How to Organize Your Own Group Cycling Tour

Organizing a group cycling tour may seem a bit over your head.

Maybe you’re not the most organized person and getting people to answer your call is not something you want to tackle.

But if you’ve ever played with the idea of organizing your own cycling tour, Ciclismo Classico makes all of this very easy. Soon enough you’ll find how traveling with your friends is better than traveling without them.

So how do you organize your own group cycling tour? The steps are pretty easy:

Find a Group of Friends.

Ciclismo Classico has been running private and custom departures for small and large groups for over 30 years. I personally recall a group of high-profile friends from Miami and Mexico City that would travel with us every year. We took them through the Dolomites, up and over the French Alps, and all over Provence. They had a wonderful time because they were all together and shared a laugh at every switchback. As a result, the guides had a blast because the group got along so well together.

Kirsten Neilsen from California is one of our seven-trip alumni. She organizes group journeys with her friends because she loves to share her experiences with her best buddies. “Honestly,” she writes, “I just love traveling with friends. Their presence enhances every part of the experience!”

Amy and Joe from Ontario concur. “We love traveling with our friends,” they say. We get the chance to hang out in a fantastic place and experience amazing new things together. Having some new and exciting experiences with people you know and love is the best part of group travel on a private trip.”

Think of People You Don’t See Often.

Daily life prevents friends from getting together on a routine basis. Ciclismo Classico allows these moments to happen, bringing friends and loved ones together for a life-long memory.

Ski clubs from Colorado organize group rides in France before the snow begins to fall in the Rockies. Once ski-season starts, it is difficult to see all of those friends again. The social life in the valley is busy and the members at least have a chance to see each other on a bike trip before the craziness begins.

Kirsten also uses her trips as an opportunity to spend time with people she wouldn’t normally get to see at home. “It’s the joy of spending quality time with your friends,” she says. “Some of us see each other rarely – if ever – outside of group trips. We all look forward to the excursions because we get the opportunity to see our far-flung friends.”

Find People Who Make the Not-So-Fun Parts, Fun.

“Their presence enhances every part of the experience,” Kirsten continues. “Once we had to face the Mistral on our Divine Provence trip. We got through a really tough day together and never stop talking about it. Likewise for the Mt. Ventoux: we are able to encourage each other up the mountain. Friends are so supportive!” So even strong winds and a mountain climb became a group-bonding experience.

The people that Kirsten travels with know her very well. They know her introvertive nature and don’t bother her at breakfast when she needs her alone time. “This gives you the ability to be yourself entirely – everyone knows your quirks!”

Consider a Closed Trip, or Open it Up to Make More Friends!

Kirsten and her companions typically decide to close a trip. “Being on a closed trip makes for a more relaxed experience because you are exclusive with friends. We know everyone will get along and there are no personality conflicts.”

Some of our group organizers from Minnesota choose to leave the trip open to other participants. In this way, they are consistently making new friends and their groups get bigger and bigger each year!

Your Dates, Your Departure.

Kirsten admits to enjoying having more of a say in where the group goes and on what dates. So group travel is right for her.

Amy and Joe from Ontario enjoy the logistical comfort of private group travel. “You can tailor the trip to your group,” they say. “You can choose your own dates and if you have any specific requests they can be met.”

Make sure to get in touch with our home office staff: they have a lot of experience in taking care of everybody in your group. Working with Rosa and the folks at Ciclismo Classico make everything a breeze.

Once You Go “Group,” You’ll Stay “Group!”

“We have gone on two bike trips to Europe,” Amy continues, “and we have one more coming up this fall. Each time, I have organized a group of our friends.”

The friends stay the same; the destination and adventure changes from year to year. “We last did an eight-day trip to Andalucia. We loved it so much that within a few months of our return, we had already organized and booked our next trip: Piedmont in October 2019!”

So why not ask around and think about those friends you haven’t seen in a while. If you need any help getting people together, get in touch with us to find out more about group travel.