say things like, "when I get in better shape....", or "when I get a better bike, I'll join you guys".

This whole program is about you having the desire to do this.  On any trip, we have a sizeable percentage of folks who have never done this before. This is a learning environment, and this is how you learn.

This guide will be divided into 5 parts:

  1. The Bike
  2. The Gear
  3. The Ride
  4. Camping
  5. Safety

1. The Bike

To be frank, a bike with gears and a rear rack is pretty much all most people need to get the job done.  I have seen MANY exceptions to this rule (we've had someone on a fixie with flip-flops and a backpack, folding bikes, English 3-speeds, recumbents and on and on)

2. The Gear

We post Packing Lists here, so you can get an idea of what might be needed. The biggest items in terms of volume tend to be tent and sleeping bag.

3. The Ride

  • Maps
  • Group Ride Guide

4. Camping

In-Progress

5. Safety

I have created an entire Safety Page to outline how important safety is to our ides.