Our Story: A Passion for Beer and Bikes Becomes a Business
Bob and Katy have been traveling together almost since the night they met. What began with road trips and simple cycling holidays soon grew into a life of exploring the world. As Katy pursued teaching opportunities at international schools, Bob stayed home with the kids and planned the family’s next adventures. A lifelong cyclist, Bob naturally found ways to incorporate bikes into many of those travels.
While living in Kobe, Japan, Bob and a good friend, Simon, started Thursday evening rides they simply called Beer & Bike — or BnB when they wanted to keep it a secret! Before long, the rides became increasingly popular. Those Thursday evenings grew into a community of friends who planned adventures together and encouraged one another to try new things. From running ultramarathons to discovering a shared love of whisky, Beer & Bike became about much more than cycling and beer. It was about friendship, adventure and making the most of life.
As their time in Japan came to an end, Bob and Katy planned to return to the United States and settle in Fort Collins, Colorado. With both kids heading off to school, Bob realized it was time to turn his passion into a full-time business. The weekly Beer & Bike gatherings became an informal brainstorming session about what it might look like to share these experiences with travelers. With Katy’s encouragement and the support of both kids, Bob launched Beer & Bike Tours in 2013.
Since then, we’ve taken guests around the world in search of great cycling, memorable places and exceptional local beer. What started with a few friends riding together has grown into a collection of cycling adventures throughout Europe, bringing together beautiful routes, local culture, independent breweries and the people who make each destination special.
Today, our family calls Belgium and The Netherlands home, perfectly placed to explore the country’s remarkable beer culture and the many cycling adventures Europe has to offer. Our tours have expanded well beyond our original destinations, and we love helping guests discover new places one pedal stroke — and one great beer — at a time.
And when Bob isn’t guiding a tour? The adventure doesn’t stop. We still travel as a family by bicycle, discovering new roads, exploring unfamiliar places and enjoying the freedom that comes with traveling on two wheels. Those family adventures continue to inspire the way we travel and the experiences we create for our guests.
Beer & Bike Tours has always been about more than getting from A to B. It’s about slowing down, connecting with people and places, enjoying the journey and finding something wonderful along the way.
Come ride with us and discover where your next adventure will take you!