Self-guided travel after covid: Today we received a bit of good news and confirmation, in an e-newsletter from our industry peers at the Travel & Adventure Show group. This indicated that self guided travel will be the most sought after type of travel when people return to travel in the post COVID-19 era. As we have specialized and focused on self guided bike tours and self guided hiking tours for over 25 years, that is great news for us! And it makes sense, of course. When you think about the exact opposite of self-guided travel, it is something like a cruise ship, which has come to symbolize virus and transmission of illnesses. While small group travel also shows to be appealing to some, we know that any type of travel will be some time in coming.

From a survey by the Travel & Adventure Show group:

• 1700 people who have attended these shows and are identified as “Travel Enthusiasts”; Over Half will Still Travel in 2020
• Over 56% stated they would not make changes to their current travel plans for 2020 (24.7%) or are re-booking for later in 2020 (31.5%).
• In reference to what types of travel options will they be looking for in the future, approximately 60% are planning on both self-managed international and domestic vacations.

The hard to read text is:

• Small Group International
• Small Group Domestic
• Self Managed Domestic
• Self Managed International
• Cruise
• Other

The gold/yellow (3rd)  and turquoise/aqua (4th) colored bars are showing interest in self guided travel. As it is called here, ‘self managed’, we take it to mean the same as self guided travel. This is a huge jump in a way of traveling that was virtually unknown when we first started selling self guided bike tours in the late 90’s. If you are not familiar with self guided travel, have a look at that link which describes it in detail. But in brief, a self guided trip is kind what it sounds like – travel without a guide. You are the pseudo guide and you manage your day to day itinerary. This is about the only common denominator because after that, you can find all kinds of self guided offers, which vary greatly from one another.

Pure Adventures has been offering upscale and customizable self guided adventures as hallmark and with a unique market position for 20 years. We know better than anyone how this works. But important to note, there are many more stripped down versions out there, where few services are included, thus bringing down the price. In turn, this increases the amount of work that the traveler must manage. Regardless, more people will come to experience self guided in the new travel environment and this is good not just for us tour specialists but also, for many others.

New destinations where there are fewer crowds will be sought after, which will bring more awareness of many amazing travel-worthy destinations. Money will flow into these lesser known destinations and create new micro economic opportunities. Self guided travel puts travelers in direct contact with local people – typically a good thing in normal times, as travel is meant to create learning, understanding, and culture exchange. Self guided travel is less expensive, leaving room for possibly more trips or more spending in destination, or both. Self guided travel also levels the playing field for local services and outfitters, to supply travelers with experiences that they find on their own.

As all self guided adventures are not created equal or meant to be the same, it is important for a traveler to ask questions, compare what is included, and evaluate the service provider. Do you want to do it all yourself? If so, you can and just make arrangements directly with in destination services. If you want some help but wish to retain certain things for your own effort, there are companies who sell slimmer versions of a trip for more DIY travel. Lastly, there are all inclusive self guided trips, where you can leave all of the logistics of organization up to the tour company. Then, all you have to do is show up and enjoy your time as you like each day, just you and your traveling party, the people you know.

Self guided travel typically keeps you in your own private party – alone, as a couple, as a family, or as a small group of friends – always the people you know. This level of limited exposure is what is attracting people most to self guided, as they think about travel in the post COVID-19 era. We are ready and waiting, and we hope the be a leader in helping people return to travel when they are ready!

(Photo credit Mads Pihl & Visit Greenland)

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See the rock formations of Bryce Canyon National Park, hike beneath towering red walls of Zion Canyon, and explore the slots of the Grand Staircase-Escalante.

Southern Utah is filled with beautiful and unique rock formations, slot canyons, and magical hard-to-reach wilderness corners. The best way to explore the areas around Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park, and Escalante National monument is on a human powered adventure. There are countless options for exploration, from hiking trips to slot canyons, backpacking in Zion and Escalante, to cycling scenic highway 12. It can be difficult to plan the perfect adventure in Southern Utah because of all the amazing options, but with a few tips you can easily decide on the best hiking, backpacking, or cycling trips in the area around Zion, Bryce, and Escalante.

WHAT’S YOUR TRAVEL STYLE?

Do you prefer the intimacy of day hiking through twisting slot canyons, or is the solitude of backpacking trip more your flavor of travel? Do you crave the rush of riding over undulating slickrock or would you rather conquer long smooth road climbs to breathtaking peaks, plateaus, and picturesque campsites? Southern Utah offers countless options in each of these travel styles.

Hiking and Camping

GO GUIDED:

Hike Bryce, Zion, and Escalante – 5 day camping trip

DIY Day Hiking: Day hiking is a great way to see a wide variety of the iconic destinations in the area and allows you to choose your accommodations flexibly. There are endless opportunities for day hikes to choose from in Southern Utah such as Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park or exploring the Zion Narrows, hike Wall Street in Bryce Canyon National Park or venture out on the lesser-known Fairyland Loop trail, visit Lower Calf Creek Falls in Escalante, or hike the veritable wonderland of Escalante’s slot canyons such as Willis Creek, or the Peekaboo and Spooky canyons loop.

Learn more about Hiking & Camping with our partners at AOA!

Road Cycling

GO GUIDED:

Cycle Bryce, Zion, and Escalante – 5 day camping trip

DIY Road Cycling: The scenic roadways of southern Utah provide some of the best road bike touring options in the American southwest. Explore Zion by bike, there are a number of great options for cycling within Zion National Park and the surrounding area. Further east, cycle scenic byway 12 through the pastoral towns nestled in the Escalante wilderness. Don’t forget to top at the Kiva Coffeehouse just east of the town of Escalante for a refreshing pick-you-up in the most scenic cafe you’ve ever seen.

Learn more about road cycling with Pure Adventures and our partners at AOA!

Mountain bike

GO GUIDED:

Grand Canyon, Thunder Mountain, Gooseberry Mesa – 6 day “best of” trip

DIY Mountain Biking: Less-known than the slick-rock hotspots of Moab and the mountainous terrain of the Wasatch range, the singletrack of southern Utah is not to be ignored. Just a few miles from Bryce Canyon National Park you’ll find Thunder Mountain, a high elevation thriller through canyons and tall pines this is a great addition to your visit to Bryce. Further west near Zion, Gooseberry Mesa and the trails outside Hurricane are not to be missed. Consistently ranked among the top trails in Utah, Gooseberry Mesa offers challenging technical features blending classic slickrock sandstone with jaw-dropping views of the Zion National Park and the surrounding area.

Learn more about mountain biking with Pure Adventures!

Article by Annemarie Medrzycki /AOA-Adventures

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With the holidays behind us, and the new year upon us, thoughts go to new year’s resolutions and finding ways to live better, healthier, and happier.

How do you see yourself accomplishing your goals in 2016? For you, does living better mean acquiring the latest tech, appliance, or maybe a home reno? Maybe being happier and healthier comes with a new gym regime and improved diet. All of these make perfect sense – ultimately how you make 2016 great is uniquely personal with no wrong answer.

But let’s say for a second, being the best version of yourself in 2016, meant less things and more experiences. It could be as simple as foregoing the purchase of that new tablet, for a weekend family excursion, or deciding to hold off on a small reno to discover a new culture abroad. Whatever “experience” means to you, making personal growth a priority and creating memories, is never a negative.

So, in the spirit of personal development and betterment in 2016, here’s our 5 Reasons To Buy Less & Experience More In 2016.

Taking Risks Keep Us Growing.

It’s been proven that by testing your boundaries, taking risks, and exposing ourselves to new experiences, we become more creative and better able to handle adversity. Think back to when you achieved something really great – were you just going through the motions or trying something new? Likely you were stepping outside your comfort zone. Whether you’re defintiion of risk is trying an adventure travel vacation or taking up a new hobbie – by pushing your personal boundaries, you’re growing.

Things Collect Dust.

It’s really a no brainer – things get old, break down and become obsolete. In most cases we shelve them, where they collect dust after a few short months after the novelty wears off. Experiences however, take on new life by becoming stories, and stories rarely collect dust – told countless times in years to come to your kids, friends and relatives. Life experiences endure – things don’t.

Creating “Good Stress”.

There’s no doubt, moving into uncharted territory and trying new things can be stressful. Believe it or not, a little stress is good for your body. According to Daniela Kaufer, associate professor of integrative biology at the University of California, Berkeley. “Some amounts of stress are good to push you just to the level of optimal alertness, behavioral and cognitive performance.” (credit: Berkeley News) In other words, moving out of your comfort zone puts your brain and your body into a position of peak performance. Some exciting travel, trying a new sport, or even testing the waters in a new career, can benefit your brain and body.

Strengthening Relationships.

We’ve all heard the old saying “A family that plays together, stays together”. This especially rings true when opting to invest in experiences over things. By going beyond your own front door, and moving your eyes from a device to the real world, you’re not only taking in new people, places and things, but you have the opportunity to share and enjoy them with family and friends! With tech making virtual experiences more accessible every day, we run the risk of distancing ourselves from those around us. It’s so important, now more than ever, to unplug, create memories, and strengthen relationships. Not sure where to begin, especially in the frigid temps? Here’s a hot tip

Redefine Yourself.

Not all of us, but many of us in North America, have become defined by our possessions. It’s almost impossible not to get wrapped up in the newest, biggest, and fastest of what companies churn out on, what feels like, a daily basis. But what travellers will tell you, is that when they escape this – then return to it, they go through a sort of “reverse culture shock”. By trading things for experiences, you can’t help but risk an entire redefinition of what you see as valuable. The latest Ultra 4k HD 60” TV no longer has the same appeal after hiking the rim of the Grand Canyon  or taking a self guided bike tour through Piedmont wine country. 

Experience for yourself any number of our upcoming tours here!

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Outside Magazine has just issued its latest awards; this one is found here:
www.outsideonline.com/adventure-travel/travel-awards/30-Trips-to-Take-This-Year.html

Pure Adventures is mentioned for our cycling tours in California in support of the award to California as a top road cycling destination.

From the article:  #19 Best Road Biking: California

“The Golden State has 800 miles of coastline and half a dozen mountain ranges—and you can ride practically all of it year-round. From coastal tours like the supported eight-day, 525-mileCalifornia Coast Classic from San Francisco to Los Angeles, to foodie-friendly tours along the back roads of Sonoma (visit sonomacounty.com for routes, rentals, and outfitters), to epic climbs like the five passes and 15,000 feet of elevation gain through the Sierra Nevada during the annual Death Ride ($135), California has greater variety than just about anywhere. Get route maps online at the California Bicycle Coalition, or sign up with an outfitter like Pure Adventures. Its supported, self-directed six-day tours from Yosemite to San Francisco or through Death Valley National Park let you decide where to ride, sleep, and eat, but a leader in a van sets up snack stops and water refills and hauls your gear. It’s like an egoless, six-cylinder domestique ($1,495 for six days).”

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Sedona, Arizona’s four-season red rock playground, is famous for it’s beautiful lush green landscapes, purported to have spiritual properties that nourish your mind and soul. What may not not know is that Sedona is home to an eclectic dining scene, that after a day of cycling or hiking on Sedona’s desert trails, will nourish your body.

Whether you want to stop for a midday treat or indulge in a post-ride meal, these 5 wallet-friendly restaurants in Sedona can’t be beat.

Indian Gardens Cafe & Market
3951 N. State Route 89A, Sedona

Nestled in Oak Creek Canyon you’ll find the historic Indian Gardens Cafe and Market, Trip Advisor’s top pick in all of Sedona for dining. For more than 70 years Indian Gardens has been a gathering place for residents and visitors. Stop in mid-ride for a hearty sandwich (made with all fresh ingredients and homembreaade bread) that will keep you fuelled for hours. Our tip: take home an Arizona wine from Indian Gardens as a souvenir of your time in Sedona.

Sedona Memories
321 Jordan Road, Sedona

Skip the tourist traps on Sedona’s main strip and head to Sedona Memories, where massive sandwiches on soft, fragrant homemade bread make it a favorite for locals and visitors alike. Starting at $6, these sandwiches are definitely easy on your budget and are big enough to share with your riding buddies making it by far one of the most affordable places in Sedona to grab a bite to eat. Our tip: Sedona Memories is only open for lunch, so grab a sandwich to go by packing it either in your jersey or pannier.

Red Rock Cafe
100 Verde Valley School Rd Ste 107, Sedona

This breakfast and lunch spot is a hidden gem! Red Rock Cafe is tucked away in a strip mall and could easily be overlooked – but savvy diners flock to the sunny patio for delicious (and cheap!) grub. The powerhouse breakfast of an 8 ounce handcut New York steak and 2 eggs is only $12.99 – and more than enough protein to keep your legs going all day long. Our tip: Red Rock Cafe is open at 6:30 – why not ride from your hotel for an early bite to eat?

Pisa Lisa
2245 West Arizona 89A, Sedona

This isn’t your typical pizza joint. Boasting organic ingredients, thin delectable crusts baked in wood-fired ovens, it’s tempting to eat fill up on the pizza – but you will certainly want to leave room for dessert! These pizzas taste even better than they look. Our tip: If you are cutting out gluten from your diet, ask for a gluten-free pizza crust – available for all pizzas on Pisa Lisa’s menu.

Oak Creek Brewery and Grill
336 Route 179, Sedona

Beer lovers, this is your go-to place to toast your epic rides! Open late, so you can take your time exploring Sedona, head over to Oak Creek Brewery for a hearty meal with Southwestern flair. Ribs and burgers cooked over a wood-fired grills are what they’re famous for – try the Baja Burger or Black and Blue for a change from the usual ho-hum burgers. A huge selection of beers, including their award winning seasonal ales are on tap. Our tip: take home a growler filled with your favorite brew.

To learn more about cycling in Sedona, check out our supported self directed tours. Contact us to customize your Sedona vacation.

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Imagine reigning supreme over the inclines and passes of world famous Death Valley National Park, or conquering the notorious climbs of Arizona’s Sky Islands? This year, Pure Adventures, pioneers in cycle tourism, invites cyclists to experience Western USA’s most challenging and world-class routes with their newest label, Supported Self Directed: a visionary blend of guided and self-guided cycle touring that retains the independence of a self-guided trip, but provides the peace of mind from expert guidance. Pure Adventures’ new SSD trips debut this fall across California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah.

“We wanted to replicate our renowned self-guided model at home in the American West, but the challenge is that there are so few services here to support independent cyclists over such great distances,” says Loren Siekman, founder and CEO of Pure Adventures. “After brainstorming with our expert team, we found a unique solution and the Supported Self Directed label was born. We’re thrilled to launch the brand new travel concept this fall.”

Non-riding companions are also warmly welcomed, making it easier for couples to travel and enjoy the destination together. Best yet, Pure Adventures offers fixed SSD departure dates, allowing for a minimum of six participants to affordably share costs, without the confines of sticking to a group itinerary. Custom departures are also available for private groups of six or more.

Supported Self Directed travel is the clever touring option for cyclists who’ve graduated from guided trips and are interested in riding at an epic destination with logistics that are challenging to master independently. Pure Adventures’ SSD trips include:

4-day Epic Climbs of Arizona’s Sky Islands SSD Cycling Tour
6-day Yosemite to San Francisco SSD Bicycling Tour
6-day Death Valley Bicycling Discovery SSD Tour
6-day Tucson & Borderlands SSD Bicycle Tour
5-day Bryce Canyon & Zion SSD Cycling & Hiking Tour
6-day San Francisco to Los Angeles SSD Cycling Tour
6-day San Diego Surf & Turf SSD Cycling Tour

These trips open up difficult or isolated tracks to a wider range of rider levels, including the less-advanced set. Cyclists can tackle the route at their own pace and freedom, but benefit from having some support, like professional planned route notes and daily briefing, top quality bicycles, luggage and gear transfers, lodging, SAG stops, and access to a daily bike mechanic who’ll even share tips on where to try the best brew in the area.

See the Pure Adventures full supported self directed tour calendar here.

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Depending on where you live, summer cycling can feel like you’re in sizzling Death Valley – unless of course you live in Missoula, Montana, where it was hotter than Death Valley last week. Of course, while Death Valley is sometimes regarded as the hottest place in the United States, the winter temperatures are quite moderate and perfect for cycling, as cool and comfortable as a spring day. That’s why Pure Adventures arranges departures to this legendary destination between November and March.

That said, summer cycling has its own challenges, most related to avoiding heat related injuries. Keep your cool with these 5 tips from cyclists and bike touring veterans.

Hydrate before you even get on your bike. 
“Hydrating before pedaling helps you avoid drying out on the road,” advises Bicycling magazine’s Marianne McGinnis. Ideally, drink 12 to 16 ounces of water four hours before you plan to ride, drinking another 12 ounces in the two hours before you hop on.

Save the black clothing and accessories for cool weather riding.
Gordon Fisher is a bike commuter in the California desert, where the temperatures can soar above 120F. Fisher opts for a white helmet with plenty of vents and light colored, loose-fitting clothing. As a commuter he wears t-shirts and khakis, but the same benefits could be gained from baggy MTB shorts and a light weight jersey.

Start your rides early in the day.
“Riding through the midday heat is the surest way to fry your brain and body during a bike tour,”  warn Friedel & Andrew, the bloggers behind the bike touring blog Travelling Two. If you can, start your training or your tour day earlier in the day to avoid the harsh midday sun.

Ditch the backpack, install a rear rack.
“A heat wave is also a good incentive to take that load off your back,” says Portland-based cycling activist Elly Blue. If you’re in the habit of wearing a backpack for either commuting or carrying your gear during your cycling vacations, break the habit by installing a rear race and panniers on your bicycle.

Watch for danger signs that you’re getting too hot.
Even the most experienced cyclists with the best planning and hydration strategies can make mistakes by either timing their rides wrong or riding longer than they should. That’s why when you’re riding in the heat, you need to constantly monitor your body to ensure that you’re keeping cool. “Heat stroke can happen quickly and it can be fatal,” warns Laurel-Lea Shannon, an avid cyclist and editor of Women’s Cycling. Dizziness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps and headaches are all signs of heat stroke.  “If you experience any of these symptoms, stop cycling, find some shade to lay down in, and replenish your fluids,” advises Shannon.

While cycling in the summer has it’s challenges, so do cycling in the winter!  Skip the snow and check out Pure Adventures’ Death Valley Bicycling Discovery Tour, a new supported self-directed tour that lets you ride in one of the most amazing places on earth. Want to learn more about Death Valley? Here are 8 weird things you probably didn’t know.

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If you’re wondering what the weather will be like on a summer hiking trip in Zion National Park or Bryce Canyon National Park, the Utah Visitor’s Bureau sums it up nicely: Generally speaking, Utah is best experienced with an extra bottle of water and some sunscreen.

With daytime temperatures peaking at 102F in July and August, it is essential that hikers heading to Utah’s National Parks for a day of adventure pay careful attention to their water and food intake.

“Hiking, like any other activity, can wear you out. It’s important to be proactive about maintaining your health and hydration during your hike. It’s important to bring water with you whenever you go hiking, ” says avid hiker and runner Elaine Brewer.

“One issue with carrying water is that it weighs a lot. When mapping out your route, note any water that comes close to the trail and is potable. Sometimes, it’s easier to bring a water filter and pump water from a local stream than carry extra water with you, as long as you’re sure a safe water source is available,” advises Brewer. 

The National Parks Service publishes a list of Water Source Conditions on their website for both Zion and Bryce Canyon, noting which sources are dry, trickling or flowing. Remember to always purify the water from any natural source and to confirm with the Park’s Visitor Center upon your arrival that water is indeed available at the sites listed online (they’ll have the most up-to-date information). While it’s a must for self-guided hikers to carry their own water, it’s important to know that even on guided hikes, you will be required to carry your day’s supply of water. 

“Another issue with water is that if it’s over consumed, you can wash out essential electrolytes, especially when you are exerting yourself. I am one of those who washes my electrolytes out very easily,” says Brewer. Tell tale signs that your electrolyte levels are dropping include fatigue, headaches and eventually stomach pain.  To avoid this, carry a bladder of water and a small bottle of concentrated electrolyte drink, like Gatorade. “I drink from the bladder every few minutes and drink from the small bottle of Gatorade every half an hour to maintain my electrolyte balance,” says Brewer.

Eating well while hiking goes hand-in-hand with proper hydration. Brewer admits that regular snacking on the trail is something that slips her mind, especially if the trails are technical and she is focusing on not tripping. “If you are the type of person that won’t stop for a meal break, make it a point to snack every two hours, even when you’re still on the move. I set my watch or phone alarm to go off every couple of hours or so to remind myself to grab something to eat,” says Brewer.

Tasty and protein-packed trail snack choices include oatmeal chocolate chunk cookies, commercially prepared energy bars, peanut butter sandwiches, quick cooking rice or tuna. Brewer tends to save fruit for the end of the day, to avoid a sugar crash. On-the-go quick energy carbohydrate snacks like Honey Stinger chews or plant-based Energy Bits should be used alternately with higher protein foods.

A little preparation goes a long way to ensuring your comfort, health and safety when planning a hiking trip in Utah’s national parks. Pure Adventures offers a supported cycling and hiking tour in Utah but for a list of all the hiking, biking, mountain biking, and camping tours in Utah visit the Utah adventures page.

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Self guided tours make up a significant volume of adventure travel vacations. For years, the only known option for most people was a guided bicycle vacation. The description is obvious, but to summarize, this historic trip was a package a traveler booked with a tour operator offering a vacation with a specific departure date and a minimum number of participants. However guided trips have evolved in recent years, with more companies offering custom guided trips and pricing their tours to operate with fewer participants. On the other end of the travel spectrum are self contained tours, where you do everything on your own, such as equipment, accommodation bookings and design the routes. In the middle are self-guided tours, offering travelers travelers what Pure Adventures’ believe is the best of both worlds (being self-guided travel pioneers, we’re a bit biased!).

With such a wide variety of bicycle tour options, how do you pick the option that best fits your travel personality? Here is a round up of the different types of cycling vacations in the marketplace and suggestions on which one might be the best one for you.

Self Guided Vacations

We are proud to be pioneers in the self guided travel Pure Adventures pioneered and perfected the art of self-guided travel. Every one of our self-guided cycling and multisport tours is a complete and very affordable vacation, tailored specifically for active, independent and curious travelers who demand exceptional value and flexibility. The majority of Pure Adventures’ travel cycling and hiking itineraries are self guided.

We include:

• accommodations
• most meals
• bike rentals
• detailed route maps with turn by turn instructions
• local expertise and some support (in case of weather changes, for example)
• luggage transfers
• professional travel services to help customize your trip

Choose a self-guided bicycle vacation if you:

• have “graduated” from guided tours and want more flexibility during your vacations
• can confidently read maps and road signs
• prefer to explore your destination at your own speed
• feel comfortable traveling in a country where the primary language is not your own
• have a good level of fitness and can comfortably cycle the distances outlined in the itinerary
• want to choose your own departure date
• want to travel with your cycling club and reap the benefits of group travel (like reduced costs)

Fully Guided Tours

Fully guided cycling vacations are the ultimate in luxury travel. Not only do you get to explore some of the worlds most fascinating destinations, but you benefit from the extra support and meals not included in self guided  vacations. Sometimes the logistics or safety concerns of traveling in a destination make a fully guided tour the best option. For example, our Ecuador and Galapagos tours are fully guided, making certain experiences only possible with a local guide. With a fully guided tour, nearly everything is included (gratuities and alcohol being the few exceptions).

Choose a fully guided tour if you:

• have never been to this particular destination before and want expert guidance
• visit a remote destinations or undeveloped destination that can only be done with a guide
• want a more full service experience
• have a good level of fitness but like the idea that there is support in case you can’t finish the route on a particular day

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