Bicycle Adventures is expanding its guided cycling trip offerings in 2017 with new road bike, mountain bike, and hiking tours. Added excursions include three road bike trips in Croatia, Scotland and Montana; five mountain bike trips in Washington, Slovenia, and Peru; and a hiking tour in Washington.
New for 2017:
- Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula (Nine days, $4,898): A road bike adventure around the coastline and gentle hills of the Istrian Peninsula. Bikers will see Roman ruins, taste Istrian wines at one of the best local cellars, kayak the Lim Fjord, and enjoy tastings of the region’s finest meats and cheeses.
- Scotland Road Bike (Seven days, $3,998): Designed for intermediate to advanced riders who will travel through both farmland and forest. Guests visit the historical Drumlanrig Castle, known for its Renaissance architecture; explore the countryside of Dumfries and Galloway; ride around the Isle of Arran; and sample Scotland’s best craft beer and whiskey.
- Montana’s Big Sky Country (Six days, $2,052): This road bike journey, best suited for intermediate to advanced riders, travels down Route 1, along the Missouri River to Three Forks, through Big Hole Valley and across the Continental Divide, with soaking time in local hot springs as a reward. Guests can also hike the Lemhi Pass, made famous by Lewis and Clark.
- Mountain Bike Peru (Nine days, $3,350): Advanced riders will travel through the Sacred Valley of the Inca (across ancient stairways and hanging bridges), experiencing the historic villages of the Peruvian Andes, including Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
- Mountain Bike Leavenworth ‘Green’ (Five days, $1,748): Designed for novice riders, the tour starts off on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Range in Washington. Guests can bike free of cars in the Cashmere/Mission Range area, take a chairlift up Hogsback with their bikes, and then cruise down any of the trails suited for their comfort level.
- Mountain Bike Leavenworth ‘Black’ (Five days, $1,748): For more advanced riders, the tour is full of climbs and descents through the Cashmere and Mission Ridge, and the world-renown Stevens Pass Bike Park, the only place in Washington that offers lift-accessed riding. On the last day, guests will be transported west of the town of Ellensburg, where they can ride a maze of single-track trails.
- Washington High Cascades (Seven days, $2,598): The advanced tour gives mountain bikers a taste of some of Seattle’s most challenging trails including the Rat Pat, a four-mile downhill trail full of gravity drops and jumps; Esmeralda Peaks; and Angels Staircase, commonly thought of as the most challenging Washington Classic trail.
- E-Mountain Bike Slovenia (Nine days, $3,142): A tour for all skill levels, riders travel on electric-assist mountain bikes through Triglav National Park, home to Slovenia’s highest peak. Riders explore the region’s most secluded valleys and small alpine villages, while climbing the slopes of the Julian Alps.
- Mt. Rainer National Park Hiking (Five days, $2,236): A scenic exploration around Mount Rainer for views of the Cascade Mountain Range, the Olympic Mountains, and the Puget Sound. Guests will get a personal look into the national park through the eyes of expert naturalist Chad Maurer; hike to Mount St. Helens and the Skyline Trail; and spend two nights at the Paradise Inn.
Bicycle Adventures also revamped several existing road bike trips for the 2017 lineup, including the Hawaii Six-Day Bike Tour, the San Juan Islands Six-Day Bike Tour, the Bend Breakaway, and the Mountains to Sound Bike Tour.
Most excursions allow for a maximum of 13 guests, and are led by two expert tour guides. Full van and luggage support is offered, as is transportation to and from the airport, biking equipment, lodging, some activities, and most meals.
Each new tour will be $200 off, when booked between now and December 31.
All detailed itineraries can be found online at www.bicycleadventures.com/destinations.