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CYCLING ABILITY LEVELS

We rate our bicycle tours into the following categories:  Easy, Intermediate or Challenging.  These categories are intended as an approximate guide to assist you in determining the skill and ability necessary to participate in a particular tour.  While most of our bicycle tours can accommodate riders of varying skill and fitness levels, you'll have more fun if you're riding within your abilities.  We utilize as many low-traffic roads as possible, but the use of some roads with medium or heavy amounts of traffic is unavoidable.

Easy Cycling Ability Level
Tours suited for those in average recreational cycling condition, who exercise on a regular basis and have a basic understanding of their bicycle (braking, shifting, etc) and the rules of the road.  However, you do not need to be an avid cyclist to participate in these tours.  The terrain is mostly flat with some rolling hills; the routes average 40 miles per day for France and 30-50 miles per day for Wisconsin.  Example:  Loire Valley Bike tour, WI Weekender

Intermediate Cycling Ability Level
Tours suited for those in good cycling condition, who exercise on a regular basis, are able to ride 3 to 6 hours at a comfortable pace and are familiar with hill climbing.  Overall knowledge of your bicycle and the rules of the road is a MUST.  The terrain is flat to rolling, with some short, steep climbs; the routes average 60 miles per day for WI and 40 miles per day for France.  Example:  Bike Northwoods Tour, SAGBRAW™, Provence Bike Tour

Challenging Cycling Ability Level
Tours suited for avid cyclists in excellent condition, able to ride about 4 to 7 hours comfortably and enjoy challenging climbs. Overall knowledge of your bicycle and the rules of the road is a MUST.  The terrain includes major hills or series of longer, steeper, strenuous climbs; the routes average 70 miles per day with optional, additional mileage available.  Example:  GRABAAWR®

Note
Other factors, such as weather, can influence how hard or how easy your tour experience will be.  Conditions such as rain, heat, and wind will all have an effect on your ride and extremes of each may make it more difficult to enjoy.  Always be prepared.

We highly recommend that you know how to change a tire and perform basic bicycle repairs before attending a tour or attend with someone who has these capabilities.  SAG vehicles are available and just a phone call away, however, if you don’t want to wait for the SAG to arrive, the know-how to make these minor repairs will put you back on your bicycle sooner.

Enjoy the ride!