This is the three original Geezers on our first tour from Memphis to Vicksburg down the Mississippi River in 1998.
In the background is the SAG van driven by their much appreciated wifes!
Provided by Jim Foreman, Geezer's websiteClick to enlarge.
This is the three original Geezers on our first tour from Memphis to Vicksburg down the Mississippi River in 1998.
In the background is the SAG van driven by their much appreciated wifes!
Provided by Jim Foreman, Geezer's websiteHumans seem to like to categorize things. Like with so many other activities people have also tried to categorize touring. Some people even attempt to state that a particular type of touring is the one and only true way to tour. In reality I believe that while there are some general statements that can be made for touring there really is no "right" one other then the one that you yourself enjoy.
However since you are reading this as a presumably potential bicycle tourist I'll list some of the major designations that often come up.
Paid touring adventures and sag wagon touring
This category usually refers to people who ride with a touring company. Often the cyclists pay a fee and in exchange the route is preplanned for them and their non-bicycle equipment is carried for them in a motorized vehicle. The motorized vehicle is referred to as a sag wagon.
Sometimes these tours include paid guides in addition to the preplanned route maps. Often breakfast and supper are provided with the expectation that lunch will be discovered by the cyclist on the open road.
Another variation of this type of tour is for a family member or a friend to drive the sag wagon to each day's destination while the cyclist follows the route they have planned for the day.
A group of lightly loaded bicycle tourists on a tour of the Danube.
Mary Shaw
Photo by Mary Shaw (c) 2004
Click to enlarge.
Credit card or lightly loaded touring
Credit card or lightly loaded touring generally refer to a type of touring where the cyclist carries minimal gear on the bike. Usually the gear consists of some clothing and repair tools. At the end of each day the cyclist finds a motel or other lodging. Meals are consumed in restaurants, sub shops and deli's along the way.
Of course the name "credit card touring" comes from the implied use of credit cards to cover the lodging and meals.
My fully loaded touring bike on the first day of my Round Lake Huron tour.
Click to enlarge.
This is the bike used by Wayne Estes during his Nova Scotia tour.
Click to enlarge.
Self contained/fully loaded touring
Self contained or fully loaded touring is a type of touring where all needed equipment is carried on the bike. This includes shelter, cooking equipment, bicyle repair tools, maps, food and anything else that the cyclist feels is necessary to make their journey a success.
Fully loaded bikes can weigh anywhere from 50 to 100+ pounds when fully loaded.
As you can see from these two pictures, many different types of bicycles can be used to tour.
Kent Peterson provided this picture showing an ultralight weight touring setup.
Click to enlarge.
This is picture of Jeanie Barnett during a lightly loaded or unencumbered tour in Europe.
Jeanie considers Passo Giau to be prettiest pass in the Dolomites."
Click to enlarge.
Unencumbered or ultralight touring
Jeanie first proposed this category using the term "unencumbered" to describe it. She provided the following definition for this:
Unencumbered touring: Baggage < 16.5 lbs"
Kent suggested ultra-light or light-weight touring when providing his picture of a minimal camp.
I've grouped both suggestions together in this one category because the common element seems to be to keep your overall weight down to the bare minimum.
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