Andalusia (8 days individual)
Hardly any other landscape evokes such fascinating pictures as Andalusia - a Flamenco dancer in a flowing red dress, white villages enthroned in the rocks, Moorish style filigree palaces and gloriously dressed bullfighters in sold out arenas.

Available 2006 dates: Available from April 1 to October 28
Length: 8 Days/7 Nights
Cost: $832; please note that per person rates do not include the following discount...
Discount: Eurofun Touristik is offering a $10 discount exclusively for BicyclingWorld.com members who book this tour in March. Just mention BicyclingWorld.com when registering.

Bolzano - Verona - Venice (8 days individual)
Famous cities such as Verona, Vicenza and Venice are either stage destinations or located on the way. They promise an extremely interesting bike tour.

Available 2006 dates: Available from April 15 to September 30
Length: 8 Days/7 Nights
Cost: $832; please note that per person rates do not include the following discount...
Discount: Eurofun Touristik is offering a $10 discount exclusively for BicyclingWorld.com members who book this tour in March. Just mention BicyclingWorld.com when registering.

Brittany Mont St. Michel Bicycle Tour
Located in Brittany France, and following the Emerald Coast, this self- guided bicycle tour includes stops at the awesome Mont St. Michel and the charming city of St. Malo and Dinan.

Available 2006 dates: Anytime in 2006
Length: 7 Days/6 Nights
Cost: $1407; please note that per person rates do not include the following discount...
Discount: Discover France is offering a 5% discount exclusively for BicyclingWorld.com members who book this tour in March. Just mention BicyclingWorld.com when registering.

Classic Provence
The self-guided tour starts in Villeneuve-les-Avignon and visits the culturally rich countryside as far as the Mediterranean before returning to Avignon - the City of the Popes.

Available 2006 dates: Anytime from April 1 - 30
Length: 8 Days/7 Nights or 6 Days/5 Nights
Cost: $1265 for the 8 Day/7 Night option; please note that per person rates do not include the following discount...
Discount: Discover France is offering an 8% discount exclusively for BicyclingWorld.com members who book this tour in March or April. Just mention BicyclingWorld.com when registering.

Coastal Normandy Cycling Tour
In Normandy, an "artist's paradise", wonderful coastline, woodlands and countryside combine to make a fabulous self-guided bicycle vacation.

Available 2006 dates: Anytime in 2006
Length: 5 Days/4 Nights
Cost: $871; please note that per person rates do not include the following discount...
Discount: Discover France is offering a 5% discount exclusively for BicyclingWorld.com members who book this tour in March. Just mention BicyclingWorld.com when registering.

Connemara in the West of Ireland
A guided supported group bicycle tour of Connemara and the Aran Island with the Iron Donkey is a great introduction to bicycle touring in Ireland. This tour is suitable for a wide range of experience levels - from relative newcomers to hardcore cyclists.
Available 2006 dates: May 13-20
Length: 8 Days/7 Nights
Cost: €1375; please note that per person rates do not include the following discount...
Discount: Iron Donkey is offering a 20% discount for BicyclingWorld.com members who book this tour. Just mention BicyclingWorld.com when registering.

Cycling the San Juan Islands
From quiet pebble beaches to blossoming meadows, San Juan Island cycling is a peaceful retreat from busy everyday life.

Available 2006 dates: Camping - May 14-19, 28-6/2, July 16-21, Aug 6-11; Inns - June 18-23, September 17-22
Length: 6 Days/5 Nights
Cost: Camping $1199, Inns $1799; please note that per person rates do not include the following discount...
Discount: Escape Adventures is offering a 15% discount exclusively for BicyclingWorld.com members. Just mention BicyclingWorld.com when registering for this tour.

Maine Coast Bicycle Tours' Acadia Adventure
Winding, tree-lined roads combined with gorgeous oceanfront routes provide a terrific variety of cycling experiences on this extraordinary custom cycling tour.

Available 2006 dates: Anytime in 2006
Length: 6 Days/5 Nights
Cost: $1495; please note that per person rates do not include the following discount...
Discount: Maine Coast Bicycle Tours is offering a $200 early-booking discount for BicyclingWorld.com members who book by April 1st. Just mention BicyclingWorld.com when registering for this tour.

DuVine Adventures' in France, Italy and Ireland
Experience a unique, personalized cycling vacation in Europe. Simply DuVine!

Available 2006 dates: Anytime in May 2006
Length: Variable
Cost: Variable; please note that per person rates do not include the following discount...
Discount: DuVine Adventures offering a May travel special on all new bookings for travel to France, Italy or Ireland. A $250 discount is available to BicyclingWorld.com members who book these tours by March 17th. Just mention BicyclingWorld.com when registering.

Outer Banks of North Carolina Bike Tour
Experience the relaxed pace of coastal North Carolina life. This is a place where time is measured by the sun, wind, and tides.

Available 2006 Spring dates: April 9, April 30 and May 7
Length: 6 Days/5 Nights
Cost: $1595; please note that per person rates do not include the following discount...
Discount: Sojourn Bicycling & Active Vacations is offering a $100 discount for BicyclingWorld.com members who book this tour in March. Just mention BicyclingWorld.com when registering.

Sonoma Wine Coast Bike Tour
Join Sojourn for this captivating guided bike tour through the best of beautiful Sonoma County.

Available 2006 Spring dates: May 21 and June 11
Length: 6 Days/5 Nights
Cost: $1795; please note that per person rates do not include the following discount...
Discount: Sojourn Bicycling & Active Vacations is offering a $100 discount for BicyclingWorld.com members who book this tour in March. Just mention BicyclingWorld.com when registering.

Tour Chenonceau Bicycle Tour Loire Valley
Discovery of the Loire and Cher Valleys in the heart of magnificent chateaux; this is an appointment with history!

Available 2006 dates: Anytime in 2006
Length: 5 Days/4 Nights
Cost: $836; please note that per person rates do not include the following discount...
Discount: Discover France is offering a 5% discount exclusively for BicyclingWorld.com members who book this tour in March. Just mention BicyclingWorld.com when registering.

Special Discounts
Mountain Bike Tours

Bike Inn-to-Inn in Northeast, Pennsylvania
Experience a four-day self-guided mountain bike tour on beautiful country roads and converted railroad beds.

Available 2006 dates: Anytime from May 1-October 31
Length: 4 Days/3 Nights
Cost: $375; please note that per person rates do not include the following discount...
Discount: Bike Inn-to-Inn is offering a 10% discount exclusively for BicyclingWorld.com members who book this tour in March. Just mention BicyclingWorld.com when registering.

Kokopelli Trail: Grand Junction to Moab, Utah
If you've heard about the great riding near Fruita, Colorado, here's your chance to see what all the talk is about!

Available 2006 Spring dates: Camping - April 3-7, 10-14, 17-21, 24-28, May 1-5, 8-12, 15-19
Length: 5 Days/4 Nights
Cost: $845; please note that per person rates do not include the following discount...
Discount: Escape Adventures is offering a 15% discount exclusively for BicyclingWorld.com members. Just mention BicyclingWorld.com when registering for this tour.

Mount Bachelor to Bend, Oregon
This central Oregon tour encircles seven mountain lakes fed by the snow melt waters of Mt. Bachelor and the Three Sisters volcanoes.

Available 2006 dates: July 16-21, Sept 3-8
Length: 6 Days/5 Nights
Cost: $1095; please note that per person rates do not include the following discount...
Discount: Escape Adventures is offering a 15% discount exclusively for BicyclingWorld.com members. Just mention BicyclingWorld.com when registering for this tour.

Teton Mountain Bike Tours' in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
Teton Mountain Bike Tours offers an excellent non- motorized alternative for seeing and learning about the unique characteristics of the Greater Teton and Yellowstone region.

Available 2006 dates: Anytime from May 15 to June 30, 2006
Length: Variable
Cost: Variable; please note that per person rates do not include the following discount...
Discount: Teton Mountain Bike Tours is offering a 10% discount for BicyclingWorld.com members on any advanced reservations. Just mention BicyclingWorld.com when registering for these tours.

The White Rim Trail
Utah's White Rim Trail has become a favorite Canyonlands annual pilgrimage for countless numbers of mountain bikers.

Available 2006 Spring dates: Camping - March 15-18, 20-23, 29-April 1, April 3-6, 12-15, 17-20, 26-29, May 1-4, 10-13, 15-18, 24-27, 29-June 1
Length: 4 Days/3 Nights
Cost: $375; please note that per person rates do not include the following discount...
Discount: Escape Adventures is offering a 15% discount exclusively for BicyclingWorld.com members. Just mention BicyclingWorld.com when registering for this tour.

The evening will include awards for cycling accomplishments, fine dining, music, entertainment, dancing and auctions. Awards will focus both on star athletes in bicycle racing and on cycling transportation, advocacy, recreation, touring, safety and related achievements. The evening will also include a demo by American Wheelman of High Wheel riding in period costumes and displays of antique bicycles and will feature regional artists, such as Renzo Faggiolli and Ezequiel Jimenez. The auction will include art, high quality Scott USA and Fuji bicycles and gear, cycling vacations and luxury items.

This is a black tie affair with limited seating. Seats are $150 per person. Reservations should be made by calling 610-739-5854. Corporate tables of 10 and sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, please visit www.bicyclecrossing.org.

In addition to the annual dinner, this year ICC is also planning Le Tour DeSales, a Collegiate Cycling Race on July 1-2, 2006, and the Lehigh Valley Steelman Triathlon at Lake Nockamixon State Park on July 16, 2006. For more information, please visit www.steelmantri.com.

About the International Cycling Center
The broad mission of ICC is to develop a comprehensive international cycling center, museum and hall of fame destination facility in the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania. It will be the definitive institution for the sport of cycling, and it will have facilities for a museum and hall of fame, conferencing and education, and sports training, including an indoor velodrome, designed to be used for bicycle racing and other sports.

Pre Tour Planning
A successful custom tour starts in the design phase. In a nutshell, the more information you give your tour operator in the design phase the better your tour experience will be.

Begin by planning early. A custom tour may take a minimum of two to three months of planning depending on the complexity e.g., most popular villas require advance booking during high season.

Start by giving serious thought to what you liked or disliked about previous package or custom tours and the type of riding you like to do.

Dining
What are your group's dietary requirements? Determine how many nights you want to eat out as opposed to in the hotel, if you want to cook at your villa, or be catered to by visiting chef. For those who prefer staying in hotels, the meal plans are generally a good value.

Lodging
Select the type and style of lodging you desire; surf the web for ideas!

• Budget and research carefully as this is a major expense;
• If you are going to arrange your own accommodations, ensure you speak with a qualified local tour operator to see if the area is suitable for the type of cycling you want to do. If not, be prepared for some very long shuttles;
• Van costs are a major tour operator expense and a good rule of thumb is the 2:1 van transfer to riding ratio. Specifically, you get an average of two hours of cycling for every one hour of time shuttling;
• Beware of lodging rental agents promising bike tours, claiming they can provide you a bike guide or tour. These agents are in the business of renting villas for a commission. You could end up with an unqualified guide or worse, an uninsured or unlicensed shuttle driver.
• Villa or lodging inspection. It is best to get an objective or second opinion about, including photos of, the places you want to rent. Little details like no a/c or no screens on the windows in the summer can make for an uncomfortable experience. Furthermore, you might end up saving money by negotiating direct with the owners after the inspection is complete versus booking sight unseen on the net.
• Fully research the region you plan to visit. Read up on nearby towns in travel guides and on the internet to see if the area you select is right for you and your group.

Cycle Touring

• Tour Support. What type of "on tour" support do you expect? Be clear. Do you need van support? If so, how much (e.g., do you prefer self-guided loop rides)? How about guide support? Will you rent a car or do you want a driver? For those who wish to visit locally renowned restaurants or want to have a few drinks, be sure to book a driver, driving at night in a foreign country on dark unfamiliar roads... you get the idea.
• How much riding do you want to do? A good rule of thumb and something I always advise my guests is to cut back by 20% the amount of riding that you do at home to account for changes in time and diet which directly affect performance;
• Set Up a Daily Plan. Do you want to cycle all day with lunch included or do you prefer half-day rides with free time on your own in the afternoon?
• Start Slow! Design your tour to build in intensity as your vacation progresses, planning the hardest rides for the middle or end of the trip when you're warmed up. This will help to avoid injuries.
• Check local temperatures! For example, in Tuscany, it's too hot to ride in August in the afternoons, so you have to plan for early morning starts. If you like to sleep late, take this into consideration when choosing a location for your holiday. The risk of heat exhaustion or stroke is very real. If you must cycle in the hottest times of the day, use mineral salts. Also, be sure to come prepared with the right gear and clothing.
• Bringing Your Own Bike? Depending on the length of your tour, you may want to consider shipping your bike ahead of time to a qualified mechanic. Unless you have experience and the right bike case, traveling with a bike, especially on international flights, can be challenging. Check with airlines to determine if additional charges apply.
• Bike Rentals. If you plan to rent, check out the type of bikes you will be renting ahead of time. Make sure the gearing is suitable for the terrain. Another good idea is to have your local bike shop measure you, then forward your measurements to your tour operator in advance to ensure your bike fits properly. Nothing ruins a great tour more than a poorly fitted or maintained rental bike.

Selecting a Custom Tour Operator

• Ask for a minimum of three references for the tours that interest you;
• Contact at least two tour operators and see how they respond. You can gauge pretty quickly which operators have experience by how they respond to your inquiries;
• Most legitimate tour operators will give you a rough proposal free of charge. Others require some type of planning deposit which is typically a percentage of the total estimated tour cost and can usually be applied to your overall balance;
• Beware - truly customized tours entail lots of experience, onsite research and planning. Most companies will opt to re-package existing routes and some may charge you for a fully customized tour. Their existing routes may be fine, but you shouldn't have to pay a premium for them.
• Go Local. Almost all large tour companies have onsite, local representatives. Going local is the best way to go when it comes to the planning phase. You have a better chance of making truly unique discoveries and meeting local people when dealing with a locally-based operator. Also, you can help ensure that more of the money you spend benefits the local communities and people that you visit.

About the Author:
This article was prepared by Dominick Cerisano, Owner of Best Tuscan Tours, based in Florence, Italy. Dominick has personally logged over 50,000 kilometers guiding, racing and training throughout Italy. Best Tuscan Tours provides custom luxury, private cycling tours throughout Italy.

Special Offer
If you're interested in taking a cycling tour with Best Tuscan Tours or need advice on planning your next custom tour, mention BicyclingWorld.com when contacting Dominick and receive a special discount up to 10% reserved exclusively for BicyclingWorld.com members.