Walt Ebbert's additional comments about supported bicycle touring

Walt Ebbert is a cyclist who enjoys fully loaded/self-supported bicycle touring as well as supported/SAG wagon touring. I suspect that if it has bicycle tour somewhere in the name then Walt likes it! He had the following additional comments to make about supported or SAG wagon touring.

A themed rest stop greeted Walt during one supported touring adventure.
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I have asked a few people that I have met at these supported tours as to why they tour this way versus self supported and it kind of amazed me that quite a few said that they were actually intimidated by the perceived complexity of "Self Supported".

Most of this type of response came from a "First Time" tourist.

They said that they would have absolutely no idea of where to begin, how to pack, what to pack, route selection, etc.

A well filled overnight campsite shows how popular these tours can be.
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Many pointed to a lack of equipment, especially "lightweight" camping equipment, as a reason.

Some said that they don't have the appropriate bicycle for carrying a load and when I mentioned using "BOB" trailer, they thought I was kidding!

They were also not so sure that they could ride the distances and may need to be helped into camp. When I would mention that self contained meant that they could stop and camp just about anywhere, I sometimes got a puzzled look.

Safety was a reason more than a few people used. Convenience was pretty high on the list too.

Lots of outside vendors appear to help you find what you are looking for.
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Of course, I have to admit some said that they were just too lazy to do everything themselves.

It also never ceases to amaze me as to the number of people that go on these tours and use them as "training rides". I'm sure you know what I mean, first out of camp trying to be first to the new location. They have absolutely no idea as to what they are missing.

One of the main reasons that I lean toward supported tours right now is that it's easier for me to get a week to 10 days off a few times during the year versus 3-4 weeks in a row , I find that I'm able to tour 3 or 4 totally different area's in a year, not to mention different times of the year.

A Spring Tour in the South, Summer up North and Fall in the Mountains. As Nancy said in her interview, all you have to do is show up and ride. All of the logistical things are taken care of.

I realize that the planning and preparation are a vital and somewhat enjoyable part of any tour and I enjoy this aspect as well. That is why I also try to take at least one "short" , maybe only 200-300 miles or so, self contained trip a year.

Submitted by Walt Ebbert

Walt raises a number of good points. It's my hope that this web site goes some of the way towards helping people new to touring learn more about bicycle touring prior to their first adventure. Having said that both Nancy and Walt have convinced me that at least one supported bicycle tour is in my future. One that I've often enjoyed day dreaming about is the Tour du Canada!

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