The Newest Concept in Bicycle Touring - Pure Adventures' Supported Self-Directed Cycling Adventures

Feb. 5, 2015 - PRLog -- SCOTTSDALE, AZ,  – Bicycle vacation specialist Pure Adventures (http://pure-adventures.com/) announces ‘Supported, Self-Directed’ adventures, a new concept in cycling vacations that lets guests enjoy many of the freedoms of a self-guided/independent trip with the sag wagon service and trip leader support of a fully guided tour.

“This supported self-directed concept (http://pure-adventures.com/ssdtours/) allows independent cyclists to ride and explore remote destinations where roadside assistance or local services may not exist, essentially creating their own ride complete with all the support needed,” says Loren Siekman, Pure Adventures (http://pure-adventures.com/) founder/owner. “The support van and trip leader assigned to transfer guest luggage from one overnight stop to the next also assist with ‘sag’ stops along the route (every 20-25 miles), provide a lift for shorter ride options, help with mechanical matters, and handle any on-road emergencies or questions.

Supported self-directed itineraries require that a minimum of six people sign up for the same fixed departure date and program. However if six friends or family members sign up, then they can choose their own exclusive departure date.

“Even though six or more clients are traveling more or less on the same route, they are under no obligation to fraternize and for all intents and purposes may remain as independent of one another as they like. The only common denominators are that their luggage is in the same van and they’re most probably staying at the same inns,” Siekman said. His company manages all logistics, makes all reservations, and provides all vehicles, trip support leaders, as well as high end bike rentals.  “It’s a perfect middle ground between fully guided and independent/self-guided at a price point more closely resembling a self-guided trip.”

The advantages of supported self-directed travel include lower trip rates, no appointed meal and departure times and the freedom to sightsee at leisure. Enroute guests can tap into the expertise of the company’s ride leader who knows bike mechanics, supplies fresh water and healthy snacks, advises on caution stops, suggests things to see and do and provides transport to guest-selected restaurants.

“In this format, we may suggest but are not organizing group activities such as museum visits or wine tastings often included in a fully guided trip. And though trip distances on these programs tend to be longer than most of the self-guided trips we offer, shorter ride options exist thanks to this Sag support. It is the perfect option for couples of different abilities,” said Siekman.

New for 2015, Pure Adventures’ (http://pure-adventures.com/) Supported Self Directed itineraries include:Death Valley (http://pure-adventures.com/show-tour/3/Death+Valley+Bicyc...), Bryce & Zion National Parks (http://pure-adventures.com/show-tour/7/Bryce+Canyon+%26+Z...), Epic Climbs of Arizona (http://pure-adventures.com/show-tour/99/US+Epic+Climbs+of+Arizona%27s+Sky+Islands), Yosemite to San Francisco (http://pure-adventures.com/show-tour/98/US+Yosemite+to+San+Francisco+SSD+Bicycling+Tour), and several more County Kerry & Cork in Ireland (http://pure-adventures.com/show-tour/133/Ireland+Biking+Cork+County+to+Kerry+County+Supported+Tour). Coming later in 2015 will be new and challenging trans-Pyrenees and trans-Alps trips plus other long distance rides with less mountain climbing demands.

For more information please see http://pure-adventures.com/ssdtours/

About Pure Adventures

Pure Adventures emerged in 2004 from Discover France Adventures (founded in 1994 by Loren Siekman) to meet North American client requests for high-quality, self-guided cycling tours beyond just France. Pure Adventures leverages and utilizes local expertise for route development, sites to see, people to meet, where to eat, and shop and experience life as a local would. Pure Adventures award-winning tours are competitively priced and meticulously planned with substantial behind-the-scene support creating a unique combination that makes a bicycle adventure more easily accessible to today’s active traveler.

This company pioneered self-guided tours in Europe in 1994 and recently launched its first itineraries in North America via exclusive partnership with the Southwest’s most diverse and extensive (over 400) bicycle rental fleet owner and adventure outfitter. Other equipment rentals include kayaks, camping and backpacking gear.

Pure Adventures’ tours in 2015 span Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Scotland, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland and now the United States with the introduction of 20 programs in the West.

The company adheres to eco-friendly living and low-to-no-impact travel. Vehicles and other energy consuming resources are not used to support self-guided tours. Electronic communications, cloud storage systems and document sharing help diminish paper printing and storage. Through annual donations the company supports sustainable travel and carbon offsets. Contact them by phone: 800-960-2221 or 480-905-1235, Email: info@pure-adventures.com, or visit online: http://pure-adventures.com.