Corporate Spotlight: Amore Bella Adventures

August 4, 2014

This post is part of a series spotlighting Adventure Cycling's Corporate Members. These companies support our mission and programs and do some cool stuff of their own. We decided to ask them some questions and, as a result, have learned a few interesting things about our supporters that we'd like to share with you. The answers below are direct from the companies. We hope that this gives you the chance to get to know them a little better, too. For this post, Corporate Member Amore Bella Adventures shares with us a bit about their guided bicycle tours, their passion for cycling, and why they support Adventure Cycling Association.

Tell us a little bit about your company.

We are a military, veteran owned company with more than three decades of training and travel experience, focused on providing high-end, fun, and exciting scuba training, bicycling tours and adventure travel.  As a member of the Travel Quest/Travel Leaders Network, the Worldwide Outfitters and Guides Association and the National Association of Underwater Instructors, Amore Bella Adventures, LLC is committed to changing lives by developing and providing outdoor recreation training, touring and travel opportunities that entertain, enhance, inform and educate their clients. Our tours and training programs are intentionally designed to be small so that we can cater to the individual needs of our clients.  They are all guided by experts who have lived and worked in the regions/area and know the culture, cuisine and crossroads. Clients are treated like members of a family, rather than participants along for a group trip.  Cycling and travel are two activities that can change a person’s life.  That’s what we aim to do at Amore Bella Adventures.  As our name implies, we want you to “Love the Beauty of Adventure”.

What services or products do you provide for bicycle tourists? 

Fully supported and expertly guided cycling tours and adventure travel. Our main cycling focus areas are Northern Italy, Belgium, Cape Cod and the Blue Ridge. For adventure travel we offer everything from cycling the Great Wall in China, riding the downhill at Cotopaxi in Ecuador, river boating down the Amazon or even a walking climb of Kilimanjaro, to name a fee.

Why do you support Adventure Cycling through corporate membership? 

It offers a great way to connect with and reach like-minded individuals.

What are your favorite cycling related things right now?

Well, I guess it depends on how you define “things”. For me, it’s the rides. At the time I’m writing this, the one-day classics are underway and the Giro is right around the corner. These events highlight many of the roads and routes we travel during our tours.  So, without a doubt, these are my favorite cycling related things right now.

Where would you like to see cycling in America in 5 years?  

I’d like to see it continue to grow and become more like that of European Cycling, where it’s not just a recreational activity but recognized and accepted as a mode of daily transportation.  Several major US cities have started to promote that idea.  I think as more come on board, and as more companies start to promote it, we might see more cyclists on the highway.  

What is your favorite service or program that Adventure Cycling offers?

Adventure Cycling maps and routes are very helpful for the weekend explorer or the avid cyclist.

If your headquarters staff could relocate to any place in the world, where would they choose? 

Without a doubt, it would be Italy.  The cycling culture, the great food, beauty scenery and the passion of life evident throughout the country make it ideally suited for any cycling enthusiast.

As your company grows, have you had mainly tailwinds, headwinds or crosswinds? Explain. 

We’re just starting out.  So, mostly we’ve had headwinds, with an occasional crosswind.  As more people become aware of our brand and experience or product, I’ve no doubt we’ll see those tailwinds kick in.  But, isn’t that how you like to start every ride…end it with the tailwind?  We’re very pleased with where we are at this point in our start-up efforts. 

What do you like best about the magazine (other than having your logo appear)? 

The magazine is well written and informative. I personally like the Way Points, Mechanical Advantage and Geared Up sections. 

Is there anything else about your company that you really want to share with our readers?

What sets us apart is our attention to detail and desire to make each guest feel special.  We keep our tour sizes small, usually no more than six, and we take you to places “off the beaten cycling path.”  You’ll become totally immersed in the experience and learn things about the culture, yourself and cycling that you never knew.  If you’re looking for something a “little different” then we’re the tour for you.

Adventure Cycling Members receive a discount on select tours from Amore Bella Adventures. Log in to your My Adventure Cycling account to access discount information for their tours and several other cycling-friendly businesses.

Photos by Derik Crotts

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MEMBERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS is posted every other Wednesday by the membership team — Julie, Josh, and Paul — spotlighting the various benefits of membership, our accomplishments thanks to member support, and interviews with some of our most passionate and dedicated members, both individual and organizational.