How do I sign up for an Adventure Cycling Tour?
What is the deposit amount for an Adventure Cycling Tour?
What is your cancellation, refund, and transfer policy?
Does Adventure Cycling recommend travel insurance?
How do I choose a tour?
Who goes on Adventure Cycling tours?
What kinds of riding conditions can I expect?
What will my tour leader/staff members be like?
When is indoor lodging available? 
What is the food like on Adventure Cycling Association tours?
What does the term "shared cooking" mean?
When can I buy an airplane ticket? When is the trip a guaranteed “go?”
What are my chances of getting on a fully booked tour?
How do I get more information about your supported tours?
How do I get more information about your van-supported tours?
How do I get more information about your self-contained tours?
Am I physically prepared to go on an Adventure Cycling tour? 
How can I get in shape to go on an Adventure Cycling self-contained tour? What type of bike should I use on your off-pavement tours?
Are trailers really a good way to carry your gear on self-supported tours?
How do I apply to be a tour leader and what are the qualifications?

How do I sign up for an Adventure Cycling Tour?
You must fill out an Application Form and make a deposit to reserve a spot on one of our tours. Reservations cannot be made over the telephone, nor can we hold spaces without the application form and deposit. You can sign up online, download an application and send it in, or call us and we can send you the proper forms by email, mail, or fax. Click here for our mailing address and phone number.

What is the deposit amount for an Adventure Cycling Tour?
We ask that you put down $200 for our shorter tours (trips that are less than 30 days), and $700 for our expeditions (trips that are 30 days or longer). Should you choose to cancel, these deposits are non-refundable.

What is Adventure Cycling Association’s cancellation, refund, and transfer policy?
Should you need to cancel your reservation for any reason, you must notify Adventure Cycling Association immediately in writing or via email to receive the maximum refund possible. 

NOTE: Deposits are non-refundable.

Adventure Cycling Association’s refund policy is as follows:

No refund will be given:

• for maps received by a participant;
• for a participant’s late arrival for a trip
• if a participant chooses to leave a trip for any reason after the trip start date;
• once a trip has started, for food, services or overnight lodging for which a participant paid but did not use;
• for membership fees unless a trip is cancelled by Adventure Cycling Association.

Adventure Cycling Association reserves the right to cancel or combine trips. If this results in a revised departure date unacceptable to a participant, the participant’s payments will be refunded. In addition, the number of participants on a tour may be adjusted in response to demand or facility availability.

Transfers between trips are allowed within the same calendar year with a transfer fee of $100.00.

In order to maintain reasonable trip prices, Adventure Cycling Association will not make exceptions to the above policy.

NOTE! Avoid purchasing non-refundable travel tickets before confirming through Adventure Cycling Association that your activity is a definite go 60 days prior to the activity start date.

Does Adventure Cycling recommend travel insurance?
Our sincere wish is for every trip participant to attend and complete their chosen trip. In an effort to plan for unexpected personal emergencies, health issues, weather, and transportation problems that might cause you to cancel or shorten your trip, travel insurance is strongly advised. Please consult your insurance agent about cost and coverage. Insurance is also available through Travelex and CSA Travel Protection.

How do I choose a tour?
Each individual tour's web page includes a short description of the tour, trip details (dates, cost, etc), the itinerary, and testimonials from past tour participants. Use the tours matrix to compare all of our tours — cost, number of days, level of support, etc. You can easily sort the tours by each variable by clicking on the column headers.

Who goes on Adventure Cycling tours?
The average age of our tour participants is typically around 45, and we also have folks in their 20s and even some in their 80s. People come from all walks of life -- from all over America and the world -- to participate in our tours. Participants ride every type of bike you can imagine, and skill levels vary. Most people come to see new things, meet new people, and challenge themselves.

What kinds of riding conditions can I expect?
Road surfaces and shoulder widths vary greatly along our routes, but most of the routes are through rural American countryside. We select our routes to avoid high traffic and metropolitan areas, though groups may choose to take side trips into urban centers. One participant likened our routes to a stringing together of each area's best day ride. However, you will sometimes ride in rain, sometimes ride in brilliant sunshine, and most likely will experience headwinds and tailwinds during a tour. It may get very hot, sometimes cold, extremely dry at times, and incredibly humid all in one tour, especially on our longer rides.

What will my tour leader/staff members be like?
The goal of Adventure Cycling’s Tour Leaders/Directors and Staff is to make your trip the best experience possible. They attend to the logistics of your tour and ensure that the day runs smoothly. All are certified in first aid and CPR, and many are trained bicycle mechanics. Supported tours are complete with roving mechanics who patrol the route in order to assist you if you have a problem, as well as staff members who’ll provide you with snack breaks along the way.

The staff can’t do absolutely everything for you however. Their purpose is to facilitate your touring experience. They will provide leadership and support, but in some ways you must rely on yourself. On our tours, even a novice will learn how to read a map, set up a tent and repair a flat tire. We believe this enhances everyone’s sense of accomplishment, adventure, and enjoyment.

When is indoor lodging available?
Fully supported tours will have indoor lodging options whenever there is a hotel/motel within 15 miles of our campsite. We will transport you and your luggage to and from these accommodations at no additional cost. Lodging is available on almost every night of every tour. Please check with the Tours office, (800) 755-2453 x3 or if you are concerned about the availability of indoor lodging on your tour. Adventure Cycling will supply you with lodging contact information, but we will not reserve or pay for the cost of the hotel.

Self-contained and van-supported tours will primarily rely on camping for overnight accommodations. Cross-country tours will have a hotel stay about once a week. The rest of the time, overnights will be spent camping. You may arrange for your own lodging if this is arranged with your tour leader in advance.

What is the food like on Adventure Cycling Association tours?
We realize that the quality of our meals is of major importance to our tour participants and, on our supported tours, we strive to ensure that our caterers maintain exceptional standards. Meals high in carbohydrates are the norm, and these are supplemented with salads, veg­etables, breads and desserts. Lunches usually consist of sandwiches, cookies, fruit and drinks. Breakfasts are often a combination of hot foods such as pan­cakes, breakfast meats, eggs, cold cereals, breads/muffins/pastries and juice. If you require vegetarian meals, or have special needs, please let us know! We’ll do our very best to accommodate you.

On our self-contained and van-supported tours, group members and the leader, working in pairs, share in food purchasing (funds supplied by the leader), cooking, and cleanup, on a rotating basis. Due to limitations imposed by time and equipment, simple, nourishing one-pot dinners with lots of carbohydrates are the norm, supplemented with salads, vegetables, bread and dessert. Lunches usually consist of sandwiches, cookies, drink mixes, fruit, etc. Breakfasts are typically comprised of dry cereal and/or oatmeal, fruit, bread and hot or cold beverages. (Your own favorite recipes are welcomed to help supplement the ones found in the Adventure Cycling cookbook.)

What does the term "shared cooking" mean?
Group members (including the leader) work in pairs, and share food-purchasing, cooking and cleanup responsibilities on a rotating schedule. Food for group meals is purchased with group funds provided by the leader. You do not have to be a gourmet cook to go on a self-contained tour! We only ask that you are adaptable, ever-hungry, and open to trying new recipes!

Grocery stores in smaller towns often have quite limited stock; because of this, and since food is purchased for the entire group, you’ll need to be flexible about your diet. It is common to have people who do not eat meat; in such cases, meat may be cooked and served separately or mixed into only a portion of the main dish. It is not possible to cater completely to any one type of food preference, be it vegetarian, macrobiotic, junk food, or whatever. There will, however, be sufficient and nourishing food for everyone.

When can I buy an airplane ticket? When is the trip a guaranteed “go?”
The Adventure Cycling Association Tours Department determines whether a tour is a guaranteed “GO” 60 days before the start of the tour. We do not recommend buying non-refundable airplane tickets until a tour is officially a “go”.  If you can’t wait to purchase your plane ticket, please contact the Tours office at (800) 755-2453 x3 or send us an email at We can probably tell you if it is safe to buy a plane ticket or if you should wait until the official “GO/NO GO” date.

What are my chances of getting on a fully booked tour?
That really depends. Our rate of attrition on tours tends to be around 20%, so if you sign up for a “full” tour early on, your chances are relatively good. We’ll put you on the Waiting List, and we won’t charge you anything. Then, if a spot opens up, we’ll contact you, and, if you’re still available, you can take the available space. If you’ve already made other plans, you’re under no obligation.

How do I get more information about your supported tours?
You can download a PDF of our Before You Go: A Handbook for Adventure Cycling's Supported Tours booklet (696 KB). A hard copy will also be mailed to all supported tour registrants prior to trip departure.

How do I get more information about your van-supported tours?
You can download a PDF of our Before You Go: A Handbook for Adventure Cycling's Van-Supported Tours booklet (736 KB). A hard copy will also be mailed to all supported tour registrants prior to trip departure.

How do I get more information about your self-contained tours?
You can download a PDF of our Before You Go: A Handbook for Adventure Cycling's Self-Contained Tours booklet (732 KB). A hard copy will also be mailed to all self-contained tour registrants prior to trip departure.

Am I physically prepared to go on an Adventure Cycling tour? 
Most likely; we have tours to suit all kinds of riders. While less experienced riders may opt for lower mileage tours and more experienced riders might choose higher mileage tours with more climbing, there’s generally nothing that a little training and a healthy appetite for adventure can’t prepare you for! For a full explanation, check out our Difficulty Rating System.

On our trips, every rider is allowed to ride at his/her own pace, so you'll generally have all day to complete the distance. Slower riders (or those planning on lots of photo ops!) can plan to leave earlier in the morning, while those expecting to zip through the miles may linger over coffee. Typically, folks who ride at a similar pace end up as riding buddies, sharing each day's ride.

How can I get in shape to go on an Adventure Cycling self-contained tour?
Start Early
Four months before the start of your tour you should be riding a bike: whether it is inside on a trainer, on the road or on a mountain bike. If you have had a long lay off from riding, work on riding at least three days a week, even if it is only for 30 minutes at a time.

Build Gradually
Check out our tours to find out what the longest day of your trip will be. Over the course of the next four months include a longer ride once or twice a week. Build your long ride mileage so that it is eventually 5-10 miles longer than the longest day you will ride in your tour. You should be built up to that mileage two weeks before your tour.

Spice It Up
Our tours often contain many different kinds of terrain. Training on short steep hills, flat windy roads and long sustained climbs will help you prepare for anything you might encounter on an ACA tour. Don’t be afraid to tackle the biggest hill or windiest valley then turn around and do it again, in reverse.

Consistency Matters
Try to ride as often as you can. You may be surprised, but riding for 45 minutes a day six days a week will leave you in better shape than one six hour ride a week. You may not have your legs used to long rides, but you will be accustomed to getting on a bike every day, and that’s what touring is all about.

Other Options
Don’t fret if you can’t get on a bike for some time; staying active is key to a fun tour. Hiking, elliptical machines, swimming, stair climbing, cross-country skiing, and running can all help you maintain your fitness while away from the bike. While biking is always the best choice, these alternatives are much better than resting on your laurels, waiting for the chance to get on the road again.

What type of bike should I use on your off-pavement tours?
We recommend a mountain bike with 26-inch wheels, front suspension, and knobby tires. It is possible to use a hybrid bike (700c wheels) or even a cyclocross bike in certain areas, but a mountain bike is the most versatile choice. For more detailed information about equipment selection, check out the article titled "Choosing a Bike for the Great Divide."

Are trailers really a good way to carry your gear on self-supported tours?
Absolutely. The model we recommend most is the BOB Yak. It is the most tried-and-true model for self-contained travel, on both pavement and dirt roads. This trailer is indeed a good alternative to panniers. The fact that it can easily mount to most any bike makes it very appealing to most cyclists. There are certainly pro's and con's of trailers versus panniers (believe us, we've heard it all), and the deciding factor is usually personal preference. Check out the article titled "The Big Debate."

How do I apply to be a tour leader? What are the qualifications?
All new ACA leaders must take our Leadership Training Course (LTC). Once you have taken the course and received good marks from your advisors, you will be eligible to lead a tour for ACA.  Once a year, the tours department sends out a survey asking leaders what tours they are available to lead.  Leaders will be asked to include a brief resume with the survey. All leaders must be LTC graduates, possess current first aid and CPR certifications, and, if you are a Montana resident, you must provide an Independent Contractor exemption before working a trip in 2009. (This document can be acquired from the Montana Department of Labor for $125 for 2 years.)

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
If you're looking for an answer that you can't find here or elsewhere on our tours pages, please submit your questions to our staff. We'll do our best to get you an answer right away.