Travel Notes: Bicycle tours offer small-group adventure

Are you craving a "different" vacation getaway this year? Something out of the ordinary? Stimulating? A total departure from the everyday grind?

A bicycle vacation is something for you to consider. These are not "roughing it" vacations; they are sightseeing by bicycle. Travelers stay each evening in first class hotels, country inns, villas, chateaus, or rustic lodges. Meals are included and feature some of the area's finest restaurants, selected for authentic regional cuisine.

You travel with a small group of 15 to 20 people, giving you an opportunity to become better acquainted with your group.

Each group is escorted by competent, fun-loving leaders. Most leaders are college graduates, many with advanced degrees. Their average age is over 30, and some are teachers, physicians, biologists, and social workers.

Individual abilities and interests are catered to. Each day you are given a new map with two or three different route options and mileage ranging from 15 to 70 miles. Tours are rated easy, moderate and challenging. The bicycling day can be between three and six hours long, leaving plenty of time for exploring, sailing, shopping, hot-air ballooning, vineyard ex-ploring, antiquing, etc.

A fully equipped support van goes with each tour. If you should decide to ride only part of the route, the van will give you a lift. It also carries the luggage, group equipment and food. If a bicycle needs repair, the van is equipped with spare parts and tools. If you need a cool drink or snack, you can flag down the van at any time.

A variety of tours, included weekend trips. On a weekend Colonial Williamsburg Tour, bicyclists can travel along the York River through the Yorktown Battlefields of the Revolutionary War, stay in Williamsburg, and on the second day go to Jamestown Island, the location of the first permanent English colony.

Other destinations are the Cape Cod Islands, Santa Fe/ Taos, the California Wine Country, the Lakes of Switzer-land, and Chablis and Burgundy in France.

Domestic tours range from two to five days, international from seven to 17 days. Bicycles are available for rent.

Families are welcome on many tours, and some tours are designed specifically for families. Singles are welcome, as well, and some dates are set aside for singles only.

Individuals can also arrange for customized private tours, in which case arrangements can be made for larger groups or just two.

(Linda Strait is president of House of Travel Inc., a full-service travel agency in Springfield.)