Bike, Eat, Stay: ‘Getaways’ Is Airbnb For Cyclists

A new company gives cyclists the power to start up their own mountain bike guide services. Locals provide access and tours on nearby trails, and arrange lodging and dining.

Most cities do not have mountain bike tour providers. Centric to popular mountain towns, guided mountain biking thrives in populous areas with well-developed trails.

Sacred Rides broadens that formula with the Getaways Program.

The Getaways Program is twofold: It teaches prospective guides how to create a legit operation, and then connects them with mountain bikers from across the world looking for places to stay and ride. It’s similar to booking with Airbnb.

With an ambition of 100 guides across 10 countries, the Getaways Program will add a new dimension to mountain bike tourism by mid-spring.

How It Works: Getaways

It all starts with an application and interview. Interested guides filter through Getaway’s parent company, Sacred Rides Mountain Bike Adventures. Sacred Rides evaluates applicants for riding expertise and business savvy.

Once vetted, Sacred Rides teaches prospective guides how to start their own mountain bike businesses. Guides learn marketing, SEO, and customer relations.

All guides are required to know wilderness first aid, and carry necessary permits and insurance.

For The Mountain Bike Traveler

Getaways Guides treat clients with food, lodging, and mountain biking. They book local hotels or home-sharing services, select approved dining spots, and craft mountain bike adventures with an insider’s perspective.

Because guides build their own services, no two adventures are the same. Some offer merely snacks, trail passes, and guided mountain biking. Others offer lodging and complete meals.

The trips last one to two days, perfect for an extra day on a business trip, or for somebody looking for a less time-intensive biking adventure. Currently, the U.S., Canada, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Chile, Peru, Switzerland, South Africa, Singapore, and Australia all have Getaways programs.

“The Great Escarpment Escape” in Waterloo, Ontario, costs $150 for the basics — snacks, shuttle to the trailhead, lunch — but also includes chilled microbrews, and a local t-shirt.

Is The Getaways Program For You?

By 2018, the program hopes to have a mountain bike adventure in every country. Think you have what it takes to become a guide? You can apply now. Not interested in guiding? Check to see if the area you visit has a getaways biking adventure.