Slow or Fast?

• Slow and Fast only exist as relative terms to other people.  Speed does not matter as long as you are moving on the bike!

• “You will be ready for a tour with Lizard Head Cycling when you are finished with a Lizard Head tour.”

• Who Rides Our Tours?  The Median age of our cyclists is in the early 50’s.  First time bike tourers to 5,000-mile a year hammer-heads ride our tours.  Many cyclists ride their first century on a Lizard Head tour.  These tours are about exploration and feeling great after a big day on the bike.  We guarantee a tour with Lizard Head Cycling will be a highlight of the year.

• How the Shuttle Works?  Lizard Head Cycling provides daily mileage options that allow cyclists of varying abilities to enjoy our tours. One of our favorite options is to give cyclists a “bump” via the support vehicle.  A bump is a 10 to 20 mile lift down the road representing an hour of pedal time.  After the bump the rider is now “off the front” and riding at his or her own pace without feeling they are being left behind the group.  It allows riders to linger and take in the spectacular scenery.

Ride Difficulties: Can I Really Do It?

Unless someone can stop working, it is difficult to simulate riding a week-long bike tour.  The pressures of family and work are too great. The time just doesn’t exist.  With that said, a week-long bike tour is a life-affirming experience.  Cyclists on our tours regularly end up riding more than they ever thought possible and reconnect with their physical self, the natural world, and friends.  Since we have all day to reach the destination, take it one step at a time.   Breath the air, see the sights and you’ll enjoy being alive.

Do the Bump!

Daily mileage options allow cyclists of varying abilities to enjoy our tours. One of our favorite options is to give cyclists a “bump” via the support vehicle.  A bump is a 10 to 20 mile lift down the road representing an hour of pedal time.

After the bump the rider is “off the front” and riding at his or her own pace without feeling they are being left behind the group.  It takes at least an hour to reel-in cyclists with a 15-mile head start; as a result off-the-front riders have time to linger and take in the spectacular scenery.  Cyclists come together in time for lunch.  After lunch cyclists can take another bump and/or continue riding.

Tour Ability Levels:

Lizard Head Cycling’s tours are designed with generally more challenge then many/most bike tours.  On our tours the standard mileage is greater while providing cyclists with lower-mileage options (many companies are vice-versa).  As a result our lunches are set up at “lunch-time” 25 to 50 miles into the day (the half-way point or just beyond).  We usually set up lunch at the top of the day’s biggest climb.  After lunch the support vehicle goes ahead until it reaches the front and then sets up the next aid station.

Intermediate Cyclists:

Defined as weekend cyclist comfortable and is looking for a challenge.  The intermediate cyclists generally has never ridden a multi-day tour.  One month prior to the tour an Intermediate tour the cyclist should be able to ride 2 times a week equaling a total mileage of 50 miles or more.  A typical schedule for the Intermediate cyclist’s ride is 1 shorter ride during the week (spin classes do count) with a longer road ride on the weekend.

• Intermediate Tours offer 150 to 300 miles per week.
• Our Intermediate Tours: Glacier National Park, Mountains-to-Rivers Colorado Bike Tour, Texas Hill Country.
• NOTE: The Mountains-to-Rivers Colorado Bike Tour and Texas Hill Country tours are considered Intermediate to Advanced Tours that intermediate cyclists have successfully enjoy.

Intermediate to Advanced Cyclists

Defined as the weekend cyclist who is comfortable on a bike & has some multi-day touring experience.  One month prior to an Intermediate to Advanced tour the cyclist should be able to ride 2 to 3 times per week equaling 85 miles or more. A typical schedule for an Intermediate to Advanced cyclist is 2 shorter rides during the week (spin classes count) with a longer road ride on the weekend.

• Intermediate to Advanced Tours offer 250 to 400 miles week. 
• Our Intermediate to Advanced Tours: Utah Mountains & National Parks, Tour de Gila, Redrock Canyons, and New York & Vermont-Montreal 

Advanced Cyclists:

The standard itineraries on advanced tours are geared to the experienced rider.  These tours reach upwards of 400-plus miles per week and/or offer a great deal of climbing.  With this said, Intermediate cyclists have enjoyed Advanced tours with Lizard Head Cycling.  The Advanced rider is defined as a rider with previous week-long touring experience who regularly rides upwards of 150 miles per week.

• Advanced Tours offer 350 to 550 miles week. 
• Our Advanced Tours: Colorado Climbing Camp (aka: Elevation Celebration), Colorado Cols. 
• NOTE: The Redrock Canyons, and New York & Vermont-Montreal tours are considered advanced tours that intermediates have successfully enjoyed.

• If you have questions about your ability to ride our tours, please contact our office (info@LizardHeadCyclingGuides.com or 970.728.5891).