Q: Do you rent motorcycles?
A: No, but we have a teaming agreement with several companies that do. Through these agreements we offer several models of motorcycles and help with the arrangements. We meet you at the airport and take you to pick up your bike.
Q: How can I get my bike there?
A: Other options are available if you choose not to ride. Many guests trailer their bikes, you are welcome to park your trailer at our base hotel during the tour. Or you can ship your bike: it travels uncrated and only needs to have the gas drained. Our preferred shipping company has worked well for several years, we'll connect you with them and provide a shipping point. Bike travels from business to business, the one on your end most often your local dealer.
Q: I usually prefer to travel alone, do I have to stay with the group?
A: A great deal of flexibility is built into the tours allowing you to travel on your own and at your own pace while still taking advantage of our knowledge of the roads and arrangements for meals and lodging. Like an especially twisty section of road? Ride it twice! Want to see a friend or attraction not on the tour route? No problem, we can adjust your tour as you like.
Q: Are any meals not included?
A: Lunch and evening meals are not included on the options days, since people go off in all directions. This allows you to travel at your own pace and arrive at your leisure without a deadline. We provide a list of options, maps and selections of our favorite restaurants on those days. Otherwise, breakfast and dinner are provided every day. Lunch is not covered since some people will be on an alternate route.
Q: How much riding experience must I have?
A: The roads of Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona definitely have their challenging sections. This is not the place to learn to ride. Generally, anyone who has ridden for at least two years and has taken a formal rider education course is up to the challenge and ready for the reward. The tours travel paved roads that are generally in very good condition and similar to your roads at home, except steeper with sharper curves. The guide rides at a leisurely pace and stops often. We are always open to discussion on technique and advise you of upcoming road conditions.
Q: My partner is not as enthusiastic as I am about riding - any solutions?
A: The support vehicle follows the group. We can arrange for a passenger during any part or all of the tour. It stops at all the scenic overlooks and meal stops so a passenger may choose to ride anytime. Our lodging is always deluxe, often with pools and hot tubs, and our restaurant selections will delight both of you. Shopping opportunities abound…
Our tours by design are relaxed and care-free, a good environment for a romantic getaway. Be with other riders as much or little as you like.
Q: How will my motorcycle run at high elevations?
A: Due to the reduced amount of oxygen at higher elevations, the fuel mixture becomes rich. You can expect about a 20% loss in power, rough idle and slow throttle response. Spinning the motor at slightly higher rpm's helps to keep things cleared out and we've never had a bike on tour that refused to run or was damaged by running rich. It is most apparent at altitudes above 10,000' where the scenery is so spectacular and the roads so twisty that you won't care if your bike runs a little rough.
Q: What will the weather be like?
A: Good question! The Colorado tours take place mid-summer to give the mountains a chance to warm up and have less likelihood of rain. Temperatures during the day in the mountain valleys are usually 60 to 90ºF. It will cool off to 40 or 50 during the night. The mountain tops and higher elevations are cooler, often by 20º. The Southwest tours operate in the spring and fall, taking advantage of the warmer climate in New Mexico and Utah and extending into the mountains of Colorado. The Arizona tour takes place in early spring and late fall to avoid hot temperatures in the deserts and take advantage of the nice climate in the mountain region. We recommend you be prepared for a variety of weather and any items not used can be carried in the trailer.
Q: I've had the experience of "vacation failure". What is my assurance that this won't happen?
A: You'll be riding with like-minded friends through beautiful scenery with knowledgable guides who regard you as old friends and take care of everything for you. What could go wrong? Yes, we know. Things happen, weather happens, breakdowns happen. But because of our back-up equipment and chase van, many things that could cause a "vacation failure" are usually just a minor set-back. Your guides know the area intimately and always have restaurant and lodging reservations confirmed.
About the "Cures". These are events or thoughts that erase any mental clutter you may have with work and other parts of your life. A holiday without enough Cures has a high probability of vacation failure. As you may have guessed, we have this covered. Cures average one per minute on the mountain passes, 10 per minute at the summit. Even telling or hearing stories at lunch adds Cures.
In eight years of running tours, no-one has ever told us they thought the tour was a failure or not worth the money. We always ask for input from our guests on all aspects of the tours. The response is usually that this is much better even than they expected.
Q: How can I learn more about Freedom Tours?
A: Over the years we've been featured in a number of magazine articles which are listed below. Several are included on this site, the links to them are on the Home page and here.
Wing World "Colorado Freedom" by George McCall, May 1992
Venture Road "Freedom Tour" by Mike Morgan, January 1993
Longmont Business Views "Mike Broadstreet At Home On The Road" by Lisa Johnson, April 1995
Rider Magazine "Peaks & Pinnacles" by Bill Stoughton, April 1995
Motorcycle Rider "Freedom of the Rockies" by Neil & Claire Bullock, June 1995
Motorcyclist "Rocky Mountain Sigh" by John Burns, January 1997
American Motorcyclist "Air Up There" by Bill Stermer, February 1997
BMW Owners News "Freedom of Choice" by Ron Young, March 1997
Classic Motorcycle Mechanic "Touring in the US and Shipping to UK" by Bill Jones, March 1998
BIKE Magazine "Only in America" by Kevin Muggleton, April 1998
VQ Magazine "Southwestern States of Mind" by; Bill Stermer, August 1999
AAA Westways Magazine "Riding the Rockies" by Marry Sorensen, July/August 2001
Motorcycle Consumer News "Freedom Tours' Canyon Roads Tour" by David L. Hough, June 2002
In the January 1999 issue, the staff of Motorcyclist magazine named Freedom Tours as one of their Four Favorite Touring Companies worldwide.
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