You won’t find the term "mountain biking" in the dictionary; you have to break it down. Webster defines "mountain" as "a landmass that projects conspicuously above its surroundings and is higher than a hill" and “bicycle" as "a vehicle with two wheels tandem, a steering handle, a saddle seat, and pedals by which it is propelled." The thought of a tiny human-propelled vehicle taking on a big landmass is enough to discourage 99% of us from taking up the sport. But “mountain biking,” a generic and often over-used term, describes something that isn’t nearly as difficult as Webster might make us think – in fact, a lot of people think it’s fun!

The first evidence of a "rider-propelled machine" dates back to a wooden contraption invented by Baron Karl de Drais de Sauerbrun in 1818. Powered by paddling one’s feet against the ground, it was crude and clumsy, but it was a start. In 1838, a blacksmith named Kirkpatrick Macmillan completed four years of experiments and the true forerunner of today’s bicycle was born.

Since these early days, men, women and children have been pedaling dirt roads and high trails, always looking for a better, easier way to challenge the “landmass conspicuously projecting above its surroundings.” Mountain bikes entered the picture in the mid 1970s and instantly became popular. They combined the characteristics of both touring bikes and utility bikes, with lightweight frames and wheel rims, up to 21 speeds, and wide heavy-treaded tires for good traction.

Sturdy, relatively economical and dependable, these bikes quickly became the bicycle of choice of the ever-expanding "touring business." Pioneered as early as 1870 by the Pickwick Bicycle Club in Europe and now expanded to the U.S. and internationally, bike touring has always been a great way to see the world. The pace can be fast and the scenery ever changing, making one feel closer to the environment while gliding through the countryside.

Mountain bike tours are now available around the world. The term "mountain biking" is often used to describe "bicycling in the mountains." Thankfully for most of us, this is a far cry from "true" mountain biking (single-track trails, roots, rocks and stumps, just waiting to upset the rider)! By joining a guided tour, you know that all the details are taken care of, leaving you to "enjoy the ride." Support vehicles carry your luggage, provide safety and support and can even accommodate the road-weary rider.  

Choosing a mountain biking vacation has never been easier. There are literally hundreds of operators offering everything from single-day trips in their backyards to large international organizations providing guided multi-week trips in the most remote corners of the globe. With a little due diligence and some personal soul searching, you can easily pick the right trip for you and your family. 

Today’s active traveler is often looking for a variety of activities to enjoy during a week’s vacation. It is sort of a “cross-training” approach to vacationing. Combined with mountain biking you may find yourself rafting a wild river, hiking across an alpine glacier, sea kayaking with a pod of whales, or canoeing down a lazy stream. 

Planning and choosing an active adventure tour 

As with any vacation, the planning and research portion can be as fun and rewarding as the trip itself. Involve your travel companions in the process. While a good operator will take care of all the details once you’re on the trip, you still have to pick the who, what, where and when. I suggest you start by deciding the "whom." Think about the ages and abilities of the participants. For children, there are many choices that must be addressed. Different operators have different age requirements and means to handle children accordingly.  

Next, you want to narrow down the time frame for travel. When choosing an area or region, you’ll want to make sure you are there during the right season (again, a good operator can help you with this). For example, you wouldn’t want to be in the deserts of the Southwest in August or attempt the Rockies in April.

Once you’ve narrowed down your travel window, start listing the places you have always wanted to visit. Have you yearned to explore Yellowstone? Always wanted to bike the scenic coast of Nova Scotia? This is your vacation; make sure it is what you want to do. If this is your first active travel tour, keep it simple; save biking and hiking in Mongolia until you’re a bit more experienced. Order brochures, surf the Web, ask an experienced friend, and educate yourself. It will pay off in the end.

Now that you know when you want to travel, and have some ideas where, you can start thinking about how. Do you want to camp or are you looking for more of a first-class experience? Is a three-day trip or a weeklong adventure going to be the right duration? Do you want to combine biking with other activities?

Start calling some of the operators whom you have discovered; if you like their brochures or web sites, that’s a good start. Take your time and ask a lot of questions. A good operator will be glad to help and will not tire of your questions. Do not feel pressured to make up your mind and purchase a package until you are ready.

Some questions to ask a tour operator:

• What is your favorite location and why?

• How long have you been running tours there?

• What type of roads or trails will we be on?

• Do you run your own tours or subcontract?

• How big are the groups? What is the guide-to-guest ratio?

• What is your cancellation policy?

• How challenging are the rides? What if I, or my companions, cannot keep up?

• What are the ages of the participants?

• Do you offer family-specific departures? Minimum age?

• Can I speak with someone that has been on one of your programs?

• What is included and what is not? Bike rentals? Helmets? Meals? Hotel expenses?

• Are there any hidden costs?

• What can you tell me about your accommodations?

• How are your guides trained? What first aid certifications do they have?

Keep track of the answers and start building a rapport with the operators you trust and feel comfortable with. There are no "dumb" questions. Try to talk with someone who understands your needs, not just someone trying to sell you a trip. As you get closer to your buying decision, you will know who the right operator is for you. Not all operators are the same and you will want to be sure the one you pick is the one you will enjoy most.

Bike touring and multi-sport adventuring are incredible experiences. Given the universal appeal of bicycling, hiking and paddling to both the young and the young-at-heart, there’s plenty of common ground for everyone to enjoy. Fresh air, active days, incredible scenery and relaxing nights create the perfect formula for a memorable adventure vacation.