Here's a few gems I found recently on cycling tours and related issues.  
Send me information about your unique bike tours. Inclusive tours and activities for everyone are always important to share.

Check out this very cool touring company that offers recumbent tours mainly in Spain (ha) and France...hey recumbent riders, I just think you're lying down on the job...only kidding. Enjoy

•  http://www.caminalavida.com/english.html

 Why not take a bite out of this gem, on a bike, of course  - touring around New York City!

• http://bikethebigapple.com/index.php 

And magical tours into wine country in France offered by Canadian Team Cyclist and Olympian - Nathael Sagard.

• http://bluehorizoncycling.com/

What do Cyclist need?

A good path for biking (or running or walking, for that matter) is a found treasure.
To help you recognize what makes a good bike path, we have identified five features that truly make for a top-notch experience

1. Some usage, but not too busy.

The ideal bike path is going to have some other traffic, but not too much.

2. Consistent surface

A good bike path is going to have a consistent surface (if you are on the road, but let's not forget our friends in the back country)

3. Secure parking (& a good lock, editors comment)

Unfortunately the bad guys know that bike path parking lots offer easy pickings.

4. Options to mix it up

Variety is the spice of life. So a good trail is one that will offer you more than just an endless loop of the same scenery.

5. Interconnectedness

A single trail is a good thing. A trail that connects to other trails is a really good thing.

(From About.com, image supplied by Getty Images.)



Bike Blogger

Life is like a 10-speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use.
~Charles Schultz, creator of the Peanuts cartoon strip.

Okay, here I am...the Bike Blogger using "bikesequalfun"
Makes sense huh? All things related to cycling and the fun that ensues.

I will attempt an on-line collection of gems from the bike industry and from friends related to all things cycling. Feel free to share your "related" industry tips, tidbits, product updates, destinations, shows, festivals, etc. and remember it's everything bikes. But keep it clean, please.

My big push now is to start talking about all the tourism related bike groups and communities promoting their bike destinations (anywhere), plus related events and charity rides. As you know, cycling is an emerging tourism market and it always makes sense to promote more "folks on spokes".

Community connection and networking is the key to assist in the promotion of your cycling tourism product.By the way, when I searched "cycling tourism around world" I was offered 8,200,000 articles.

I think we have emerged...check out this article...from One Street.

Cycle Tourism

In the past, cycle tourism was not a significant consideration for tourism associations, accommodation vendors, mass transit, or others engaged in the tourism industry. Vendors assumed that tourists with bikes were not a wealthy target group. Transit agencies only saw carrying bikes as a hassle without any benefit to them. These misconception prevented cycle tourism from growing.
But more and more the tourism sector has recognized the remarkable potential of cycling. Several factors are responsible for the growth of cycle tourism around the world:

• Cycling tourists are often in a higher income bracket than most tourists
• Tourists recognize the bike more and more as a vehicle which is good for their health
• Tourists realize the enjoyment of slow and contemplative travel
• Accommodation vendors recognize the profit potential of single-night guests
• Plenty of Maps and Routes programs have been launched
• Bike friendly transit agencies are enjoying an increase in ridership
• The bike industry has recognized the profit potential of cycling travelers and is offering quality touring equipment
• Cycling athletes are choosing to travel by bike to attractive places where they can train.  

So cycle tourism is steadily changing from a curious activity by a few cycling activists to a mainstream opportunity for recreation. With the increasing demand for good cycling infrastructure, high quality equipment, and suitable accommodation, a sleeping market has been slowly awakening over the last 10-15 years..... In some regions of Europe, accommodation vendors are enjoying business growth by proudly welcoming cyclists. They offer safe places for bikes, ample food, bike tools, regional information and other features that make bike tourists feel welcome.  The BED & BIKE program run by the German cycling advocacy organization, Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrrad-Club (ADFC), is a best practice model for this. Today more than 4,500 vendors take part in ADFC’s BED & BIKE program.

Enjoy and share
The Bike Blogger
  "Do you know what is the hardest part of learning to ride a bike? The pavement."