Fitting a Bike Adventure to You

There is one simple rule in making a bike vacation really enjoyable. If your fitness and ability are a good match for the level of difficulty or challenge involved in the trip, you’re enjoyment level (and that of those around you!) can be maximized! Regardless if you’ve signed on for a trip that is well beyond you, or if you fancy yourself a budding Tour de France rider and you’re on a trip that covers 15 miles a day, you’re likely not having a great vacation (nor are those who have to live with you on your trip!). When choosing or developing a trip, we will take into account your group’s current fitness level, potential for training and goals and strive to align these factors with an appropriate “Gear” level as discussed below.

Shifting Gear Adventures, specializes in "Gear 3 or 4" trips targeting the avid cyclists who enjoy a challenge. Knowing that, it is entirely possible to develop itineraries which mix Gears to suit a varied group.

Gear Levels

1st Gear – Routes consisting of 15-40 miles per day on flat to moderate rolling terrain. The perfect category for those looking for
bike riding to be only a portion of their day, leaving time for off bike activities. Typically a trip would consist of 4 to 5 days of riding with one rest day. Works well for the recreational bike rider who usually rides a couple times a week for at least 15 miles. Total weekly distance of approximately 150-200 miles.

2nd Gear – Shifting into somewhat more challenging routes; looking at 30-50 miles with terrain that is decidedly not flat, but with hills that are generally less than a mile long. This category opens up many opportunities to explore your destinations more and visit a wider
variety of interesting locations. Total weekly distances of 200-250 miles. This level calls for a solid fitness level for a recreational rider who normally spends 4-5 days a week riding or one who can commit to a 6-10 week training plan riding this much.

3rd Gear – In our way of thinking, this is the sweet spot for adventure bike vacations; routes stretch from 40 – 70 miles with longer and more challenging days mixed with easier recovery days. In this category you will be tackling significant hills or mountain passes in a day. Itineraries
in this category further extend the possibility to explore while not dominating the day with riding for the avid rider with solid fitness (e.g., someone used to riding 100+miles in a week). Weekly trip totals can reach 250-300 miles. A 6-10 week specific training plan
incorporating 1-2 hill climbing days each week will help prepare the avid rider for this level.

4th Gear – This level is for the serious rider who isn’t intimidated by the idea of tackling more than one “Beyond Category” mountain pass in a day while covering 70-100 miles. If you’d like to tackle some of the famous Tour de France mountain routes, this is the level for
you. This level is best for the rider accustomed to riding 150-200 miles a week or one willing to commit to a 6-10 week training program building up to that mileage level with hill climbing work 1-2 times a week..

5th Gear – If you think you’re up for this level, contact us.