OVERVIEW
The main purpose of the Leadership Training Course (LTC) is to find leaders for our tours. The course is structured to convey information for self-contained tour leadership, but is applicable to many levels of bicycle tour leadership. There is a wealth of information and collective tour leadership knowledge covered in three days of participation. Instruction is given by experienced Adventure Cycling tour leaders and there are no prerequisites required for attendance. Individuals are welcome to participate regardless of their intent to lead tours for Adventure Cycling Association.

The LTC touches on group touring techniques, budgeting, safety, and public relations on the road, but the major focus is on group dynamics. Most of the LTC occurs indoors in a lecture format, with equipment demonstrations and group activities included. There are short daily bike rides. Role-playing activities put candidates in situations that actually occur on the trips in order to evaluate conflict-resolution skills.

Typically courses start at 7:00 AM Friday and end at approximately 5:00 PM Sunday. It is recommended to book flights home for the day after the tour ends or later. Each course has up to four experienced leaders instructing and is limited to 20 participants.

Tour Costs
The tour cost covers the instructor and up to four advisors, group food starting with breakfast on Friday and ending with lunch on Sunday,  overnight fees for Friday and Saturday, group equipment, preparation and instruction materials, a T-shirt, safety triangle, and more.

Accommodations
Accommodations are included for Friday and Saturday nights. Courses are typically held at a hostel with dorm style rooms, or at a comfortable camping facility with a meeting room.

Meals
The tour cost includes three meals per day. You will be included in a cooking and cleaning rotation with the rest of your group. This means that you and your partner (assigned by the instructor) will purchase and prepare either a breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Tour Leadership Requirements
All Adventure Cycling Association leaders attend the Leadership Training Course and must be at least 21 years old to lead tours, 25 years old on tours with vehicles. You can take the training at a younger age, but you wouldn't be able to lead a tour until you turn 21. Compensation varies depending on self-contained leadership positions, and covers meals and camping expenses during the tour, plus a daily stipend. Event staff are compensated a daily stipend plus meals and camping fees. All Adventure Cycling Association tour leaders are hired as independent contractors on a per trip basis and are not considered employees for the purposes of unemployment compensation at the end of the touring season.

GENERAL LOGISTICS
Trip Application and Sign-up
Upon signing up for a tour, you will receive a Tour Confirmation Invoice and preparatory materials, including a “Before You Go” booklet that contains a packing list and training tips. About 60 days prior to the tour or sooner, you will receive a Tour Information Packet with specific details about your starting location, recommended bike shop, travel tips, and much more.

Please feel free to contact the Tours Department if you have questions that are not answered here. Call (800) 755-2453 toll-free or (406) 721-1776. Or send an email to

Bike Transport
The two most common options are (a) to ship your bike to the start of the tour or (b) transport your bike with you by plane, train, or automobile. If you decide to ship your bike, send it to the recommended bike shop at the start of the tour. For each tour, we select a local bike shop to manage this. They are able to provide several levels of service for you. They can assemble your bike before the ride and ship it home afterward for a reasonable fee. They can also simply accept shipment if you plan to assemble it yourself. Your best bet is to take your bike to your local shop and have them ship it to the appropriate place.

The other option is to take your bike with you, however you’re traveling to the tour. If you plan to take your bike on an airplane, the airline typically will charge an additional fee to take a bicycle. Please check with the airlines or travel agency directly for details.

Bike and Gear
You need to supply all of your own cycling gear (bike, helmet, shoes, and clothing) and camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, and pad). A suggested packing list is included in the “Before You Go” booklet.

Parking
We plan to accommodate parking on all of our tours shorter than 14 days. In most cases, cars will be left at the starting location. At other times, parking is available at another location nearby. On some occasions, there is a cost involved to park your car during the trip. Details are provided in the Tour Information Packet.