While some travel bloggers charge for their eBooks, which is understandable considering the work they put in and the value of the content, other bloggers offer their work for free. One of them is travel and adventure addict Leigh McAdam, founder of the site HikeBikeTravel.com. Her past adventures include climbing Kilimanjaro, a bike tour in Africa, sea kayaking in Belize, climbing 36 peaks over 14,000 feet in Colorado, and many more. Leigh currently offers hike, bike and travel adventure guides to Canada, the US, Europe and South America.
I recently read the Banff to Jasper Tour Guide. This 16-page guide includes a Banff location map, 10 biking tips, trip highlights, how to get to Banff and Jasper, trip planning, where to rent a bike, where to find hotels in Banff, where to eat, other activities, a detailed itinerary with route notes, plus safety as the area is home to both black bears and grizzly bears. (Some parts in Banff National Park require you to hike in a group of four as, according to the park’s research, bears have never attacked a group with a minimum of four people.) Last you’ll find tour companies, useful websites, recommended books, and a packing list. Everything you need for a successful tour. While the content leaves nothing to wish for, what pleased me most were the many striking images of western Canadian landscapes.
Another favorite guide of mine is The California Wine Country Bike & Wine Guide. Like the Banff to Jasper Tour Guide it offers useful information such as how to get there, a detailed itinerary, day to day route notes, accommodation and restaurant suggestions, tour companies, recommended packing list, plus additional activities. Horseback riding, ballooning, local farmer’s markets, or spa treatments, anyone?
After reading the higlights on the second page, quoted below, you will know you’re in for an extraordinary experience.
Beautiful vineyards in rural setting
World class wine tasting rooms and tasting experience
Notable dining options
Lovely quiet rides off the beaten path
A wide range of accommodation choices
Small towns with very friendly people
Bike under a redwoods canopy
Ride the Pacific Coast Highway
Leigh McAdams guides can all be downloaded, after registering, at Free Travel Guides.
Thank you so much for the shout out Erica. I have often wondered why I put so much time, effort and money into doing the guides and you are the first travel blogger to recognize it.
Just FYI – I will have two more guides out this spring – one about hiking the Cumbria Way in England’s Lake District and one about traveling and biking on Canada’s Prince Edward Island and the Magdalene Islands of Quebec.
I hope your readers find inspiration from the guides!
You’re welcome, Leigh. Of course I want to let my readers know about your terrific guides. So much useful information – and for free, to boot.
I’m looking forward to see your new guides!
I’ll second that! These guides are incredible with so much great detail. Better than a guidebook and they’re free! ;-)
They totally are! I’m so glad I came across Leigh’s site last year.
I haven’t had the opportunity to use Leigh’s Guides, but I have peeked at a couple and they look great!
They all look great!
Wow, a free download of the guide! Thank you very much!
Hope you’ll enjoy the guides!