BioBus Bike Blog

Everyone at Urban AdvenTours is enjoying summer: blue skies, warm air, and exciting bike rides with new friends from all over the U.S. and the world. We can’t complain. But did you know we also run group tours? Besides the daily rides that Urban AdvenTours runs we offer a super way for groups to band together and become their own little cycling mob for a few hours.

Our group tours are an excellent way for your company, organization, or group to explore Boston in a fun, healthy, and environmentally friendly way. You might be in town for a convention and want to do a team-building event (biking is the new golf!), you might have a school group that would like to an engaging activity, or maybe you want get your friends together for a fun day out (maybe it’s your birthday). Whatever the occasion, doing a group ride is the perfect activity.

So what kinds of rides do we offer for groups? Well, besides our city tours we have some really cool rides crafted specifically for groups. Our most popular group tour is our own Paul Revere Ride to Freedom. We follow the route Paul Revere rode midnight April 18, 1775 from Boston to Concord to spread news that the British were coming. You’ll learn all about the events of the start of the American Revolution in the locations where they happened (UA guide Ed–in the photo above–has amazing encyclopedic knowledge on the subject).

We start at Landry’s Bicycles then head to the North End and see the Paul Revere statue, visit the Old North Church (where they hung those informative lanterns back in the day—you know, “one if by land, two if by sea”), then we cut through to Charlestown for a stop at the U.S.S. Constitution. At each location you’ll get some history and a little rest stop. Then we head north through Somerville and Medford to the Minuteman Bikeway all the way up to the Lexington Green (site of the “shot heard round the world”) for a catered lunch and a nice break. We finish our ride by heading to Concord and the Old North Bridge. It’s all very informative, but more importantly, it’s very fun.

We are also more than happy to put together a ride that is fitting for your group, like a Restaurant Ride or a Green Buildings of Boston Ride (both of which we’ve done in the past). There are endless permutations of what we can do, just contact us and we’ll be happy to work with you.

As far as logistics, we can accommodate 20-60 riders, each outfitted with bikes, helmets, and water. We provide a catered lunch and enough guides to ride with the group and help navigate everyone safely through the city streets and country roads. We also provide a ride back to your hotel or meeting point (or to a pub if you’re so inclined). The whole activity is really easy and it’s really fun.

If you’re interested in booking a group/corporate tour or have any questions about putting together a ride or just any questions at all, get in touch with Andrew, andrew@urbanadventours.com.

Check out this awesome little video we put together to give you a taste of what to expect:

So you’re ready to hop on a bike and see Boston, but you’re thinking: What can I expect on an Urban AdvenTours ride? Will the tour cover all the sights I want to see? Do I look good in this spandex bodysuit?

Well, first and foremost, you should know Urban AdvenTours offers some of the friendliest, most knowledgeable guides Boston has to offer. Their number one priority is to offer you a fun time getting to know the ins and outs of the city. Boston is a pretty accessible place—especially on a bike—so you’ll cover a lot of ground and learn a lot.

Urban AdvenTours offers three basic guided daily bike tours of Boston: the City View Tour, Photography Tour, and Art and Architecture Tour. All three hit the major Boston hot-spots. The places you’ll visit are all really cool in the way that they are all so ridiculously different from each other. You’ve got the always-present buzz of Red Sox devotion surrounding Fenway Park. There’s the dichotomy of old and new at Copley Square—historic churches across from modern skyscrapers (seriously, check out the image of the 130-year-old Trinity Church reflected in the mirrored Hancock Tower—it’s freaking awesome). You’ve also got the charming brownstones of Back Bay and the South End, the bustle of Faneuil Hall and the Quincy Markets, and the European warmth of Boston’s “Little Italy,” the North End. Here’s a hint: once you hit the North End, request a rest stop. You’ll find the cafes have the best espresso drinks and everyone on your tour will love you for providing them with the opportunity to “refuel” with a cappuccino and a cannoli. The rides also cover Beacon Hill, the Esplanade along the Charles River, and more.

You’ll also get your fill of Boston history and fun facts, as well as plenty of time to take photos. UA guides are all well-versed in the city’s background and love pointing out its idiosyncrasies. Plus, they are more than happy to snap some shots of you and your loved ones in front of the Prudential Center or wait for you to capture some photos of yet another Dunkin Donuts.

I guess this highlights another huge factor that sets UA tours apart—they are hands-on. Instead of falling asleep in a bus or a trolley while some driver cracks the same eye-rolling one-liners he’s been spouting for months about Sam Adams, you control the ride. You are a part of the city, not just a spectator. You are experiencing and exploring with your own hands and feet. Groups are usually around five to ten riders per tour (with the exception of special group rides and corporate tours) so it’s a personal, interactive experience.

Here’s a brief run-down on the mechanics of taking a tour: First, book it (duh). Then, on the day of your ride you’ll meet your guide at Landry’s Bicycles and be outfitted with a helmet, a mountain bike, a drink, and a snack. Then be prepared to hit the streets of Boston and enjoy a good ride. All levels of riders are welcome, though you should be (at the least) comfortable on a bike. Oh, and spandex bodysuits are purely optional.

Got any questions? Email us at info@urbanadventours.com. And be sure to keep it wheel.