Where are you located? In some respects that makes a difference, like if you were at the foot of the Lolo Motorway on the Lewis and Clark trail and wanted to lead groups over the pass, or are you on an established route or would you need to draw clients to you? Do you have any sort of client base have you established? Do you have trip leadership experience or would you need training? (Like ACA's "Leadership Training course, NOLS, etc.) Self-supporting, van-supported or "credit-card" tours? Equipment: Suitable vehicles, trailers, repair tools, parts, first aid supplies, coolers, stoves, etc. etc. Insurance? A marketing and business plan?
We tried this a few years back, and were only partly successful. Were still do the trips (self-supported MTB trips)for small groups, mostly as skills-teaching sessions, but on an occasional basis. Most of our clientele are missionary students, (primarily Lutheran) seeking training for travel in the Third World environment. We led a successful trip in Russia a few years back and built on that. Our primary emphasis, however, is first aid/medical training. About once every other year we put on a Wilderness First Aid Bike Trip and ride half a day, teach half a day. It is certainly a niche-type thing, but we found that tours alone wouldn't cut it here in MN. We have seen two other start-up bike tour services come and go in the past few years.
Personally, I think you are too late in the season if you plan to start this year. The big names like Cycle America and Western Spirit (not to mention ACA!) have been booking trips since February, which is when their brochures come out.
Good luck!
Hans
Hans Erdman, WEMT
Backcountry Trail Patrol-MN
www.trailpatrol.org
