I Never Expected a Bike Tour to…

“OK, hold up,” you might say. “Nobody expects a bike tour to teach them how to fly.” And it’s true, I didn’t expect it—but nevertheless, it happened. There I was, zooming down a magnificent mountain descent with the wind rushing past my ears—and I found myself somehow soaring above the earth (just a few inches above the earth, but it was enough.) OK, you caught me… the bike tour didn’t literally teach me how to fly, but I did experience an exhilaration like the pure joy of flying in my dreams—but with more clothes on.

Before I took my first VBT bike tour, I was expecting expertly crafted itineraries, friendly local trip leaders, and high-end boutique accommodations—and VBT delivered on all counts. I wanted a selection of modern, well-maintained bikes—from sweet carbon-fiber road bikes to sturdy E-bikes with four levels of pedal assistance, plus included bike helmets, a variety of comfortable saddles, and on-tour bike mechanics to make it all work smoothly—and I got all that, too. What I didn’t expect was the way a VBT bike tour would transform me from the inside out—jump-starting my curiosity, infusing me with fresh energy, and inspiring a whole new way to see myself and the world around me.

If you’re open to it, a VBT bike tour can transform your life.

…Make Me Feel Like a Kid Again

OK, we’re all grown-ups here, right? So, ask yourself this—when was the last time you spent a full week when your only responsibility was to ride a bike? The first time I took a VBT bike tour, I was coming from an intense job with deadlines and pressure—not to mention a household to maintain, bills to pay, and meals to cook. Before I left, my boss pulled me aside and gave me the best possible piece of advice I’ve ever had—he said, “on this trip, your job is to have fun.” And he meant it. So, I packed up my cycling kit, paid the bills, cleaned the kitchen, and set off. Before long, I found myself coasting down a gentle arboreal slope, surrounded by deep evergreen forest—the scent of pine air filling my nostrils. And as I rolled down that gorgeous descent, my worries seemed to fly off my back like the wind. Whoosh! Gone were the tedious thoughts about health insurance, deadlines, and committees. All that junk just slid aside—it was like peeling away layers of adulthood to discover the little kid underneath. By the end of the bike tour, I could ride with confidence—giggling as I took the turns a touch too fast just for the fun of it. I hadn’t had that feeling since I was a kid riding around the neighborhood on a bike with a pink banana seat and handle-bar tassels. It was the most fun I’d had in years.

…Give Me New Confidence

When I embarked upon my first VBT bike tour, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Could I keep up with the pack? Would I look like a dork in my new cycling kit? What if I got lost? Very quickly, I discovered that my E-bike was the great equalizer—no matter how fast the peloton rode, the pedal assistance meant I could keep up with the pace if I wanted to. I also had a Ride with GPS Navigation app to keep me on track—so even if I hung around a little too long snapping photos of a jaw-dropping vista or sniffing out the perfect gift at a local boutique, I could easily find the pack again. Our trip leaders rode the route as well—and the one time I happened to get sucked deep into conversation with a local artist at a gallery along the way, it wasn’t long before I was swept back under their wing—my newly-acquired artwork stored safely in the support van. While I started out the journey a bit timid and unsure, I ended up with newfound confidence about my ability to take on any cycling challenge—given the right support.

…Help Me Make a Fresh Start

If you’re like me, maybe you get stuck in a rut every now and then. There’s no shame in it—we all find a pattern that works for us and tend to stick to it. But sometimes, it’s a great idea to give your tree a good shake and see what fruit tumbles down. When I got home after my first VBT trip, I could tell something had changed inside—I felt… well… triumphant. My face was brighter from the sunshine and exercise, and my sense of adventure was rekindled. I even felt a little younger—excited about the future and ready to take on new challenges. The truth is, I never expected a bike tour to open a new chapter in my life—but that’s exactly what it did.