Too old for summer camp? Think again.
If you've got enough spunk to spend your vacation on your bicycle, you are in for an adventure that is challenging — and cheap.
Roooooad trip!
Most people assume that bicycling adventures are limited to those upscale treks that cost hundreds of dollars a day and pamper you in case your legs start to ache after a measly 12 miles. But once you've done one of the tougher camping rides, those spoiled peddlers will seem like a bunch of wimps.
The cast of well-known characters on the bicycle touring circuit features everyone from "Hot Pants Sue," a hot-pants-wearing former gym teacher who must be pushing 70, to "No Pay Ray," a guy who tags along on every trip without registering. Not to mention The Fiddler, the M&M Lady, the Nymphomaniac and the Librarian.
Trust me. You'll have plenty to talk about and enjoy.
Most important is the scenery. Every state has some sort of organized bicycling tour that brings together a few hundred (or thousand) cyclists for a caravan through a scenic or historic region. The country's most famous trip is called RAGBRAI (The Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa), which attracts 15,000 rowdies who dress in costume and peddle from one small town to the next, guzzling beer at every stop. Instead, imagine the beauty of the Denver Post's Ride the Rockies or the challenge of the Tucson bike club's ride from the Grand Canyon to Mexico.
Florida has two of the best trips going — Bike Florida and the Florida Bicycle Safari — but both are held in the spring. Not to worry. The beloved Suwannee Bicycle Association comes through every summer with the Dog Days festival (Aug. 24-25), where you spend the weekend cycling in the morning and playing in the water the rest of the day (www.suwanneebike.org).
Florida rides are great because there are so few hills. They'll take you through national parks and treasures, and your cycling experience will give you enough time to really soak in the scenery.
The typical day of an extended bike tour goes like this: Tear down camp, load it in your duffel bags and onto the truck. Get breakfast, then head off for the day, stopping for every breakfast nook, lakeshore, pioneer museum, fish camp and fudge factory you can find. It's all about the journey, not the destination, so don't think you need to be a professional racer or competitive in any way. You just need to be able to ride between 50 and 80 miles a day, depending on the chosen route. After a day of riding, you set up camp, clean up, eat like a pig, go to the evening entertainment and then crash in your tent before you get up and do it all again.
Although back-to-back days of 50 or 70 miles might sound tough, it is not a grind. You'll stop every hour — sometimes for an hour or two — and break that long ride into a manageable journey. And, if you can't hack it, there's always the SAG wagon that'll pick you up when you start to sag.
You'll come home with a dozen new best friends who you really will see year after year.
Before you venture out. There are plenty of ways to enjoy your bike around here. Hit the Pinellas Trail, Suncoast Parkway Trail, Bayshore and Withlacoochee State Trail for enjoyable training runs. You can get a better workout near San Antonio and Dade City, where the scenery is priceless and the hills pose a challenge.
Once you're trained, get adventurous. Dare to take a vacation in the saddle and you'll understand why it's said that "Hiking is too slow, driving is too fast. Biking is just right." It is. You get the best view possible, the physical challenge of getting yourself from Point A to Point B, the camaraderie of others who are enjoying the experience (and the pain) just as much as you. And the price tag can't be beat.
Cycling is one sport that almost anyone can master. You'll encounter people in their 70s and 80s who are still at it. All it takes is some good training, an appreciation of the outdoors and great camaraderie. Once you're hooked, you'll tour the country — even the world — spending less for a week then you'd normally spend in a day.
Plus, you'll look fabulous when it's all over.
For Florida events, go to www.floridabicycle.org/fbtc/index.html. For adventures in other states, go to the National Bicycle Tour Director's Association at http://www.nbtda.com and search for a tour by region, price or date. The site lists 23 tours for less than $200. The price of a tour usually includes mechanical and road support, camping, snacks every 15 miles and a T-shirt.
