Before Tour

PREPARATION FOR TOUR – ALL THE DETAILS!

WHAT INFORMATION WILL BE PROVIDED TO ASSIST IN PREPARATION FOR TOUR?

Organization is important when preparing for tour.  Our goal to provide information to you via email in a manner that will be both usable and timely.

In January, after the holidays, Tour Talk, fourteen weeks of informational emails will begin arriving in your inbox. Due to the amount of information that is provided, it is more digestible in weekly emails than it would be all at one time.  We hope you take to heart the information that is shared with you.  Each “nugget” has been developed by CrossRoads over the past twenty years as important information that will provide value to you through your preparation process, including:

The FIRST information you will receive is:  

  • Tour Itinerary

  • Packing list

We also encourage you to begin checking online for travel protection – just in case.

NEXT, you will receive:

  • Arrival at tour details – to be sure you have ample time to plan

  • Departure from tour details – often time family members may want to join you

  • Bike transportation recommendations

  • Bike packing information

  • Recommended bike set-up

  • Outline of the daily routine of tour

  • Tips and Tricks for Long Distance Cycling

We will also remind you to continue training through the winter as you look forward to your tour beginning in May!

FOUR MONTHS BEFORE TOUR 

  • Airport transportation

  • Hotel information for early arrivals and extended stays

  • Proper recovery food and drink for long distance cycling

  • Bike saddle, shorts, chamois cream recommendations

  • Favorite cycling products

  • Bicycle overhaul recommendations

  • Bike packing instructions for your local mechanic

  • Where and when to ship your bike at the start of tour

  • Bike packing process (options) and shipping at the end of tour

  • Cleaning supplies provided during tour

  • Energy bars and gels provided during tour

THREE MONTHS BEFORE TOUR 

  • Hotel address list – friends and family may choose to join you on a rest day!

  • Sample route sheet – we use RidewithGPS

  • Tour itinerary

  • Orientation schedule in Los Angeles

  • Boston schedule – Celebration banquet, wheel dip and farewell luncheon

  • Desert safety

  • Cycling in inclement weather

  • Bicycle handling skills and drills

TWO MONTHS BEFORE TOUR 

  • Bike cleaning Tips and Tricks

  • Packing tips for “life on tour”

  • A Typical Day on Tour (support, meals, routine)

  • Overview of tour life (laundry, Route Rap)

  • Protocol for group riding

  • Hand signals and voice commands

  • Safe cycling procedures

In addition to providing information to you, we will be in touch with you to collect information from you to ensure your tour experience is seamless from beginning to end.

During this time we will ask you:

  • Arrival date in Los Angeles?

  • Will you fly or drive?

  • How will your bike arrive?

  • Do you prefer to assemble your bike yourself or use our partner bike shop?

  • What type of bike will you ride? Size? Components?

ONE MONTH BEFORE TOUR 

It’s almost tour time!  Check your mail box or door step for:

  • Your CrossRoads team jersey

  • Two CrossRoads duffel bags with name tags

  • Packing tips

  • Name label for your bike’s top tube (if shipping)

End of Tour: Information regarding departure from tour, including bike shipping and (your) guests for meals, will be gathered during the last weeks of your tour. Often time plans change during tour. We like to keep it simple on the front end!