Build the USBRS with Exodus Travels

May 24, 2017

Exodus Travels has seen the great success of the U.S. Bicycle Route System and is generously sponsoring a $1,000 match challenge to support this campaign. Donate today to have your contribution matched by Exodus Travels!

Tell us about Exodus Travels.

It all began in Afghanistan. Exodus started life on February 4, 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments. The 1970s were the heyday of the hippie trail across Asia with the fabled city of Kathmandu as the destination. With intrepid adventurers wanting to travel west as part of their Grand Tour, there was a viable business proposition and the founders of Exodus provided three more trucks and started taking groups from London to Kathmandu. Biking was introduced to our portfolio not long after this! And I can honestly say that after 43 years of experience, we have some of the best pricing in the cycling holiday market — take a look!

Today we’re an award-winning, small group and self-guided tour operator specializing in cycling, walking, and trekking, as well as cultural, responsible wildlife, and winter journeys, that are all about adventure. We cover a vast range of active holidays for all types of groups and ages, operating in over 100+ countries with a choice of 600+ tours. Interestingly, in the U.S. our cycling adventures are the most popular. We have a dedicated cycling department which creates our bike training guides, ensures all equipment and gear is in tip-top shape, carefully monitors the route of every existing bike trip, curates fantastic and innovative bike tours, creates new takes on old classics, and basically lives and breathes exploring the world from behind the handlebars! 

Whether its solo travelers, couples, groups, or families, our cycling trips are as diverse as they are exhilarating. From relaxing biking journeys through Italy, Vietnam, Croatia, France, and Costa Rica, to conquering Iceland’s wilds, Madagascar’s jungles, the vast Mongolian plains, or routes from the Tour de France, we have something for every style of cyclist. 

We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for travelers to experience the world by two wheels.

Why do you support the U.S. Bicycle Route System.

At Exodus, we understand that many travelers have the yearning to visit new places on their vacations and return home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles — anything that contributes to its unique identity.

We believe that cycling adventures are one of the best ways to experience a destination with a low impact. Biking has numerous positive benefits for the environment and for adventurers — keeping them in shape and reducing our carbon footprint — while experiencing places that are off the beaten path and allow cyclists to make connections with locals and discover hidden gems. 

At the same time, our experts are constantly excited about creating itineraries with responsible tourism in mind, ensuring our type of small-group, positive-impact tourism is benefiting the communities, helping to preserve the environments we travel to see, and provide real and positive social changes.

By supporting the U.S. Bicycle Route System, we’re helping to map over 50,000 miles of cycling routes on some of the most scenic and historical significant terrain throughout North America. The increase of possibilities for low impact tourism and new opportunities for travelers to explore the road less traveled is a thrilling initiative for Exodus Travels to support that will no doubt help benefit our passionate community of cyclists and adventurers.

What one product of yours would you like to be sure touring cyclists know about?

Self-guided adventures are on the rise and many cyclists who love to explore independently, but simply don’t have the time to plan ahead, are finding these trips to be an exciting alternative. Since cyclists haven’t done the hours of research and planning to seek out the best viewpoints, restaurants and local gems, they’re able to use our services to make new discoveries along the way and enjoy the special moments at their own pace.

Our experts have created a diverse range of self-guided cycling holidays throughout Europe, and each itinerary includes detailed excursion routes, places of interest, restaurant recommendations, as well as high-quality support through local suppliers, 24-hour emergency services, and luggage transport to each hotel. Some itineraries even include a wine service for those cyclists exploring Europe’s wine regions ... a great way to unwind after miles of pedaling.

Exodus offers a unique range of self-cycling holidays from traversing the picturesque scenery through iconic cities such as Vienna, Bratislava, and Budapest by bike and boat, to discovering gastronomic delights amid France’s steep sided river valleys and the ancient villages of Dordogne.

Anything else you would like to share?

For 2017, Exodus has released a full range of new cycling holidays, from surging through a snow-draped winter wilderness on a fat bike, to off-roading in the beautiful mountain kingdom of Bhutan, or going your own way on a self-guided adventure through Portugal’s Douro Valley.

We also offer these new adventures!

Cycle Mont Ventoux - Tom Simpson Special Celebrate one of Britain’s most successful professional cyclists. Climb the bald mountain from two iconic routes and cycle through the spectacular Gorges de la Nesque.

Mysore to Goa Ride - Cycle from the stunning palace of Mysore to the sandy beaches of Goa. Cycle through villages and market towns, and sample delicious south Indian cuisine, and explore the ruins of Hampi.

Cycle Mallorca - Cycle from coast to coast on the largest of the Balearic Islands, discovering hilltop monasteries, exploring hidden caves and coves, and indulging in delicious Spanish food and wine.

Cycling Indonesia’s Islands - Cycle up volcanoes, through rice paddies and jungles, and past villages in Bali and Java.

Cycling India’s Hill Stations - A superb point-to-point ride through the stunning scenery of Himachal Pradesh: marvel at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, ride the backroads of the mighty Himalaya, and cycle across the Jalori Pass.

Photos courtesy of Exodus Travels

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Join us in building the largest cycling route network in the world!

 

The U.S. Bicycle Route System (USBRS) is a developing national network of signed and numbered bicycle routes that link together cities, suburbs, rural communities, and public lands so that anyone, no matter who or where they are, can get to their destination by bicycle. To date, over 11,000 miles of U.S. Bicycle Routes have been officially designated in 25 states, and nearly 4,000 miles have been signed. When complete, the USBRS will encompass more than 50,000 miles and open new opportunities for cross-country travel, regional bicycle touring, and commuting by bike.

 

Thank you to Tripsite.com, Visit Bentonville/Bike Bentonville, Destination Irvine, BikeTours.com, Osprey Packs, Exodus Travels, Stan's No Tubes, and all of the generous supporters of the U.S. Bicycle Route System campaign!