Introducing the new touring class

Do you want to experience the freedom of self-supported touring? Need some help getting started with the right equipment? Join us and get ready for your tours!

Classes take place on Saturdays (dates to be determined). We try to time the sessions to coincide with the big holiday sales events so that you can take advantage of special pricing for any needed equipment.

Tony Le, past President of ACTC, will introduce you to the various types of touring and then dive into his favorite tour - the self-supported tour. Tony is an enthusiastic road biker and experienced in bike touring. From classic touring with panniers, to a folding Bike Friday with a trailing suitcase, and to the latest bikepacking gravel bike, Tony has been going on bicycle adventures for over three decades. Learn to pack for a weekend trip on a bicycle and it will open doors to the whole world. From local trips to Grant Ranch, Santa Cruz, Monterey, or Russian River, from the San Juan Islands, along our beautiful Pacific Coast, from the French Alps and Pyrenees to the Italian Dolomites, when you tour by bicycles, the world is on your side.

In the 1st class, Tony will show you his ideal touring bike and equipment. In his 2nd class, he will discuss equipment, evaluate your individual bikes, and give you suggestions for your own touring set-up. You'll have an opportunity to test some of the equipment on your bike or another bike. After classes are completed and you are comfortable with your bike and equipment, Tony will lead you on a 10-plus mile group ride where you can use borrowed or your own equipment to test your setup.

Once you've completed this comprehensive course, you'll be ride-ready for the Spring touring season.

Administrative

Course requirements

Participants must be a current Active member of ACTC and at least 18 years of age. To check you ACTC membership or to join the club, just click here.

Fees

The Tuition fee for the Bicycle Touring Course is $25. The fee is applied to any overnight touring expenses and is non-refundable once you have attended the first class. Each student will be responsible for additional individual overnight expenses and meals.

Class Size is limited to 10 students.

Enrollment:

If you are interested, send an email with your contact information to the Academy Registrar at registrar.academy.actc@gmail.com.

When classes are available and you are ready to sign-up, just click on this link and complete the enrollment form.

What you need for the first class

• Cycling helmet
• Your touring bike-in good working order, see FAQ note below
• Unpacked bags/panniers-only, see FAQ note below
• Lunch or snack and water

NOTE: If you do not own a touring bike, panniers, or any other touring specialty gear, we recommend that you plan your purchase after the first class and before the second class. The initial meeting is designed to give you information that will aid in the selection of appropriate equipment that will meet your touring needs.

About our Instructors

All Academy staff and instructors are experienced and qualified volunteers. The 2023 course will be led by Tony Le.

Tony Le is the current President of ACTC and a League Cycling Instructor (LCI) certified by the League of American Bicyclists.

FAQ

• Q: I would like to start touring, but the rides sound too challenging. Will there be easy options?
• A: We will try to be flexible based on the abilities of the students that sign up. If you have a particular concern, please contact us.


• Q: Will I need a new bicycle?
• A: Probably not. There are more options today than ever before to transform most bikes into semi-touring bikes.


• Q: Is there any equipment available that I can borrow?
• A: The club has four panniers and a front rack and there are some club members willing to rent their trailers.


• Q: Will we reschedule classes or tours in case of bad weather?
• A: The self-contained camping trip can be rescheduled but not the hostel. We discuss this further in class.