Should I Do a Guided or Self-Guided Bike Tour?

Should I Do a Guided or Self-Guided Bike Tour?

Understanding the difference between guided and self-guided bike tours so you can choose the right experience.

Many riders planning a cycling vacation ask the same question: Should I do a guided bike tour or a self-guided bike tour?

Both styles offer incredible experiences, but they feel very different. One is more social and structured, while the other offers independence and flexibility.

At Crossroads Bike Tours, we offer both, and each attracts a different type of rider.

This is a very common question we are asked at Crossroads Bike Tours.

Sometimes this question will be asked directly, and other times people will circle around it by asking:

How many people are in the group tour?

Do we have to ride as a group?

What if we want to stop and take pictures or enjoy a trailside beverage?

Do we have to follow a fixed schedule?

Can I start and finish at the time I want?

Underneath all of those questions is the real one people want to ask:

Should we do a guided tour or a self-guided tour?

And there is a very simple answer.

It depends on the kind of tour you envision.

Both styles are great, but they are very different experiences. Let's break them down to help you decide.

What Is a Guided Bike Tour?

On a guided bike tour, you will ride with a group and several guides who will be handling all the details.

What do the guides typically do:

Give a morning briefing for the day's ride.

One leads, one sweeps, so no one is left behind, and one drives the SAG wagon (support vehicle).

Sets the pace.

Helps with mechanical issues.

Share local insights and trail knowledge.

Make sure everyone makes it to each stop.

Guided tours can often feel like a shared adventure.

You ride the trail together. You have meals together. You end the day telling stories and sharing inside jokes.

Oftentimes, many people become trail friends doing other rides together.

For a lot of people, this is exactly what they want.

Benefits of Guided Bike Tours

Firstly, the stress of the day's plans and details is taken care of.

In one word, simplicity.

Wake up, eat a great breakfast, and ride a bike.

All the rest is handled.

The route, timing, navigation, and logistics are all taken care of.

For many riders, especially first timers, it removes a lot of the stress.

Secondly, it’s social.

Guided tours tend to attract the type of person who enjoys a group atmosphere and meeting new people.

In many cases you start the week not knowing anyone, but after a couple days, you will be sharing snacks, stories, and laughs about the day on the trail.

We have been doing this for several years now and have seen many friendships start on our guided tours.

There are many repeat guests who met on a guided ride and plan to do it again together the following year.

Thirdly, help is always nearby.

Mechanical issues, flat tires, bad weather, and wrong turns happen.

On a guided trip, someone is always there to help when any of these things pop up.

For many riders, this backup is the peace of mind that makes guided tours worth it.

What Is a Self-Guided Bike Tour?

At Crossroads Bike Tours the majority of our riders choose self-guided.

And the answer is pretty simple.

Freedom.

A self-guided bike tour means you can ride on your own schedule but all of the logistics are handled for you.

That includes:

Hotel reservations.

GPS navigation and route maps.

Daily itinerary.

Trip planning support.

And someone is there to answer a question when you call.

Instead of worrying about the details and planning it takes to make the tour come together, you can just focus on the fun part.

Riding your bike!

Benefits of Self-Guided Bike Tours

Firstly, you set your own pace each day.

On a self-guided tour, no one is waiting for you or expecting you to be somewhere at a certain time.

Want to sleep in? You got it.

Want to rise early and beat the heat or a little rain? Go for it.

Trailside picnic, why not?

Secondly, you stop where you want.

This one, people tend to love the most.

Cool photo op, stop and get it just right.

Microbrew or nice diner, head on in.

A moment of quiet just to soak in the nature… You guessed it, you stop.

When you’re not in a group you can sprinkle in these moments as often as you like.

And sometimes, these are the moments that make the ride!

Thirdly, for many, it feels like a personal adventure.

Guided tours are very organized and structured which is great but some people want a bit more flexibility.

Self-guided tours can feel more like your own trip.

You still have all of the support behind the scenes such as accommodations booked, daily itinerary, GPS navigation, and shuttles on some tours. But the experience belongs entirely to you.

That independence is a big part of the appeal for many self-guided riders.

Who Should Choose a Guided Bike Tour?

Guided tours are the perfect fit for people who:

Are new to bike touring.

Enjoy traveling in a group setting.

Meeting new people and making friends.

Like having guides present, organizing the day and handling any bike issues.

Enjoy built-in social interaction.

If you are the type of person who likes group hikes, group bus tours, or organized trips, then a guided bike tour can be a fantastic fit.

Who Should Choose a Self-Guided Bike Tour?

These tours are perfect for people who:

Like flexibility.

Enjoy riding at their own pace.

May prefer a quieter more personal experience.

Are comfortable navigating and handling mechanical issues alone.

Like to explore towns and stop for longer breaks.

A lot of couples and small groups of friends enjoy this style. Even the solo rider.

You get the shared experience together without being in a large group setting.

And you might be thinking, Am I Fit Enough to Do a Bike Tour? Circle back to here if it crossed your mind.

There Is a Middle Ground Most People Don’t Realize Exists

Many people assume that a self-guided tour means that you are left completely on your own.

That is not at all the case.

Crossroads Bike Tours has designed our self-guided tours to support you from start to finish.

Answering questions, setting up accommodations, mapping the routes, creating a daily itinerary, shuttling, and more. We are always there every pedal of the way.

If something goes wrong, you will not be left alone.

So, you still have the infrastructure of a guided tour, but without a guide and without the schedule of a group.

The Question I Ask People

When someone calls, trying to decide which tour (self-guided or guided), I ask one question:

“What kind of biking experience do you want?

Do you want something that feels like a group adventure with great people?

Or would you prefer something that feels like your own personal journey at a pace you control?

The good part…there is no wrong answer.

Each option offers a different kind of experience.

My Honest Opinion

I have experience doing both.

And they are both great for different reasons.

When discovering a new trail I like to do self-guided, just my wife, kids and myself.

This gives us the freedom to take it slower, have a late morning or an extended lunch break.

But I always look forward to the guided tours and being there for our guests every step of the way. And making new friends is an added bonus.

Many riders enjoy the camaraderie of a group ride as well.

The Good News

You can’t possibly make a bad choice.

Both of our guided and self-guided tours create an incredible experience.

You’re outside.

You’re soaking in the natural beauty of an area at the perfect speed. A joyful speed.

You’re discovering small towns you may never visit in any other circumstance.

And by the end of the trip you will probably already be mentally planning for the next one.

Explore Crossroads Bike Tours

If you’re still unsure which tour is the best fit for you, please feel free to reach out at 314-656-6229 or tours@crossroadsbiketours.com.

We are always happy to help future riders figure out the best tour for them, the one that will make them happiest.

After all, the goal isn’t just to ride bikes. It’s having a great adventure while doing it.

If you would like to see the guided and self-guided tours we offer, click the link and enjoy browsing our many unique TOURS