"My girlfriend Sandi and I both participated in the Atlantic Canada Cycling tour of the northern peninsula of Newfoundland last summer. We're both strong cyclists who will ride distances of up to 160 km (100 miles) on weekends. But we don't like to ride too fast. We'd never done a bike tour, organized or otherwise.

The first thing I would tell you about the tour is that there were cyclists of all strengths participating, from novices to experts, and I believe that everybody found the tour to be well designed, and challenging. The terrain is sometimes hilly, but the big factor is wind -- tailwinds and you're laughing, headwinds you're crying.

Atlantic Canada Cycling's management style of the tour was very good -- they don't baby you, so that you feel like you're accomplishing the tour on your own -- but they provide enough support and cold beer that you don't have to worry about anything but cycling and having a good time.

The northern peninsula of Newfoundland contains some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes I've ever beheld. It's also full of moose, which are a thrill to observe. The food is fantastic (provided you ask the chef to broil or bake your fish, rather than fry it), and the cultural landscape is sparse, but interesting.

I would highly recommend this trip, and, if I it hadn't turned me on to cycle touring as much as it did so that I'm already thinking about where to go next, I'd do it again!"

L. Poplak