Sojourn Bike Tours & Active Vacations
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A Typical Day on a Sojourn Bike Tour
The beauty of a bike tour with Sojourn is that there is really no such thing as a typical day. Every day brings a variety of options for biking, sightseeing, or even lounging by the pool at the inn. You choose what suits your fancy - after all, it’s your vacation! |
Here’s snippet from the journal of a recent traveler:
While my wife is a bit of a cycling fanatic, I’m more of a “weekend in the park” bicyclist. Honestly, I wasn’t sure about a bike tour vacation but decided I’d be a sport and give it a try. After the first day, I’m pleasantly surprised that we can both go at our own pace then join up later for picnic lunch or at the inn. It feels really good to arrive at our inn pleasantly tired at the end of the day, and find cold lemonade, hot showers, fluffy towels and fluffier beds awaiting; our luggage already in the room!
7:30am—I awake, totally refreshed after a terrific night’s sleep at this lovely inn. As my wife rolls over for some extra zzz’s, I decide to hop out of bed. The aroma of fresh brewed coffee down stairs is calling my name. The leaders are already busy filling our water bottles and checking our bikes. Every bike is well tuned for the day’s ride.
7:45am—I pour a cup of coffee to bring my wife and head back to our room to welcome her to the day. Funny, she’s usually the early bird but she’s really relaxed and unwinding after only the first days of our bike tour.
8:00am—While I debate between fresh strawberry jam or local honey on my croissant, the guides are loading our luggage into the van to transport it to the next inn. We only carry our camera, sun-lotion, and an extra snack on our bikes.
8:30am—Our guides hand out maps and give us an overview of our choices for the day, including the various cycling options and places of interest along the way. Even though they have done this trip many of times, I can tell they’re as excited as we are.
9:00am— We’re on our way. It’s a beautiful sunny day and everyone is eager. But come to think of it, yesterday’s ride in the rain was fun too! The die-hards cycled right through it all of course, (and competed for dirtiest clothes award at the end of the day) but the rest of us happily piled into the van for an impromptu tour of a local winery. It’s a vacation after all, not the Tour de France!
 10:00am—I get a little distracted with the scenery and was just beginning to wonder if I took a wrong turn, when I see the Sojourn van stopped ahead. Of course they won’t let me get lost – maybe that’s why I wasn’t really looking at the route directions. We are welcome to grab a ride in the van at any time, whether just up the next hill or for an even longer stretch—we decide… it’s our vacation.
11:00am—Snack time. There’s lots of fresh fruit and cold water on offer. Also a secret supply of fresh oatmeal cookies that doesn’t remain a secret for long! I decide to join my wife and the group she’s been riding with. After a morning of leisurely rolling along, I actually feel like pushing it a bit. I surprise my wife by keeping up with her and the rest of “the big dogs” all the way to lunch. (It’s all in the gears!)
12:30pm—As we round a bend, we arrive at a scenic spot where our leaders have set up a decadent picnic lunch for us. Lunch is served until 2 pm, so both the faster riders and the leisurely cruisers can bike along at their own pace. The leaders seem to be everywhere at once but never seem to be in a hurry. They make what must be a demanding job look easy and really appear to enjoy what they do.
2:00pm—After a curried chicken salad wrap and some pasta with homemade pesto I feel well-fueled for the afternoon. Of course, an apple and a couple of those oatmeal cookies find their way into my bike bag. I head off for the afternoon’s ride at a more leisurely pace with a fellow I sat next to at dinner last night. We chat about a variety of topics as we pedal though a beautiful valley, and eventually join up with several others in our group.
 3:15pm—Our tour leader riding their bike today (one is always in the support van and the other on their bike) pedals through the group to let us know that there’s a great little stream to cool off in a half-mile ahead. A couple of us stop to wade in the crystal clear water while the others continue on, intent on getting to the pool at the Inn.
4:45pm—I’m feeling quite comfortable on my bike and am surprised to find myself getting to the end of the day’s route. Maybe there’s another page in the route directions that I’m missing? No, there’s the sign for our inn just coming into eyesight. Those lounge chairs by the pool look pretty inviting, but so do those wicker rockers on the front porch – decisions, decisions . . .
4:50pm—The innkeeper welcomes me (by name!) and shows me to our room where my luggage is waiting. My wife is already in the Jacuzzi, and I’m soon soaking in there myself. After freshening up there is still time for a leisurely stroll together around the inn’s gardens. Others choose a dip in the pool, have a massage, or walk into town.
6:30pm—We join a gathering on the porch for happy hour, where we all toast another great day and our deepening friendships. The pace and flexibility of this trip makes for easy camaraderie and it’s fun to share our enjoyment and excitement with each other.
7:15pm—We all move inside for dinner. The conversation is friendly and engaging, and stories of our day’s adventures bring laughter as the sun’s afterglow fades behind the hills. I choose the fresh halibut and my wife opts for the salmon with Pinot Noir sauce; both are delicious.
9:00pm—After dinner, my wife and I join another couple for a walk around town. We listen to their enthusiasm as they describe the other Sojourn vacations they’ve been on. I let them know that this is my first active vacation but that I’m really enjoying myself. My wife, naturally, responds immediately and vows to call Amy back in the Sojourn office to book another bike tour as soon as we return home.
10:30pm—Bedtime calls, and I crawl into bed with my journal and try to sum up the day. With so many enjoyable things to remember, I simply drift off to sleep dreaming of tomorrow's adventure and what delicious surprises the leaders will cook up for picnic lunch!
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