Colorado Rocky Mountain High vs Backroads Banff and Jasper Multi-sport
Last year we we went on a multi-sport vacation with Backroads to Banff National Park and Jasper parks in Canada. This year we went with Wilderness Voyageurs to Colorado. The Wilderness Voyageurs trip was far superior: we had excellent guides, good maps and cue sheets (directions) and the bikes had programmed GPS devices showing where to go, turn, etc. One guide was always with us, either in front or riding ‘sweep’ to make sure nobody got lost or left behind. One guide was a bike mechanic quick to fix any problems.
Backroads had fancier bikes, but lacked a mechanic. My wife had constant trouble with her bike that they refused to address: the chain and likely gears were worn out and slipped when hard pressure (i.e. going uphill) was applied. We had cue sheets, but without a bike computer who can guess how far they have ridden in an unfamiliar area with multiple hills? The guides did not ride with us. Saved us money on the tip, though! Backroads did offer better accommodations, although the hotels chosen by Wilderness were very good. Backroads did offer better food, although the only bad meal we had from Wilderness was the final dinner.
We are contemplating another trip with Wilderness Voyageurs. I will not use nor can I recommend Backroads.
Rating: Excellent *****
Jeffrey Engel
Athens, GA
Bike Tour Taken: Colorado Rocky Mountain High (renamed Colorful Colorado)