Your Trip Consultant has noted that you will be bringing your own recumbent bike. Below are some things for you to consider. If you’ve changed your mind and have decided instead to ride a Backroads bike, please let your Trip Consultant know right away.

Shipping Case

If you plan to fly or ship your bike to the trip start, please check with your Trip Consultant to be sure there is a place to store your case during your trip. Many trips do not start and end at the same place, which can lead to difficulties retrieving your case at the trip’s end.

Is Your Recumbent Easily Transported?

Due to the space limitations of our trailers, we can only accommodate recumbents that can be broken down/folded or those with a short wheel base (those with the wheels under the rider’s legs).

Packing for Your Trip

Remember to bring some spare tubes and parts for your recumbent that match your bike’s specifications.

Is Your Bike Ready for Five or More Days of Riding?

Please keep in mind that the typical day on a Backroads trip may contain 25 to 45 miles, or about 4 to 5 hours, of riding. If you have not ridden distances of this length before with your recumbent, we suggest you do so before your trip so you know its strengths and limitations.

Route Support

Depending on the size of your recumbent (even those with a short wheel base), there may be times when one leader will not be able to accommodate it in the van along the route. In this case it will need to be transported in the trailer, and the trailer is not always with the van during the day. Please understand these issues may limit the number of opportunities you’ll have to call it a day and hop in the van.

Bike Etiquette During Your Trip

In order to ensure a safe experience for everyone, all cyclists must respect pedestrians and other cyclists by using safe speeds and signaling when passing. On mixed-use pathways, pedestrians have the right of way. When passing, you should slow and give them space. And when you’re passing other riders, you should call out, “On your left!” so as not to surprise them.

Spare Bikes

Your Trip Leaders may not have a spare bike available should you decide mid-trip you no longer want to ride your recumbent or in the event of a malfunction. This is also true should you decide last minute not to bring your bike on the trip.