bike 101: showing visitors your city by bike

I recently wrote about renting bikes while going on vacation. But what about bike rides when friends come to visit you? Have you considered showing friends and family your town via bike? It’s something worth considering if you have an extra bike or two in your garage, access to friends’ bikes that you could borrow, or a convenient bike rental service or bike share program in your town. Once the bike acquisition is taken care of, here are some other tips to keep in mind…

The Bikes:

• Fit, Size
• Special Instructions
• Adjustment

Make sure the bike you lend your visitor is a good fit for their size. If the bike is too large, they may feel nervous and uncomfortable on it, giving them to ‘unknowns’ to worry about: new bike and new surroundings.

Note any special instructions that may not be obvious. I always forget that cyclists unfamiliar with vintage bikes may not know how to work the gears or to stop pedaling while shifting gears (otherwise they won’t shift). Tell your visitors if there are any special tricks required to work the gears, breaks, bike lights, etc. before you set off.

Make small adjustments that will make their ride more comfortable, such as lowering or bringing their seat higher. The more comfortable they feel on the bike, the safer and more enthusiastic they will feel about the ride.

Plan ahead where you will go and let your visitors know what to expect. Especially more reluctant riders will feel more comfortable knowing how long of a route you’re proposing and what kind of ride it will be (in traffic, on trails, on sidewalks, etc). Conveying this information before you get started will make a less experienced rider feel more in control of the situation.

When planning your route, keep your visitor in mind. A more experienced cyclist will have no trouble keeping up with a seasoned rider and will likely enjoy getting the full tour by bike. Coaxing you mom on a bike after she hasn’t ridden in years? You’re better off starting with an easy ride with as little car traffic as possible (think side roads, trails, neighborhood streets) and with a destination that is not too far away. Taking breaks and letting a less experienced rider sit down, stretch their legs, or grab a snack will also make them appreciate that bikes are not only for the ‘hard core’ but an enjoyable way to get around town.

Keep in mind that you know the area best and lead the way. But don’t just fly off at your regular pace leaving your guest huffing and puffing to keep up with you. That will make the most scenic ride an unsatisfying and nerve wrecking journey. Let your visitor set the pace and ride at a speed that still allows for conversation. Unless you’re both seasoned riders and the fun for you lies in getting there fast.

If you want your guests to change their mind about cycling or get on a bike with you again, don’t be rigid in your plans. Allow for changes according to the difficulty of the route, the mood of the riders, and the weather. Hitting every single sight on your list will not make the tour more enjoyable if your guests are tired, hungry, or getting rained on. Allow for them to dictate the tour in terms of where they want to go, for how long they want to ride, and when they want to call it a day. The more flexible the host, the more likely the guests to enjoy their ride and give bike riding another chance.

Have you given bike tours to your friends and family members? Has anyone hosted you and taken you around by bike? If so, what are some of the tips and suggestions you have for making such a trip an enjoyable one for everyone involved? Share your thoughts in the comments below!