This year adventure travel leader REI is doubling the number of cycling adventures to more than 40 itineraries to satisfy the growing interest of people who want to explore the world by two wheels.
Because riding with confidence among a group is an important quality of an amazing experience, eBikes are now part of the base price of REI’s North America cycle tours, where legally allowed. For those who prefer to journey with their own gear, a BYOB (bring your own bike) option is also now available. BYOB and eBikes are available on select international departures in 2019, expanding more next year.
With a trip for every kind of rider – road riding, mountain biking and gravel riding – with varying fitness levels, cyclists tour with small, fully-hosted groups with the expertise of local guides and a support team. The full assortment of the co-op’s tours, including 20 new itineraries, is now live at https://www.rei.com/adventures/h/cycling.
“For more than 30 years, we have hosted thousands of cyclists on human-powered active vacations. In just the first few months of 2019, our cycling tours are up over 30 percent,” said Justin Wood, senior manager of adventure travel at REI. “Through our dramatic expansion in the number of itineraries and innovation to serve all travelers regardless of ability and gear preference, anyone can experience the pure, exhilarating joy of a cycling tour off the beaten path.”
New and refreshed itineraries in North America and overseas
As with every REI trip, the co-op’s cycling tours create lasting memories thanks to small groups of inspired travelers and amazing local guides who have exceptional knowledge and passion for a destination’s culture and history.
This year, REI will offer 19 cycling tours in North America that range in length from three to 10 days across the American Southwest to the Pacific Northwest.
For example, travelers can explore the San Juan Islands during San Juan Islands Weekend Cycling. The four-day journey is an extended weekend getaway highlighting the best riding and camping on Washington’s famed San Juan Islands. Cyclists enjoy quiet roads of San Juan, Lopez and Orcas islands, surrounded by snowcapped peaks and scores of marine mammals and shorebirds on the craggy coastline. Adventurers camp under the starry Pacific Northwest sky, indulging in a nightly campfire and locally-sourced, organic meals prepared fresh daily by the guides.
Other North America trips include Moab, Arches & Grand Junction Cycling; Yellowstone to Glacier Cycling; California Wine Country – Solvang Cycling; Big Sur & Pacific Coast Cycling; California Wine Country –Sonoma Cycling; Bryce & Capitol Reef Gravel Riding; Arizona Sonoran Desert Cycling; Zion & Bryce Canyon Cycling; Victoria & Gulf Islands Cycling; Death Valley Cycling; Grand Canyon Mountain Biking; Whistler Mountain Biking; Arizona Sonoran Desert Mountain Biking; Zion & Bryce Canyon Cycling; Death Valley Weekend Cycling and more.
Overseas, the REI has hosted tours throughout its rich history where guests immerse themselves in the sights, history, sounds and culinary delights to truly experience a region. For many years, the travel leader’s most sought out adventures include France Cycling – the Loire Valley, Vienna to Prague Cycling, and Vietnam Cycling. Late last year, the co-op introduced a nine-day trip called Southern Africa Mountain Biking and Safari – Zululand to Mozambique. Not available by any other travel company, the unique itinerary quickly sparked the interest of REI’s members.
One of REI’s newest adventures is Spain Cycling – Heart of Andalucía, the quintessential Spanish cycling experience. The route from Seville to Granada is a cyclist’s dream – a seven-day spin past ancient roman ruins, picturesque white villages, and olive groves as far as the eye can see. Highlights include cycling the “olive oil route” from Zuheros to Jaén with 60 million olive trees and riding over an iron bridge engineered by Gustave Eiffel, visiting historical cities (Aracena, Córdoba, Úbeda) and sites (Alhambra of Granada and the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba), and of course, food and wine such as Jamón Ibérico de Bellota (dry cured ham), organic olive oil, gazpacho, fresh vegetables, wild mushrooms, paella, tapas, fresh cheese, and tuna.
Additional international adventures include Colombia Cycling; Royal Rajasthan Cycling; New Zealand Biking – Trails of the South Island; Ireland Coastal Cycling; Tuscany Cycling; Prague to Budapest Cycling; Croatia Cycling; and Saigon to Angkor Cycling.
Co-op’s investments in cycling: premium brands and easier accessibility
REI’s cycle tour expansion builds on the co-op’s announcement and major investment to grow participation and the market, including new national partnerships with Bontrager and Cannondale. REI has also added full-suspension mountain bikes to its in-house Co-op Cycles line and bicycle services and local experiences for customers through an expanded bike rental program and pilot trade-in program.
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