Tips & Planning

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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!

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!

Dreaming of traveling in Italy, but not sure if you can navigate the land of pizza and pasta with a gluten allergy? Go ahead, book that trip—incredible gluten-free Italian dishes await!

Writing about the "why" of picnics at Backroads in a recent blog post got me thinking about the "how..." I certainly wasn't born knowing how to create a bountiful spread for 20+ people in the middle of nowhere, and our guests are always curious where this seemingly magical skill comes from when they roll up to an overflowing lunch table. So here are a few tips and tricks I use when creating some of my favorite dishes. Try them the next time you're tasked with pleasing a throng of long-lost relatives or picky eaters and bring some Backroads organization, aesthetics and deliciousness to the table!

Exploring a new place actively, whether on a bike or your own two feet, sets a pace that enables you to appreciate its sights, sounds and smells, to experience its depth beyond the tourist attractions, and to notice details of its character that might slip by if viewed from a car or a tour bus. Both cycling and hiking offer excellent ways to experience a new place, and whether you want to push your limits or take it easy on your trip, Backroads offers a trip sure to appeal to you. The question is: how do you choose?