Mountain Biking
Two Wheels in the Backcountry

By Dan Austin

You won’t find the term "Mountain Biking" in the dictionary; you have to break it down. Webster defines "Mountain" as: "a landmass that projects conspicuously above its surroundings and is higher than a hill" and "Bicycle" as: "a vehicle with two wheels tandem, a steering handle, a saddle seat, and pedals by which it is propelled." That is enough to discourage 99% of us from taking up the sport. "Mountain Biking" is a generic and often over-used term that isn’t nearly as difficult as Webster would like us to think – in fact, a lot of people think it’s fun!

The first evidence of a "rider-propelled machine" dates back to a wooden contraption invented by Baron Karl de Drais de Sauerbrun in 1818. Powered by paddling one’s feet against the ground, it was crude and clumsy, but it was a start. In 1838, a blacksmith named Kirkpatrick Macmillan completed four years of experiments and the true forefather of today’s bicycle was born.

Since these early days, men, women and children have been peddling the dirt roads and mountain trails, always looking for a better, easier way to challenge the landmass conspicuously projecting above its surroundings (mountain). Mountain bikes entered the picture in the mid 1970s and instantly became popular. They combined the characteristics of both touring bikes and utility bikes, with lightweight frames and wheel rims, up to 21 speeds, and wide heavy-treaded tires for good traction.

Sturdy, relatively economical and dependable, these bikes quickly became the bicycle of choice of the ever-expanding "touring business." Pioneered as early as 1870 by the Pickwick Bicycle Club in Europe and now expanded to the U.S. and internationally, bike touring has always been a great way to see the world. The pace can be fast, the scenery ever changing, making one "feel" closer to the environment while gliding through the countryside.

Mountain bike tours are now available around the world. The term "mountain biking" is often used to describe "biking in the mountains." Thankfully for most of us, this is a far cry from "true" mountain biking (single-track trails, roots, rocks and stumps, just waiting to upset the rider)! By joining a tour, you know that all the details are taken care of, leaving you to "enjoy the ride." Support vehicles carry your luggage, provide safety and support and can even accommodate the road-weary rider. Choosing a mountain biking vacation has never been easier. There are literally hundreds of operators offering everything from single-day trips in their backyards to large international organizations providing guided multi-week trips in the most remote corners of the globe. With a little due diligence and some personal soul searching, you can easily pick the right trip for you and your family.

As with any family vacation, the planning and research portion can be as fun and rewarding as the trip itself. Involve the entire family in the process. While a good operator will take care of all the details once you’re on the trip, you still have to pick the who, what, where, and when. I suggest you start by deciding the "whom." Think about the ages and abilities of the participants. For children, there are many choices that must be addressed. Different operators have different age requirements and means to handle children accordingly. For the really young (2-4 yrs) there are trailers that can be pulled by mom or dad. For ages 5-8, I recommend a "tag a long," a tandem-like device that attaches to the bike of the parent or adult. This gives the child rider the feel of riding, while giving the parent control (and an extra work out). It really depends on your child’s ability and your comfort with riding. Be sure to set reasonable expectations, and err on the side of caution.

Next, I suggest you narrow down the time frame for travel. When choosing an area or a region, you will want to make sure you are there during the "right" season (again, a good operator can help you with this). For example, you wouldn’t want to be in the deserts of the Southwest in August or attempt the Rockies in November.

Once you have narrowed down your travel window, start listing the places you and your family have always wanted to visit. Have you talked about Yellowstone? Always wanted to bike the coast of Hawaii? This is your vacation; make sure it is what you want to do. If this is your first Family Bike Tour, keep it simple; save biking in Mongolia until you’re a bit more experienced. Order brochures, surf the web, ask an experienced friend, and educate yourself. It will pay off in the end.

Now that you know when you want to travel, and have some ideas where, you can start thinking about how. Do you want to camp or are you looking for more of a first-class experience? Is a 3-day trip or a week long adventure going to be the right combination? Do you want to combine biking with other activities? Start calling some of the operators whom you have discovered; if you like their brochure or website, that’s a good start. Take your time and ask a lot of questions. A good operator will be glad to help and will not tire of your questions. Do not feel pressured to make up your mind and purchase a package until you are ready.

Some questions you might consider asking:
1) What is "your" favorite location and why?
2) How long have you been running tours there?
3) What type of roads or trails will we be on?
4) Do you run your own tours or subcontract?
5) How big are the groups?
6) What is your cancellation policy?
7) How challenging are the rides? What if I, or my children, cannot keep up?
8) What are the ages of the participants?
9) Do you offer family-specific departures? Minimum age?
10) Can I speak with a family that has been on one of your programs?
11) What is included and what is not? Bike rentals? Helmets? Meals? Hotel expenses?
12) Are there any "hidden" costs?
13) What can you tell me about your accommodations?
14) How are your guides trained? What first aid certifications do they have?

Keep track of who answers what and start building a rapport with the ones you trust and feel comfortable with. There are no "dumb" questions. Try to talk with someone who understands family travel, not just someone trying to sell you a trip. As you get closer to your buying decision, you will know who the right operator is for you. Not all operators are the same and you will want to be sure the one you pick is the one you will enjoy most.

Bike touring with your family is an incredible experience. Given the universal appeal of bicycling to both young and young-at-heart, it is a common ground that all will enjoy. Fresh air, active days, incredible scenery, and relaxing nights equal the perfect formula for a fantastic family vacation. It will be an adventure everyone will remember and re-live over and over again.

Dan Austin is an avid traveler, father, and an adventurer.