Tips & Planning

Decades of adventure, distilled into expert tips. With years of crafting award-winning active tours—and insights from experts worldwide—we’re here to help you plan the ultimate biking, hiking or multi-adventure vacation. Discover travel must-dos and packing must-haves, and get a closer look at our top-tier bike fleet.

Woman biking looking at a grassy field
February 19, 2025

What To Bring on a Bike Ride

Ever wonder what Backroads guests and Trip Leaders carry—or wear—on a bike ride? Read on for a behind-the-scenes look at how one leader, Jeremy Loewenstein, gears up for a day on the road and his tips for what to bring on a bike tour.

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Backpack_river_crossing
February 19, 2025

How to Pack for a Hiking Trip

The world’s most stunning hiking trails, charming streets and cultural sites are begging you to explore them. Obtaining the right gear and trying it out beforehand will definitely help you get them most out of your hiking trip.

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Backroads Director of Operations Matt Fletcher introduces our new e-bike.
February 10, 2025

Video: Meet the New Backroads Hybrid E-bike!

Check out our new video featuring our completely redesigned, ready-to-roll titanium e-bike, which made its debut this summer! See Backroads Director of Operations Matt Fletcher introduce the Equalizer below.

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Death Valley, California
February 1, 2025

Five Great Books on the American West

As a Backroads leader. I rely on books to help connect me more deeply to the social and natural histories I encounter along my hikes and bike rides, which makes each step or pedal stroke feel that much more meaningful. For anyone heading into the open skies west of the Mississippi this summer, here are five terrific reads that will enhance your travel experience.

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Introducing the new Backroads Performance Bike
February 29, 2024

Video: Meet the Backroads Performance Bike

Check out our new video to get acquainted with the Backroads Performance Road Bike.

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Backroads Biker on the shores of the Danube River
January 9, 2024

Five Tips to Make 2024 Your Best Year of Travel Ever

As borders reopen around the globe, a world of possibilities is opening up for travelers. Read on and discover tips to make 2022 your best year of travel ever.

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hiker
September 26, 2022

Five Ways to Enjoy a Hiking Trip (Even if It's Your First Time)

Hiking offers different benefits to different people. Some enjoy the solitude; others enjoy disconnecting from technology or reconnecting with loved ones on the trail. Whatever your reasons might be for lacing up your boots, here are some tips on how to enjoy a hike, no matter your experience level.

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Introducing the Backroads Touring Bike
June 29, 2020

Video: Meet the Backroads Hybrid Bike

Check out our video to get reacquainted with a tried-and-true classic, the Backroads titanium Touring Bike.

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tres
January 31, 2020

Six Tips to Improve Your Adventure Travel Photography

People often ask us for advice on how to improve their chances of winning our annual photo contest. Read on for some tips to improve your travel photography and come up with some prized photos!

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electric assist bikes
May 29, 2019

How Fit Do You Have To Be To Go on a Backroads Trip?

It doesn’t take a pro-level fitness ability to have the time of your life on a Backroads trip! We design our trips with a variety of route options each day so you can meet or even challenge your own expectations of how far you think can go. A Backroads leader shares his tips on how to prepare for maximum power & fun on your next active adventure!

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