RAGBRAI. BRAN. RAW. GABRAKY. BAK. GOBA. XOBA.
This isn't a command that Klatuu gives his robot in the movie, “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” or the agency listings in an acronym-crazy state government phone book.
Dyed in the wool bicyclists will recognize these as just a few of the shortened names among the dozens of mass participation, across-state bicycle tours that are held every summer in the US.
The recession economy doesn't seem to be hurting the popularity of these outings. In fact, David Harrenstein, head of the National Bicycle Tour Directors Association, told AP:
“Especially with the whole green movement, and people trying to be healthy and live longer, organized bicycle tours seem to be holding their own in terms of popularity.”
Tours fill up
That's great news, but not particularly surprising.
For the past five years I've been collecting basic contact and registration information on these rides at “Across State Bicycle Rides.” I've noticed that some rides fill up within a week — some within hours — of registration opening.
Some of the older rides, such as RAGBRAI and Ride the Rockies, rely on a lottery system due to the overwhelming demand for spots.
Look after rider
I agree that the desire for a greener and more healthy lifestyle is part of it. In most cases, it's an affordable vacation where organizers look after most of the riders' needs.
One tour organizer I spoke with at the Seattle Bike Expo last month told me there are just three things required for operating a successful bike tour: Good directions, a place to sleep, and somewhere to get beer at the end of the day.
That was an oversimplification, but it sums up the desire of participants not wanting to get lost out on the road and their desire that food and lodging (usually camping) be squared away ahead of time. And the end-of-the-day beer is just a form of camaraderie and entertainment.
Demographics
Harrenstein said that despite the fact that slightly more than a quarter of bicyclists in the US are 45 or older, the average age of participants in these rides are around 50. That was echoed by Winona Bateman of the Adventure Cycling Association, the non-profit which presents about three dozen supported and self-contained bike tours every year.
Men usually outnumber women. Also interesting is that tour organizers say that people come from many states to attend the bike tours. The Bike Ride Across Nebraska sees riders from 35 to 37 states every year.
More bike tours
I'm glad the AP has given these multi-day bicycle rides their due with some publicity. The reporter mentions Cycle Zydeco, RAGBRAI, Bike Ride Across Nebraska, Ride Idaho, and Bike the Border (North Dakota).
That's just the tip of the iceberg. I've listed about 150 such multiple-day bike rides that are scheduled throughout 2010 at Across State Bicycle Rides.
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