Martha's Vineyard & Nantucket Bike Tour

The tour is 5 days long with all 5 days being cycling days.

The terrain on this trip is relatively flat to rolling. Biking routes follow mostly well-maintained roads and bike paths with little traffic, though you may find some sand, gravel and windy sections. Note that traffic in the towns increases on holiday weekends.

Remember, take your time and go at your own pace—you're on vacation! Your Trip Leaders are there to provide the support you need when you're ready for a snack, a cool drink, or a lift back if you're done for the day. Most days you'll have a choice of mileage options, so you can decide how active you want to be—it's always up to you.

Each of your Trip Leaders plays many roles during your vacation: guide, host, caretaker, naturalist, chef, historian, troubleshooter, interpreter. These remarkable individuals have highly developed instincts for making people comfortable, for seamlessly handling the logistics of travel and for successfully navigating a wide range of unexpected situations.

They're passionately committed to ensuring you enjoy an exceptional vacation—smooth, flexible and tailored to your needs. With their knowledge, professionalism, enthusiasm and service ethic, they're the number-one reason people return to travel with the tour operator again and again.

Food is an important part of the experience. For lunch we look for the best way to capture the essence of the region. It may be a Grand Picnic, when your Trip Leaders prepare the freshest and healthiest local fare at a carefully chosen setting along the day's route; a boxed lunch; a packed lunch; a meal together at a favorite restaurant; or the opportunity to have lunch on your own.

Spring and fall are ideal times to visit Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard. Daytime temperatures are usually pleasantly warm, though warmer, more humid weather is
possible, as are cooler temperatures if the fog rolls in. The islands can be windy at times, so be sure to bring a wind resistant jacket. Rain is always a possibility, so come prepared with waterproof, breathable rain gear.

Fall is a popular time to visit the East Coast, typically with  mild weather ideal for cycling. On occasion, severe weather events (such as hurricanes) can occur in this time of year, bringing with them heavy rains and sometimes flooding. Please know that if we encounter severe weather that requires changes to the trip itinerary, your
Trip Leaders are experts at adapting. In very rare cases we may be forced to adjust hotels or even cancel your trip due to extreme weather.

Yes, you can choose from 3 different types of bike.

If you'd prefer to have your own pedals, helmet or seat, feel free to bring these along. Your own gear can help to make your time on the bike as comfortable as possible, especially if you're someone who likes to log a lot of miles. Your leaders will be happy to put on your pedals and seat for you at the beginning of the trip.

The following items are included with all titanium bikes. Trip Leaders also have full tool kits on hand and are available to do mechanical repairs.

• bike helmet

• two water bottles

• safety triangle

• lock and cable

• tube and patch kit with tire levers

• pedals (with toe clips/straps, if requested)

• rear rack and reflective trunk bag

• map case

• wide range of gears

• GPS device

Yes. If you plan to bring your own bike, it should be tuned and in excellent mechanical condition and ready to ride before the trip starts. Otherwise, you are welcome to use the tour operator's bikes.

If your bike is new, ride it at least 50 miles (to break it in) and then have it adjusted by a professional mechanic. Please bring only one bike per person.The following items on your bike should be properly adjusted and in good condition: brakes and brake pads; the headset, pedals, cranks and hubs; gears; derailleurs; handlebars; tires and tubes; brake and derailleur cables; and the chain. Make sure the bike is well lubricated, the wheels are true, and the seat, seat post and handlebars are adjusted and tight.

If you are bringing your own bike and are comfortable doing minor on-the-road adjustments, you may want to bring a multi-tool. If your bike is highly specialized, bring any tools—and extra spokes and tubes!—that are specific to your bike. Use the list on the previous FAQ as a guide for recommended equipment if you are bringing your own bike.

The Public Health Emergency for COVID-19 declared by the World Health Organization and the US Department of Health and Human Services expired May 11, 2023.

Effective June 1, should a guest choose to travel when positive or symptomatic with COVID-19, they will be required to wear a mask indoors and in vehicles, and to dine separately from the group.

Additionally, traveling unvaccinated may cause trip disruption. Backroads will not offer refunds or expense reimbursement to those unable to join a trip or take part in certain activities due to not meeting requirements. We ask that all guests carry a mask, as local regulations or vendors may require them in certain settings.

Travel Insurance: In the event a physician recommends you discontinue travel or not join your Backroads trip due to COVID-19 or other illnesses, consider trip insurance to help protect your travel investment.

Regional Entry Requirements: Please note that some regions (especially international destinations) have COVID-19 requirements and/or documents needed for entry.

Last update: Oct 2023