Guided Tours?

[jhl99]

Has anyone been on a multi-day guided tour? What was your impression? Was it worthwhile? What was good about it? What was bad about it?

I see that Western Spirit has a 4 day tour in WV, near Slatyfork. I typically tour solo on back roads and forest roads...I see a guided tour as a way to ride more single track and not worry about hauling gear along...One thing though, it seems a little pricey...$700. Is it worth it?

If you already have solo experience, will guides be an asset or a nusiance?

[WMD]

I used Escape Adventures for a week-long tour about 2 years ago. They provided transportation, a campsite, food, medical, SAG wagon, etc. Western Spirit and Rim Tours are both competitors to Escape Adventures. Each of these companies hire professional guides and you will have a good time if you like to ride.

I noticed that the guides had an operations manual for each tour and they know what to expect. The trails we were on were safe, but challenging, and the guides rode back and forth checking on everyone. Each guide has had first aid training, CPR, etc.

Be prepared to be pampered after riding 15-20 miles a day. They will take care of the bike, make meals, yada yada. The guides work about 14-16 hours each day driving, riding, cooking, setting up and tearing down camp. At $175 per day, that's only about $11 - $12 per hour split between two guides for a heap of work. Of that figure, you know that the company is getting enough to cover expenses and make a margin. The net of it is that it ain't much. Granted, it would be great to be paid to ride, but my helmet's off to these guys for working that hard for that little money.