I am fond of bikes and would like to go on a tour. But many people are discouraging me. They think I am crazy and lack maturity. I want to know is there any travel agent who would support my idea.

There are several bicycle tours available in many different parts of the world via BootsnAll's adventure travel section.

While I fully support buying from Boots if they have something appealing to you, I have found their selection a bit limited. Pretty much any agent that advertises themselves as specializing in adventure travel should have something involving bikes, though how much selection much varies from agent to agent. One I'm familiar if Trek Escapes, since they put on cool travel shows around here.

There's also the option of purchasing tours locally. There's probably someone in most countries. One I've used is The Biking Dutchman, which does tours in Ecuador between 1 and 8 days. Their thing is downhill riding...they take you uphill by truck, and then you ride down. Lots of fun, but not real cycle touring.

The last option, which most of my friends do, and I'm hoping to give a go at some point in the near future, is just stick your own bike on a plane, and do your own trip. Renting a bike is an option some places, but most rental bikes are really intended for fair weather day use...racks and fenders are infrequent, but indespensible touring accessories. Rentals are also pretty heavily biased towards mountain bikes, which aren't the ideal touring platform if you're mainly going to be on roads.

We are currently cycling from Indonesia to India and generally speaking, there is absolutely no need for you to book a tour. Just get a decent enough bike (don't go overboard, it's not necessary), a tent and go.

If you need inspiration head over to CrazyGuyOnABike and you'll see that there are thousands of bicycle tourers out there and you'll find them in developed and cozy Europe and America as well as in rough places such as Africa, Tibet and the Atacama Desert.

Never let non-cyclists discourage you from bicycle trips - they simply don't know what is feasible.

If you want some more, detailed information, send me a PM.

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