This is a quiz to help you judge if a self-guided tour is right for you. It covers possible situations and characteristics that you may encounter on a self-guided tour, and can give you a better idea of what to expect.

1. IS A SELF-GUIDED
TOUR RIGHT
FOR YOU?

2. INTRODUCTION
Although not a new way of touring, self-guided tours are
still gaining popularity and not widely understood.
Particularly, with self-guided cycling tours, there are
many aspects that travelers do not take into
consideration before booking. Take the following quiz to
get a better understanding of some of the common
experiences and learn if you have what it takes to enjoy a
self-guided tour.

3. 1. DO YOU KNOW HOW TO NAVIGATE WITH
A MAP?
A. Is there another way to get from point A to B?
B. I can read a map, but I am better with landmarks.
C. Why do I need to read a map when I have a GPS and
my phone?
D. I like to just follow my instinct and take the road that
look prettiest.

4. DO YOU KNOW HOW TO
NAVIGATE WITH A MAP?
For self-guided tours it is extremely
important to be comfortable navigating
with a map. For many of our trips there are
added materials like cue-sheets, marked bike
path signs and sometimes GPSs which can
help aid navigation, but there will be times when
you cannot depend on these alone. It is common for
satellite signal to go out for sections of rides and road
signs can be very spars or missed all together. Even with
a good amount of familiarization before departing,
navigating based on instinct alone is an easy way to get
lost and miss your destination completely. If you are not
comfortable navigating with a map make sure there is
someone in your group willing to take the responsibility or
get some practice in before you leave. (Remember, if you
are coming from another country, road signs may look
very different but maps can be international.)Score: A.-3 B.-2 C.-1 D.-0

5. 2. YOU'RE ON A LONG STRETCH ON YOUR OWN, 30
MINUTES AWAY FROM THE NEXT VILLAGE...NO
SATELLITE COVERAGE YOU:
A. Freak out, turn around until you reach phone coverage
then call for a taxi.
B. Start to get anxious without the voice of the Garmin
lady and pedal faster.
C. Enjoy the brief bit without the nag of your phone, but
are thinking about lunch in the next town.
D. Feel complete Zen, you are happiest with just your
bike and countryside.

6. YOU'RE ON A LONG STRETCH
ON YOUR OWN, 30 MINUTES
AWAY FROM THE NEXT
VILLAGE...NO SATELLITE
COVERAGE YOU:
Part of the uniqueness of doing a self-guided
tour is that you will have the opportunity to get
a break from the world around you. Many feel
that getting out on the road alone with just
their bike or with those close to them can be
completely rejuvenating. On all of our self-
guided tours, it is likely that you will experience
this break and distance (depending on the tour
it may be only a short period or it could be long
stretches), but it is important for you to enjoy
this time and not panic. If you are the
panicking type or need constant reassurance
that you are on the right road and not alone, a
self-guided tour may not be for you.Score: A.-0 B.-1 C.-2 D.-3

7. 3. DO YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE FIXING A FLAT TIRE
AND WITH BIKE MAINTENANCE?
A. I didn’t know tires could be fixed.
B. I’ve watched my mechanic/spouse/friend change out
tubes and tires before, but I don’t have any
experience.
C. I have changed tubes and tires, but am a fan of the
bike shop mechanic.
D. Yes, I have a 17 point check list and know I ride with a
tire pressure of exactly 57 psi.

8. DO YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE
FIXING A FLAT TIRE AND
WITH BIKE MAINTENANCE?
If you are renting a bike from us we will have
completely checked over the bike before you
depart and we will help make sure everything is
fitted properly before you begin. However, no
matter how prepared you are, flat tires and
maintenance issues are still a part of the biking
experience. While it is a bit extreme and not
necessary to know your exact tire pressure and
detailed bike mechanics, having base level
experience and familiarity can make the difference
between spending your holiday waiting for a rescue
vehicle and getting back on the road. For a quick
tutorial on how to fix a flat, we suggest the video at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzqjoFAXA5I.
Score: A.-0, B.-1, C.-2, D.-3

9. 4. HAVE YOU ACCURATELY ASSESSED YOUR
FITNESS?
A. Yes, I can tell you the exact mileage and duration of
my rides for the last month.
B. I only work out sporadically but am an active person
and I know my limits.
C. I am generally tired by the time I reach the Starbucks
in town but I could totally keep going if I wanted.
D. Well, I haven’t been on a bike or exercised in years,
but an avid rider trip is the perfect start to a new
workout schedule.

10. HAVE YOU ACCURATELY
ASSESSED YOUR FITNESS?
When selecting a self-guided tour, it is critical
to have an accurate idea of your cycling
abilities and of those in your group. One of the
best parts of self-guided tours are that you
can set the pace that fits you best and not
have to constantly wait or worry about the
pace of a large group. That being said, it is
important to make sure you are able to
regulate your own pace so you can complete
the day’s ride appropriately. Selecting a trip
that is not in your ability rage, is one of the
easiest way to turn what could have been a
relaxing cycling holiday into a stressful journey.Score: A.- 3 B.- 2 C.- 1 D.- 0

11. 5. BEFORE YOU LEAVE YOU REALIZE YOUR
FOREIGN LANGUAGE SKILLS ARE NOT UP TO
PAR OR NONEXISTENT, YOU:
A. Get a small phrase book and brush up on your
charades.
B. Think shouldn’t my high school language classes that I
haven’t used in years be enough?
C. Everyone will speak English and we will have someone
to translate.

12. BEFORE YOU LEAVE YOU
REALIZE YOUR FOREIGN
LANGUAGE SKILLS ARE NOT
UP TO PAR OR
NONEXISTENT…
While the local representative who you will meet
with at the beginning of our self-guided tours will
speak English and usually at least one person at
each hotel will have basic English skills, it is likely
there will be times when you are out on the road
cycling through quaint villages and no one will
speak English. If this happens, it is important that
you are able to handle the situation regardless of
whether that means using your pocket dictionary
and basic French or a game of charades. If you are
easily intimidated in a situation without traditional
means of communication, a self-guided tour in a
may not be right for you.Score: A. - 3 B. - 2 C. - 0

13. 6. YOU ARRIVE IN A VILLAGE. IT'S LUNCH
TIME, THE ONLY PLACE SERVES A LOVELY
GIZZARD SALAD YOU:
A. Are so pumped to try the real local food and check
gizzards off your bucket list.
B. Stay optimistic, try it, and order a more tame local
dish too.
C. As it is the only restaurant option you head in and
insist them make something edible.
D. Take one sniff, think you should have stayed home
and call a taxi.

14. YOU ARRIVE IN A VILLAGE.
IT'S LUNCH TIME, THE ONLY
PLACE SERVES A LOVELY
GIZZARD SALAD…
Similar to when you are in a situation where
there is no one who speaks your language, on a
self-guided tour you may also experience times
when there is not access to familiar food. A
major part of traveling, is being open to new
experiences and cultures. While it is not
necessary or expected that you love or even try
all the different regional foods and it is rare you
will not be able to find any familiar food, it
happens and it is very important that you are
able to be open to and make the best of the
situation. In some cases this means, that you
have to be accept the cultural differences and
try to be flexible given the available options.
Score: A. -3 B. -2 C. -1 D. -0

15. 7. YOU THINK YOU SHOULD BE APPROACHING YOUR
DESTINATION SOON WHEN YOU REALIZE YOU MADE A WRONG
TURN AND ARE LOST YOU:
A. Get really scared, think you should have stayed home
and call a taxi.
B. Think great! I didn’t get to do enough exploring today.
C. Become anxious, but ask for directions and head to
familiarity as soon as possible.

16. YOU THINK YOU SHOULD BE
APPROACHING YOUR
DESTINATION SOON WHEN
YOU REALIZE YOU MADE
A WRONG TURN AND
ARE LOST…
It is highly unlikely that you will be able to get
through an entire self-guided tour without
making a single wrong turn. The nature of
self-guided tours are that they provide a great
opportunity for exploring while offering an
amount of security. We would never leave a
client stranded who could not find their way,
but on a self-guided tour it is important that
you are able to handle or better still take
advantage of this kind of situation. If you are
the type to panic easily, a self-guided tour may
not be for you as many times it takes a degree
of patience to make sure you able to arrive on
the right route.
Score: A. -0 B. -3 C. -1

17. 8. YOUR IDEAL RIDING SITUATION IS:
A. In the middle or back of a large group, following an
experienced guide.
B. With a close group of friends or family who are happy
to be together and exploring on the road.
C. You really like to ride alone, but on familiar roads so
you can be in the zone and not pay close attention to
directions.

18. YOUR IDEAL RIDING
SITUATION IS…
Self-guided tours give you the freedom to
choose exactly who you ride with. For people
who prefer to lead and explore independently,
a Cyclomundo self-guided tour is the perfect
option because you are able to set your own
pace and route with your select group of
friends or family. However, if you like the
security and camaraderie that a large group
provides, unless you have organized to cycle
with a large group of friends and family, our
self-guided trips may not be for you.
Score: A. -0 B. -3 C. -1

20. SCORES
1. A.3 B.2 C.1 D.0
2. A.0 B.1 C.2 D.3
3. A.0 B. C.2 D.3
4. A.3 B.2 C.1 D.0
5. A.3 B.2 C.0
6. A.3 B.2 C.1 D.0
7. A.0 B.3 C.1
8. A.0 B.3 C.1
0 to 8 Points
NOT for You
You are more suited to
the structure and
security of a cruise or
guided group travel.
We do not recommend
you take a self-guided
tour as it is likely to be
very difficult and
stressful for you to
complete.
9 to 16 Points
Consider Carefully
You should carefully examine
your goals for this trip and the
conditions. If you are aiming to
push yourself out of your
comfort zone a little, self-guided
could be a good fit but make
sure you are aware of conditions
(travel companions, location,
difficulty, etc.) before you
commit.
17 to 24 Points
You’ve got what it takes!
You are out for adventure
and looking for something
off the beaten path. You
know how to get where you
are going and take advantage
of any missed turns. Make
sure your travel companions
are all on-board for the same
trip and you should have a
blast!

21. IF SELF-GUIDED IS RIGHT FOR YOU…
You can find more information for all of our self-guided
tours at http://cyclomundo.com/vacations.html !