Bicycle Adventures Now Exclusive Provider for Japan Cycling Association’s 20,000 Members

July 9, 2014 - PRLog -- Issaquah, WA,  – Bicycle Adventures (http://bicycleadventures.com/), a Pacific Northwest-based active travel company specializing in two-wheel tours in North America, Hawaii (the Big Island) and New Zealand, has signed an agreement with the Japan Cycling Association (http://www.j-cycling.org/) (JCA) to be an exclusive provider of bike tours in North America for its 20,000 members.

This arrangement, the culmination of 18 months of collaboration, with Shin-ichi Maniwa, Adviser and Chief of JCA Cycling Information Center and signed by Vice President Motohiko Kato, brings Bicycle Adventures front and center to association members and any Japanese cyclist seeking bike tour information through the association’s network of both domestic and foreign travel agencies, explained Todd Starnes, Bicycle Adventures’ president.

On a special Bicycle Adventures website (http://bicycleadventures.com/jp/), the home page has been translated into Japanese with an informative video link also in Japanese. This project is scheduled to launch late 2014.

A survey is being sent to JCA’s membership to ascertain themes and regions preferred for cycling tours. Depending on the destination, members will receive a special value-add via tour perks/benefits/access. Japanese travel agents, through whom most bookings will be done, will receive a 10 percent booking commission.

Starnes anticipated that services to this Japanese market may extend to include airport meet/greet programs, on-bus narratives and different paced itineraries.

Japan has recognized cycling as a healthy sport since the mid 1950s. The association was formed in 1964 by the Minister of Education as a non-profit foundation to promote cycling and was later authorized by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as the sport contributes to the bicycle production and parts industry. As of early 2014 it counted some 20,000 members, with plans to grow in four years to between 150,000 and 200,000 members. All 47 prefectures in Japan cooperate with regional cycling associations. Headquarters are 1-9-3, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 107-0052 Japan.

For more information contact Bicycle Adventures by phone: 800.443.6060, email: office@bicycleadventures.com or visit online at: http://bicycleadventures.com/.

About Bicycle Adventures -North America’s Premier Bicycle Touring Company™. Scenic byways, four and five-star accommodations and local dining and visits to National Parks are trademarks of Bicycle Adventures, founded in 1984.  Types of tours include Classic (http://bicycleadventures.com/tours/classic-bike-tours) (25-50 miles a day), Classic Plus (http://bicycleadventures.com/tours/classic-plus-bike-tours) (50-60 miles a day) and Epic (http://bicycleadventures.com/tours/epic-bike-tours) (70+ miles a day with the most demanding terrain). Value-driven Casual (http://bicycleadventures.com/tours/casual-bike-tours) category trips offer budget-conscious lodging and meals, with the same full van support.

Pre-set and custom (http://bicycleadventures.com/tours/custom.asp) tours embrace the Pacific Northwest into Canada, California and the Southwest, as well as Colorado, South Dakota, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Hawaii and New Zealand. Excelling in its own backyard the Issaquah, WA-based company conducts tours of Washington State’s wine country and offers Pub and Pedal (http://bicycleadventures.com/tours/pub-and-pedal-bike-tours) programs focused on the craft beer industry in California, Oregon and Washington. Cyclists can opt for tours embracing the following National Parks: Arizona - Saguaro; Canada - Banff, Jasper and Waterton Lakes; Colorado - Rocky Mountain; Hawaii - Hawaii Volcanoes and City of Refuge; Montana - Glacier; Nevada - Death Valley; New Mexico - Bandolier; Oregon - Crater Lake and Columbia River Gorge NSA; South Dakota - Badlands; Utah- Zion, Bryce; Washington - North Cascades and Mt. Rainier.

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Sara Widness / 802-234-6704 / sara@widnesspr.com

Dave Wiggins / 303-554-8821 / dave@travelnewssource.com

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