I'm looking for some detailed information on being a tour leader. I've done hours of research and can only seem to find vague information. I'm looking for specifics like pay rates, insurance/legal issues, and the practicality of being a tour guide as my only job.
I'll provide some background on myself. I'm about to finish up a military career due to medical reasons and I am looking to be a full time tour leader. I realize I'll need to take the ACA course etc. I have a lot of personal experience both riding long tours and wrenching my own bikes. From the biography page, it looks like most folks are retired or lead tours part time. I'm 31 years old and my wife and I live in an RV so we are very mobile and could easily relocate often. I'm not quite sure I want to start my own guide business, I think I'd prefer to start working for someone else, at least at first. Making a lot of money is not a priority, I think life is for living, not racing to see who can get the most cash before they die, but I would like to be able to make a reasonable amount to live on. The ACA site simply says "All tour leaders are independent contractors". Do you start an LLC and get waivers/legal issues taken care of personally or is ACA involved in the process? Do you work for larger companies like Cycle America? Perhaps a combonation of both?
I read the info on ACA but I am looking for more details. Is there anyone out there who does this full time? What is the day to day like? I'm open to any and all comments whether it is from people who have been on ACA led tours or those who have led them personally. Thanks in advance.
Cheers,
Evan