Expeditions vs Tours

[Crankarm]

Tour = Something organised or planned by other people where sleeping is in pre-booked places
Expedition = You do the organisation and the planning and you have no idea where your sleeping bag will be tonight.

Nope, I tour for a couple of weeks on my own with only a rough idea of where I am going without a definite idea of where I will be staying the next night. I wouldn't call this an expedition. It is more a casual journey principally for enjoyment which may include some physical exertion eg cycle touring in the UK or other similarly developed countries.

An expedition is where you are going off the beaten track where you need to be self sufficient for an extended period of time ideally something which is of considerable physical and mental challenge of stamina and endurance. There may or may not be extensive planning, but be mindful that failure to prepare then prepare to fail.

 

[Yellow7]

Some interesting feedback on this thread. I’d always referred to my Cape Town tour as a tour, not an expedition. Sure I was off the beaten track at times and never new where I’d be at the end of the day, or if visa’s would be granted (Angola!), I’d say it was a bicycle adventure more than anything though. My next tour “To Singapore and maybe more” (possibly onto Oz / NZ) is still viewed in the same light, this starts next May.

 

[barnesy]

You'll need more than 2 weeks riding a loaded bike before hand. Have you done any touring with the amount of kit you will be carrying? Will you be carrying camping or cooking equipment which adds significantly to weight? Also you will need warm clothing for Alaska which again will increase weight and volume. Have you done a pre-tour tour?

I have done 4 previous tours, ranging from 500 to 1000 miles. These have all been with camping and cooking kit. As said i have a 3 week tour coming up in October in which i plan to cycle fully loaded round Ireland and up to John O'Groats. I will be riding a loaded bike each day until the day I go, I commute 16 miles daily and often carry excess stuff in my panniers for no good reason.

I know clothing will add alot of weight, i will need to be prepared for temperature ranges of up to +50c in Death Valley and as low as -20c in the high Andes.

Re thinking it last night, I have often regarded it just as a "long distance tour", someone who effectively is homeless and lives on their bike with all of their possessions for a long period of time where as a tour is essentially a holiday. I will have no job, girlfriend, car and very little possessions to come home to

 

[Crackle]

Fantastic - sounds like a great adventure

That's a word I'd use for either a tour or an expedition and is key to both.

 

[snorri]

I will have no job, girlfriend, car and very little possessions to come home to

Think positive, home is where the heart is, you might meet the love of your life and not want to come back to your starting point.

 

[andy_spacey]

I tour for you could be a expedition for someone else. Its what it means to you.

 

[hondated]

I think Ian may be too modest to mention it but just in case you are not aware this is a great site for information and support
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/
Please keep us all informed of your progress and you may at some time want to attend the HU annual meeting to do a presentation on your travels and at the same time offer advice to those that maybe considering doing it themselves.

 

[Jmenorton]

Strange one, id have roughly said an expedition is something tht takes months or years and to far flung locations rather than a tour which would seem more local or somehow easier.

Im planning an "expedition" of my own, from Alaska to Argentina and over to Cape Town, I will cycle the length of Africa and home through the Middle East. During which i will not only be cycling but also Hiking, sailing across the Atlantic and hopefully climbing and canoeing.

Ive referred to this as both a "tour" and an "expedition". Ive always used expedition to describe it to potential sponsors as it sounds more impressive.

Early stage site can be seen here: www.thebigcycle.com

Wow that looks mental, just bookmarked the site, i think the blog section of the site might get a little bit hard to keep up with in the scroll window format though. Good look, hope everything goes ahead as scheduled.

 

[Bodhbh]

Tour to me suggests sightseeing, beergardens and cakeshops. An expedition is going a long way outside your comfort zone. But there's alot grey area in between and they are only labels anyhow.

Alistair Humphrey's did make the interesting point that anyone can go on mini-adventures without going off around the world for years - and it could be something simple like walking home for Christmas instead of driving.

 

[doog]

You'll need more than 2 weeks riding a loaded bike before hand.

but thats the beauty of touring - you dont . As long have your cycling legs about you, you can adapt within a day or two. My bike never sees its panniers until the night before the off.

 

[TheDoctor]

but thats the beauty of touring - you dont . As long have your cycling legs about you, you can adapt within a day or two. My bike never sees its panniers until the night before the off.

My bike was still in bits the night before, last tour I did!
Only a long weekend, but even so...

 

[BigonaBianchi]

Perhaps an expedition is to boldly.go where no sane cyclist has gone.before.

 

[hoopdriver]

I think an expedition is a trek that involves not only longer distances and a high degree of self reliance but enough time that you essentially become a sort f citizen of the road. For example I spent nine months pedalling around Australia, about 10,000 miles in all, and over the course of the ride spent much time staying in, and coming to know, aboriginal communities, cattle stations, sheep stations, minng camps, etc. etc. Although I am not keen on these sorts of labels - especially the hoary old traveler vs tourist debate - this particular trip seemed to me to be an expedition, whereas other cycling jaunts I have made - a straight shot across America, LEJOG, London-Istanbul to name a few I have always referred to as tours.

But really, what's in a name?

 

[suffolkcindy]

For me an expedition has a definite aim like an expedition to somewhere to achieve something...whereas a tour has that wandering element...
Personally i dont think i do either. I like to explore on my bike so i dont like to fix a route or even know too much about a place beforehand. Its all very personal stuff isnt it.
As others have said, it will be an adventure i wish you lots of enjoyment

 

[BigonaBianchi]

Surely expeditions need to include long beards, frostbite, starvation, cannabalism and pipe smoking?