Cycle touring is riding a bicycle for a single day ride, for multiple days, weeks, or months over long distances with the goal of adventure and visiting regions away from your home. This may include other cities, states/provinces, and countries around the world.
These tours may be organized on a solo basis, by a group of friends, or with a tour operator.

* If you will be cycling for a week or two in Europe or North America, the best time is from mid-May to the end of June or early September until the end of October. This is because the weather is generally good, airfares (if necessary) are cheaper, and there are fewer tourists at the various attractions, such as castles or parks that you may wish to visit.
* However, also consider any special events that you may wish to include in your trip, such as watching a stage of the Tour de France, which is held in July.
* If joining a group ride from a tour operator, you will, of course, need to go during the scheduled dates.
* If visiting other parts of the world, always check on weather conditions, as there is nothing worse than cycling during the rainy season day after day or when it is extremely cold, that is no fun.

* Self-supported or fully loaded touring – you will be carrying everything on your bicycle, including a lightweight tent (or bivy sack) and other camping equipment, plus food. Usually, front and rear panniers are required. You will be planning your itinerary.
* Credit card or lightweight touring – you carry a change of clothing, some tools, and toiletries in your rear panniers and stay in B&Bs, hotels, or hostels overnights. Meals are at cafes, restaurants or purchased at grocery stores/markets. You may plan your itinerary.
* Ultralight touring – similar to lightweight touring except you carry only essential items.
* Supported touring – normally organized by a tour operator or charity, and offers a vehicle that transports your luggage to the next stop on the itinerary, with accommodation arranged. The route is planned for you; sometimes meals are arranged, rental bikes may be available, and there may be an experienced guide.
* Day touring – where a group of cyclists are staying in a city or region for a few days or a week and going on daily rides. For instance, on a cycle vacation, a group of us rented a villa in Tuscany for one week and explored the area daily on our bikes. You may rent cottages, cabins, camps, or stay in hotels if in a major city.
* Bike Overnights – usually on a weekend when you cycle to a destination and return the next day, spending the night in a campground or hotel. Very common on charity rides, and there may be SAG support.
Expedition touring – this is for the more experienced who visit more remote areas, while long-distance bicycle touring, usually for an extended period. They will be planning their itinerary and carrying camping gear and more.
* Bike Packing – refers to off-road adventures

A few things to consider when planning your cycling itinerary:
It depends on the route and the time you have. For example, if taking the popular cycling route between Passau and Vienna, I might allow for one week, so I just divide the total distance by seven.

When bicycle touring, I sometimes spend an extra night or two at selected places where I might want to explore further.

It also depends on your average speed (remember you are riding loaded), the terrain (hilly, rolling, flat), stops to sightsee, and available campsites or accommodations.  I usually cover between 50–100 kilometres (30–60 miles) per day, although some of my friends go further.

At the end of the day, it depends on the type of tour you prefer. Sometimes it is better to explore one region thoroughly, or you may be on a long-distance trip with limited time and need to spend a lot of time in the saddle.

Both things to consider:
* Cost to carry your bicycle on an airplane (if required)
* Quality of rental touring bicycles
* Issues associated with packing a bike and getting it to the airport
* Rental costs for a bike
* Rental locations
* It is best to use your own bicycle where possible in North America
Some rental bicycle shops permit you to pick up at one location and drop off at another while others offer a pick-up service.

Yes and no. It depends on how many cyclists are riding together and whether I expect hotel or B/B accommodation to be available on arrival.

Advantages of reservations
*Do not need to rush tothe destination each day
* On rainy days, I appreciated having something waiting on arrival and not having to search
* Able to have accommodation in busy destinations or during special events. For instance, in Germany and Austria, it can be difficult to find accommodation on Friday and Saturday evenings.
* Know the price in advance and generally find better-priced accommodation.
Saves on tourist office booking fees.
* Can save valuable time during your cycle vacations. Having to search for accommodation on arrival typically takes 30 to 90 minutes.
* Able to locate more interesting places at a reasonable cost that I would not otherwise find… a former monastery in Hungary, a medieval stone-walled hillside hotel in France, a Bed and Breakfast in busy Montreux, a villa in Tuscany
* If cycling with a group of friends ensures you find enough rooms in one location.

Advantages of not having reservations
* You can have a more flexible itinerary, particularly in bad weather. Once, we required major repairs to our bicycles, which required several phone calls to adjust our route.

No, if you are lightweight touring or supported touring, a good road bicycle with some racks for your panniers will work fine. You may wish to consider slightly bigger tires.
Yes, if on a self-supported or expedition tour, you should have a touring bicycle as you will most likely have front and rear panniers for the extra gear, such as a tent (or bivy sack) and camping

Ride only with a basic tool kit, bike pump, and spare tire tubes, although some take spare spokes and tires, and you should be fine. You can generally find a local bike shop to assist if you require additional help.