How long has Backroads been in business and who owns the company?
What do your trip prices include?
What kind of shape do I need to be in to enjoy my trip?
How should I train for my trip?
How do you accommodate people of varying abilities?
How long will we be active each day?
How do your leaders support the biking and walking routes?
Do I have to carry any of my own luggage or gear?
Are children welcome on all Backroads trips?
If I'm traveling alone, will you find me a roommate or can I have a private room?
Are your Singles+Solos Trips only for unmarried travelers?
Do you provide children’s bikes?
Can you provide me with guest references for your trips?
Can I purchase Backroads gift certificates?
How far in advance do I need to reserve my vacation?
Can I reserve my Backroads vacation with my travel agent?
Does information found on this Web site differ from that found in your catalog?
What is Backroads Privacy Policy?
Q. How long has Backroads been in business and who owns the company?
A. Backroads was founded in 1979 by Tom Hale, who continues an active role as company President. In 1999, Hale founded Backroads International to administer our long-standing collection of trips in locations outside the U.S.
Q. How can I reach Backroads?
A. You can e-mail us at Backtalk. You can also write, phone or fax us at:
801 Cedar St. Berkeley, CA 94710-1800
800-GO-ACTIVE (462-2848);
510-527-1555
fax: 510-527-1444
Q. What do your trip prices include?
A.
- All lodgings
- On Inn Trips, all breakfasts, most lunches, including our trademark grand picnics and all dinners except for one, when you’ll have the opportunity to sample local fare on your own
- On Camping Trips, all meals
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants on Inn Trips
- Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
- On biking and multisport trips use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
- Trailercycles, carriers and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
- Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
- Park and other entry fees
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
- Select coach transfers
- Baggage transfers and porterage
- Backroads water bottle
- Not included: airfare, alcoholic beverages (Backroads provides wine at select events), gratuities for Trip Leaders and personal expenses
Q. What kind of shape do I need to be in to enjoy my trip?
A. Backroads vacations are designed for all levels of bicyclists, walkers and multisport enthusiasts. Some trips are more challenging than others and we suggest that you refer to the Activity Level Options page or talk to one of our Trip Consultants about your current activity level and the type of adventure you're looking for. They’ll help you pick the right trip for you. Call 800-GO-ACTIVE to speak to a Trip Consultant daily from 7 a.m.-5 p.m., Pacific time.
Q. How should I train for my trip?
A. You’ll get the most enjoyment out of your adventure if you are reasonably fit. Try running, hiking, swimming or other aerobic activity for at least 20 minutes, three times a week, to help you stay in shape. If you’re choosing a biking trip, the best training is to get out and ride—hills and flats—several hours at a time on consecutive days. The key is to just do it—and want to do it again the next day. Once you reserve a vacation with us, we'll send you specific training tips for your trip.
Q. How do you accommodate people of varying abilities?
A. On most days of your Backroads vacation, you’ll have a choice of three mileage options. One day you might go for the most challenging. The next day, you may take it easy by choosing the shortest route, leaving more time for relaxation, exploration or mingling with the locals. You and your fellow travelers may spread out over several miles or you may choose to ride or walk together. For your peace of mind, one leader covers the route in a Backroads van, ready to offer assistance, refreshments or a lift to the hotel (or campsite).
Our trips attract people of varying abilities so there’s typically someone else traveling at your speed. This is ideal for friends and couples with different paces; they can spend the day with similarly fit travelers and then reunite for the evenings.
How long will we be active each day?
It’s up to you to decide how far you want to travel. Depending on the route options you choose and the pace you set, you’ll typically spend three to five hours each day, biking or walking or—on our multisport trips—engaging in a combination of biking and walking along with such activities as kayaking, rafting or snorkeling.
The number of activity hours you can expect for each level per day:
| Level 1: | 2-4 | |
| Level 2: | 3-5 | |
| Level 3: | 4-6 | |
| Level 4: | 5-7+ |
See our Activity Chart for more details about time and distance involved in each level.
Q. How do your leaders support the biking and walking routes?
A. On biking trips, one leader drives the support van, sweeping the route several times during the day and providing lifts and assistance as needed. Another leader rides the route, roving between groups traveling at different speeds. On walking trips, one leader usually takes the lead while the other brings up the rear. The amount of van support depends on the location of the walking routes. On trips with kayaking and rafting excursions, leaders typically team up with an experienced local guide to give you support and instruction.
Q. Do I have to carry any of my own luggage or gear?
A. The leaders transport all luggage between hotels (or campgrounds) in Backroads’ special trailers. They’ll also gladly pick up and transport any purchases you make along the way. You need only carry snacks, clothing and personal items for the day’s activities.
Q. Who travels with Backroads?
A. About half of the people who travel with us are between the ages of 35 and 55. Older and younger travelers are also well represented. Depending on your trip, you may meet solo travelers, families and couples. They’ll exhibit a diversity of interests and occupations and share a love of active travel and the outdoors. About one-third of our guests are Backroads alumni, while another third were referred by a friend.
Q. How large will my group be?
A. The average group size on all Backroads trips is 18.
Q. Are children welcome on all Backroads trips?
A. Backroads offers trips exclusively for families with kid-sized routes and activities. These trips feature family-friendly pricing. If you’re not able to take a Family Trip, your family may be able to join a non-family trip. We recommend that you talk to a Trip Consultant (at Call 800-GO-ACTIVE to speak to a Trip Consultant daily from 7 a.m.-5 p.m., Pacific time) to select the best trip for your family.
Q. If I'm traveling alone, will you find me a roommate or can I have a private room?
A. Our prices are based on double occupancy (two people per room). If you would like a roommate, we often can pair you with one (same gender). If no roommate is available, there is no additional charge if you sign up more than 60 days in advance of trip departure. If you sign up within 60 days, and Backroads cannot pair you with roommate, a single occupancy supplement will apply. On some occasions, twin rooms consist of one bed and one rollaway or foldout sleeper. On a few trips, twin room availability is limited; a single occupancy supplement applies if a twin room is not available, regardless of the number of days before departure.
Please note that in Europe, single rooms are often smaller than double rooms. Single tents are available for an additional cost on camping trips.
Q. Are your Singles+Solos Trips just for unmarried travelers?
A. No. While some guests are unmarried, others are married but are traveling without their spouse (perhaphs on their own, with a friend or sibling). All told, our Singles+Solo Trips bring together an engaging collection of individuals with a shared interest in being active and having fun.
Q. Should I bring my own bike?
A. Included in your trip price are Backroads’ high-quality, custom-designed titanium bicycles for use and enjoyment on all biking and multisport trips. In rare instances when Backroads bicycles are not available, models of comparable quality will be provided. If you choose to bring your own bike, your Trip Consultant can offer tips on the best ways to ship it to the trip start.
Q. Do you provide children's bikes?
A. We offer 20’ and 24’ children's bikes on all Family Trips, as well as Burley d'Lite carriers to tote children 60 pounds and under, and the Burley Piccolo trailercycle for children ages 4-10 or up to 85 pounds. Backroads is the only travel company to manufacture its own line of children’s bicycles.
Q. Can you provide me with guest references for your trips?
A. Absolutely. Your Trip Consultant will be happy to give you the names and telephone numbers of people who have participated in the trip you're considering.
Q. Can I purchase Backroads gift certificates?
A. Is your spouse a weekend bicyclist who has always longed to explore Tuscany? Is your daughter an enthusiastic hiker eager to lace up her boots in the Canadian Rockies? A Backroads trip makes a perfect gift for your active family and friends any time of year. Gift certificates are available in any amount and can be applied by the recipient toward any Backroads vacation, pending availability. To purchase gift certificates for the active travelers in your life, please contact us at 800-GO-ACTIVE (462-2848).
Q. How far in advance do I need to reserve my vacation?
A. The farther in advance you book, the greater availability of dates you'll find. For holiday periods and popular summer destinations, such as Yellowstone & Tetons, San Juan Islands, Italy and France, to name a few, we recommend reserving at least four to six months before the trip you’re interested in departs.
Q. Can I reserve my Backroads vacation with my travel agent?
A. Yes, Backroads accepts reservations from professional travel agents. If you prefer to have your travel agent handle your Backroads booking, please have him or her contact us directly. Pricing is the same whether you book directly with Backroads or with your travel agent. If you need an agency referral please visit our Travel Agent Referral page.
Q. Does information found on this Web site differ from that found in your catalog?
A. Because this site is continually updated to ensure posting of the most current information, trip dates and other details may differ from those found in our printed materials.
Q. What is Backroads' privacy policy?
A. Please refer to Backroads Privacy Policy page.
