Frequently Asked Questions

How hard is the biking?

Each trip description has a rating for the approximate overall level of physical effort you can expect. This rating refers to the terrain rather than the mileage covered. The mileage on all except the challenging trips is typically 25-45 miles each day, depending on the location of suitable overnight stops. Some of our trips offer more physical/outdoor activities and others offer more touring/sightseeing, so you should consider what kind of activities you want on non-cycling days. By the time of your trip, you should be able to bike 7 miles in 1 hour in rolling terrain with 20 lbs of weight on your bike. You don’t need to overdo it, but the more you train, the more enjoyable the first part of the trip will be.

How much money should I bring?

Trippers should bring some personal spending money to use for postcards, stamps, pay showers, snacks, souvenirs, etc. We recommend $40-50 a week for US and Canadian trips. This is the first time in many trippers’ lives that they keep track of their own spending money and budget wisely for a long period of time.

This creates a valuable learning experience for those who are not successful with their budgets and wind up short of spending. It is a safe atmosphere for learning these lessons since their basic needs are still taken care of through the funds carried by the leaders. The basic trip cost covers food, accommodations, activities during the trip, laundry, leadership, hostel membership if needed, and use of group equipment (cooking equipment, tents, bike repair equipment, and first aid kits).

What kind of food will I eat?

Breakfasts, lunches, and dinners are included in the trip cost. Trippers can buy any snacks with their own money at stores and campsites along the way. Groups prepare their own meals, shopping at grocery stores along the way. Trippers take turns on the cooking committee, and each committee must stay with the budget when buying the group food for that day. Except for normal desserts, group food money is not used to buy junk food. Food choices may be more limited than what you’re used to, but your leaders will ensure that the cooking committees buy food that is nourishing, filling, and easily prepared. People with special diets can usually be accommodated.

Do I have to know how to repair my own bike?

No. Your bike needs to be the right size for you, and you’ll need to get it checked at your local bike store shortly before the trip. When you arrive at SHP, we’ll check it over to make sure nothing went wrong in transit. Our leaders are trained in basic bike repair and are responsible for all repairs during the trip. Trippers can learn the basics during their trip by assisting their leaders.