Bike touring is the ultimate in self-sufficient fun. Start and finish at your front door and stay away for as much time as you’ve got. Take the road less traveled and see the things you just don’t see behind the wheel of a car.

Touring brings to mind everything from dawn to dusk day-trip, to a coast-to-coast odyssey carrying everything you need to camp along the way. Just you, your bike, and all the gear you need to get away from home for as long as you want. While all aspects of cycling are growing, bike touring has exploded in the last few years.

Maybe it’s the economy. Maybe people are just looking for a new adventure. While it’s probably a combination of factors, either way taking up bike touring is the kind of thing that a whole family can do together.

A low-cost vacation is very attractive these days. If you want to go for a week or two in spring, summer, or fall, you can start and finish at home. Once you’ve got your equipment, other than food, sunscreen, and the occasional campsite, bike touring is virtually free.