I have to admit that I was a bit anxious about this adventure. I hadn’t ridden a bike for at least 10 years and the last time I rode for any distance was probably before I learned to drive. On the positive side, I had been exercising almost daily for two months.  I was confident my cardiovascular system would be up to the challenge, but I wasn’t quite sure about my posterior.  But, in the end (no pun intended), I would rank my Boston bike tour with Urban AdvenTours in my top 10 travel experiences. 

Urban AdvenTours is located on Atlantic Avenue not far from the New England Aquarium T station and they offer a variety of guided bike tours sharing Boston’s entertaining and historic past. After completing the obligatory liability releases, I met my guide, Patrick Kelleher-Calnan and a couple from North Carolina who joined us for the tour.  Patrick explained how the shift mechanisms worked and encouraged us to try out our bikes (bikes, water, helmets are all part of the tour package) before the “real” tour began.  After a wobbly start, I found my balance, figured out how to shift gears and (more importantly) how to brake and I was ready to roll. 

The 3-hour ride took us more than 10 miles through some of Boston’s most interesting neighborhoods.  It began with a ride through the North End neighborhood, well known for its Italian roots.  We stopped at Copp's Hill Burying Ground, the second oldest cemetery in Boston, founded in 1659.  We were able to look over Boston Harbor and view the Navy Yard, home to the USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned ship still afloat. 

The route continued past the Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge, the world’s widest cable-stayed bridge (and quite a fascinating structure) and the TD Garden.  (I had the opportunity to see a Bruins game there during my stay in Boston.)  So far the route was relatively flat and I was feeling quite full of myself.  And then, there it was!  We were at the bottom of Beacon Hill.  Keep momentum, down shift, pedal, pedal, pedal, feel the burn . . . . and!  And, unfortunately, forward and upward progress stopped short of the top and I had to walk the bike up the rest of the hill. 

The rest of the route was relatively easy going.  We rode along the Charles River, through Boston University and stopped at Fenway Park.  As a baseball fan, I was intrigued with the building, but still harbored resentment from when the Red Sox eliminated the Cleveland Indians from the playoffs a few years ago.  Further along the route we stopped at the Christian Science Plaza and Reflecting Pool, the 14-acre area home to the Church of Christian Science.  We continued through the South End and into Copley Square. 

We were about 2-1/2 hours into the tour and I was tired.  (Seeing my hotel just 500 feet away I fought the impulse to sneak away.)  Patrick led us through Boston’s Theatre District and past Boston Common and finally back to Atlantic Ave.  During the entire trip, Patrick had shared insight about the things we saw along the route and other interesting tales about life in Boston.  As I rode the T back to my hotel, I was exhausted but felt an incredible sense of accomplishment.  It occurred to me that I had two bikes in my mud room that needed a little TLC, and maybe, just maybe, I would get one of them road ready. 

What are your experiences with bike tours?  Let us know about your recommendations