My first cycling trip

[71feline]

Hi! I'm new to cycling and planning on taking a guided cycling tour of the Balkans. I'm having a hard time finding a company that has an extensive user review history online. Does anyone have recommendations on a reputable, professional guided cycling tour company? The two I've narrowed down are Intrepid Travel and Roar Adventures. I'm a very fit jogger with a high level of stamina but with little experience on a bike, so I'm looking at a guided 7 to 14 day riding tour. Any input, thoughts, advice or comments would be very much appreciated. Thank you!
Terri

 

[simonthread]

I know a bit about the people behind the Trans Dinarica route, so I would trust the companies they recommend as TD operators:

https://www.transdinarica.com/official-tour-operators/

Maybe you’ll find there a company that can help you?

S.

 

[PaulSB]

I have friends who have used Saddle Skedaddle for several different tours and found them very good. When you say "guided" do you expect a ride leader with you at all times and a group ride? Saddle Skedaddle, I'm told, don't work this way, everyone rides at their own pace meeting at predetermined spots along the way.

Saddle Skedaddle: Cycling Holidays, Tours & Breaks https://share.google/rzw5eqz3PskZFvTzZ

 

[71feline]

I know a bit about the people behind the Trans Dinarica route, so I would trust the companies they recommend as TD operators:

https://www.transdinarica.com/official-tour-operators/

Maybe you’ll find there a company that can help you?

S.

Hi S (Simon?),
Thank you very much for the TransD site link. Their listed operators seem so much better/authentic than the stuff I've found so far on my own and surprised that they're focusing on the Balkans, which is sort of in the margins w/re to travel destinations.
Take care and thanks again!
Terri

 

[71feline]

I have friends who have used Saddle Skedaddle for several different tours and found them very good. When you say "guided" do you expect a ride leader with you at all times and a group ride? Saddle Skedaddle, I'm told, don't work this way, everyone rides at their own pace meeting at predetermined spots along the way.

Saddle Skedaddle: Cycling Holidays, Tours & Breaks https://share.google/rzw5eqz3PskZFvTzZ

HI PaulSB,

Since I've never been on a cycling tour before, I'm worried about all manner of things going wrong due to my lack of experience so I wanted a ride leader as well as a support van that follows the group, picking up defeated riders like crumpled water cups along a marathon route. That said, what your talking about actually suits my personality better as I don't like travelling in groups. I'm definitely going to look into Saddle Skedaddle to see if there's something that fits my newbie status. Thanks so much for the suggestion, I really appreciate it!
Terri

 

[PaulSB]

@71feline - happy to help. Reading your response some other comments. Cycle touring in any form is, for me, the finest cycling we can experience. I've ridden a few tours and the joy of travelling solo, no one else around, is wonderful. Saying that my age means my next tour will be with a supported group - at 71 heading off into the wilds of a foreign country solo isn't a good plan!!!! A few years back when riding locally we bumped into a Saddle Skedaddle group on the Lands End to John o' Groats tour - they all seemed very happy and impressed with the company.

I can't recommend the company as I have no direct experience. However I've been aware of them for perhaps 10 years and rode, solo, about two-thirds of their St Malo >Nice route - it was very good. In that time the comments and views I've heard have convinced me my next touring holiday will be with Skedaddle - I've even identified which route! Hope you have a great time.

 

[TomDW]

A friend hired from this company in Split. bikes were Ok. The issue with "cycling holidays" is that the word "cycle" adds about 50% to the price i.e. compared to a hiking holiday for example. Just to warn you.

Bike Rental Croatia

 

[MichaelW2]

Slovenia is technically Balkan but with a Middele European feel. Varied terrain and good hearty food. Lots of good cycle facilities and local support from good bike shops for easy independent travel. There are plenty of local touring support companied . I mostly stayed at Tourist Farms usually booked around lunchtime that day.

 

[simonthread]

Since I've never been on a cycling tour before [...]

Terri, the Balkans are definitely too demanding a region for a first cycling trip.

Maybe it’s better to think about routes like the Loire? Or the Rhine in Switzerland - following the river, though not exactly easy either? Or the Drava route in Austria?

 

[HelenD123]

Make sure you get accustomed to sitting on a bike seat for hours otherwise you'll have a miserable holiday.

 

[PaulSB]

Make sure you get accustomed to sitting on a bike seat for hours otherwise you'll have a miserable holiday.

This is a very good point. Whatever daily distance the tour offers try to ride this at home on at least two, ideally three, consecutive days.

You'll soon now if you're ready for a tour.

 

[mikeIow]

This is a very good point. Whatever daily distance the tour offers try to ride this at home on at least two, ideally three, consecutive days.

You'll soon now if you're ready for a tour.

Absolutely the best advice here 👍
Get out doing some pedalling, and when you can string 3 days together of the distances you might be doing, *and* feel the next day that you could repeat it, *then* you’re ready for a multi-day bike holiday 💪
I would agree with starting with a closer place - France is lovely for cycling in, but even Britain can work very well.

Good luck!

 

[oxoman]

Good luck with wherever you choose to ride. I sometimes think we can overthink ride fitness etc. I've ridden various multi day ride both with a group and solo but all UK based. I think if your reasonably fit and your backside is comfortable you'll be OK. These are tours not races so you ride at a steadier pace. I've used Skedaddle, Pedalpower, Cycleactive and Glorious Gravel and can't say anything bad about them. They provide the routes and depending on what your riding they will provide feed stops. C2C they tend to let you do your own feed stops and only turn up for baggage transfers or breakdowns if contacted. Have done some unsupported multi day trips as well and the planning and packing can be daunting to start with. Eitherway enjoy.

 

[Jameshow]

Don't know anything about organised tours.

But I think you need to spend time on your bike so that it fits you properly and your contact points:- bum, hands, feet, aren't giving you grief and that you aren't picking up any aches and pains due to poor positioning.