| Mountain bikers don't just like ordinary vacations - they | | | | an injury. |
| want to take mountain bike holidays, where they can | | | | Self guided tours, on the other hand, are exactly what |
| get out and try out trails that they don't often get the | | | | they sound like - self guided. The touring company |
| opportunity to try out. They also enjoy mountain bike | | | | makes all of the arrangements for you to get to the |
| holidays because they get to experience cultures, | | | | destination where you will ride - but no guide |
| challenges, and scenery that simply isn't common place | | | | accompanies you. You are not guided on the trails in |
| to their lives. It's no wonder that touring companies | | | | most cases either. This means that you need to have |
| have started offering mountain bike holidays in almost | | | | the necessary experience to deal with any situations |
| every imaginable destination in the world! | | | | that may arise, such as injuries or breakdowns, and |
| Even bike manufacturers are getting in on the action. | | | | you need to be able to read a map well. You may |
| Trek has Trek Travel, which specializes in - you | | | | also need to do some investigating to determine |
| guessed it - mountain bike vacations and tours. Fisher | | | | where you may and may not ride - especially in a |
| Bikes has also started offering tour packages - with | | | | foreign country! Beginner mountain bikers typically do |
| Gary Fisher as your friendly guide! Other | | | | not have the necessary experience, and need to stick |
| manufacturers are sure to follow in the very near | | | | to guided tours for the time being. |
| future - because there is a definite market for | | | | If you have never been on a tour of any type, it is a |
| mountain bike holidays! | | | | good idea to know what you are getting into before |
| Travel agents are another good source for finding | | | | booking the tour. Some tours consist of only you, your |
| mountain bike vacation packages, but they usually don't | | | | guide, and other members of your party - such as |
| offer what touring companies - which are not the | | | | your friends or family members. Other tours consist of |
| same as travel agencies - can offer. Touring | | | | you, the guide, and other people who have signed up |
| companies typically offer guided tours, but many offer | | | | for the tour - strangers. It is important to know what |
| self-guided tours as well. Depending on where you | | | | the arrangement is before booking the tour. |
| want to go, and what your level of experience is, a | | | | You also need to know what is expected of you on |
| self-guided tour may be more enjoyable than a guided | | | | the tour. Most tours provide the bikes, and they are |
| tour. However, if you are inexperienced, or if you are | | | | usually top of the line bikes. Some companies will allow |
| going to a foreign country, you should strongly consider | | | | you to bring your own bike, but in most cases, you will |
| a guided tour. | | | | be responsible for your own bike. Your food may or |
| The tour guides are usually well trained, and they know | | | | may not be provided as part of the package. Again, it |
| the places that they will be leading you like the back of | | | | is vital that you find out all this information before |
| their hands. You won't have to worry about getting lost | | | | booking the tour. |
| or not finding the most challenging trails for your skill | | | | For your next vacation, you should definitely contact |
| level - the guide has all of that information. These | | | | some of the touring companies about mountain bike |
| guides typically know what is acceptable, and what is | | | | holidays to see if there is a trip that interests you. |
| unacceptable, in the areas that they often ride in, in | | | | Vacations are about more than just sightseeing - |
| terms of dealing with the locals - especially in foreign | | | | adventure is the key to a fabulous vacation that you |
| countries. These guides are also well equipped to deal | | | | will never forget! |
| with emergencies - whether it is a bike breakdown or | | | | |