ToursDay-ToursShort EscapesWeek-Long ToursAboutRider InfoBlog
CONTACT US

Tour Types

With so many great tours, choosing can be hard. Here's some help.

Which tour (type) is best for you?

Bike the South offers three primary types of tours: guided, supported and self-guided. You can also select scheduled tours open to the public, book your own private tour with friends or family, or ask us to develop a custom tour for you.

Guided

Guided tours are great if you like traveling and riding with a group and want to meet new people. They give you peace of mind and often the most thorough tour and exploration experience.

A guide rides with you, points out sights, takes care of any breakdowns (bicycle or human), and ensures a tour experience that you’ll remember fondly for years to come. You’ll also be accompanied by a vehicle (in most cases a van) and driver, who will carry snacks and water and will often set up picnics.

Tours typically range from 4-12 people (at lower range if van transfers are involved). You can also have your own private departure. With private tours, you have your own group and can often customize your tour based on your preferences and interests.

Back to Top

Self-Guided

Self-guided tours are perfect for independent travelers who are comfortable riding alone or with friends. They’re also great for travelers who have concerns about COVID and prefer to stay within their own travel “bubble.” You’ll still have detailed route information as well as an emergency hotline number in case you get lost or have questions. Please note that the hotline does not provide emergency pick-up or on-site repair service. If this is a concern, we recommend choosing a supported or guided tour.

On overnight tours, you will also have lodging and luggage transfers.

Other Bike the South clients may be starting with you, but you are free to ride on your own.  Some tours may have multiple start times on any given day in order to avoid overlapping parties.

You can also have your own private departure. With private tours, you have your own group and can often customize your tour based on your preferences and interests.

Back to Top

Supported

Supported tours are like self-guided tours but with a “safety net.” A nice mix of independence and peace of mind. Supported tours include a ride-along escort and/or accompanying or on-call support vehicle. Check tour listings for support types on scheduled tours. On private tours, you choose!

Back to Top

Private Tours

Your group. Your pace. Your tour. Nearly every private tour can be adapted to be shorter/easier or longer/harder. Your guide or a company representative will contact you in advance to discuss route options based on your interests, preferences and riding experience. It's your ride!

If you don't see a private tour option in a tour's information, please don't hesitate to ask us if it's possible.

More about private tours
Back to Top

Custom Tours

Let us put together the perfect tour for you! Give us your interests and preferences, and tell us your needs, and we’ll come up with a program for you.

Just complete our easy online form, and we’ll be back in touch with our recommendations based on our experience and that of local cyclists throughout the region. At Bike the South, we understand that every customer's needs are unique, which is why we are open to using a calendly alternative or any other scheduling tool that works best for you.

Request a Custom Tour
Back to Top

Questions? Drop us a line.

CONTACT US