Tour FAQs
- When do the next bike tours start?
- How do I apply?
- How old do I have to be to join an Otesha bike tour?
- What kind of tour members are you looking for?
- Do I need theatre experience?
- Do I need experience with environmental and social justice issues?
- I'm not a strong cyclist. Can I still come on a bike tour?
- How many people ride on each tour?
- What kind of bikes do you ride?
- Where do you stay while on tour?
- Who decides how the team will live on tour?
- When does the tour start and end?
- How often do tour members get a day off?
- What safety measures do you take while on tour?
- Do I need travel medical insurance?
- How much does it cost to participate?
- How do I raise my project contribution?
- Does the project contribution cover everything?
- Are bursaries available?
- How do I prepare for the tour?
- Can I hear from people who went before?
- What's the best part about being on tour?
1. When do the next bike tours start?
In 2012, teams will be setting off in May and September. Click here for details.
2. How do I apply?
Simply click the link on the application page and follow the instructions.
We are accepting members on a first come first considered basis for each tour - the sooner you apply, the better chance you'll be accepted to the tour of your choice!
3. How old do I have to be to join an Otesha bike tour?
Team members should be 18 years of age or older.
4. What kind of tour members are you looking for?
The primary qualities we are looking for in prospective tour members are passion and commitment. Working as a collective means that we need people with gifts of all kinds – creativity, positivity, endless energy, great listening skills, humour, diplomacy, logistics, or general helpfulness. The more diverse a group we are, the more we can accomplish, the stronger our message, and the more we learn from each other.
5. Do I need theatre experience?
No, just a willingness to give it your all! Some team members bring previous theatre experience, while others become stage stars as the tour rolls on!
6. Do I need experience with environmental and social justice issues?
Great question! Have you ever turned off a tap because you believe in conserving water? Ever recycled a pop can because you believe in reducing landfill waste? Ever written a letter to a corporation or to the government? Ever bought fair trade chocolate or coffee? These are all experience if you ask us! And even if you haven't done anything like that before, but want to, you are more than welcome to join the party.
People come on tour with a variety of experiences. Some are vegan, while some are meat-eaters. Some bike everywhere; some own cars. Past tour members have worked for everyone from Greenpeace to an oil company. As we say in our performances, “we're focused on the future, not the past." No one is excluded because of their previous choices. We come together because of a desire to live our values, and to inspire others to do the same. Our variety actually makes us, and our performances, stronger.
7. I'm not a strong cyclist. Can I still come on a bike tour?
Yes, of course! One past cycling tour member hadn't been on a bike for 15 years before she joined an Otesha tour. With some serious determination you can do anything. Many tour members start out as novice bikers. Few have done any long distance touring. As one former tour member put it: “We're not cyclists. We're people taking action on bikes. We just got on our bikes and rode... It was never a race, and when someone was hurting, others slowed down or took another sandwich break with them. A few sore muscles and a few tough hills, mixed with lots of singing, laughing and feeling freer than ever before, and before we knew it, biking was like breathing... it just happens.... Trust us."
That being said, the more you prepare, the less you'll hurt! Check out Biking Across Canada for more info!
8. How many people ride on each tour?
Each tour brings together approximately 12 to 18 fantabulously awesome people.
9. What kind of bikes do you ride?
All kinds! From hardcore mountain bikes, to road bikes, to hybrid bikes to old bikes, new bikes, used bikes, and not so clean bikes, to cheap bikes, yellow bikes, blue bikes, and all those green bikes!
We don't practice bike discrimination, and with a couple twists of a wrench and perhaps some adjustments any bike can become a human-powered cross-country riding machine. We totally recommend that you check out getting a used bike – cheaper, more character, and better for the earth!
All you need for sure is a bike with a triple chain ring (if you don't know what that is, just ask us).
10. Where do you stay while on tour?
Thanks to the generosity of Canadians across the country we often stay in people's backyards and living rooms. We also stay in school gyms, church basements, campgrounds, curling rinks, old convents, and in our tents upon many random areas of beautiful grass. If you have contacts along the 2011 tour routes willing to provide us with accommodation, drop us a line to info@otesha.ca
11. Who decides how the team will live on tour?
You do! Each team will create its own sustainability mandate and community standards. That means, for example, together you will decide what will you eat, how you will manage your time, and what learning opportunities to explore.
12. When does the tour start and end?
Team members arrive on the first scheduled day of the tour, and depart the tour on the morning following the final scheduled day.
13. How often do tour members get a day off?
Teams usually take a break from riding and performances every sixth or seventh day. That means time for swimming, exploring the town, doing laundry, writing in journals, and wonderful relaxation... ahhh!
14. What safety measures do you take while on tour?
All tours take the following safety precautions:
- Training for all participants on safe biking practices
- Ongoing teach-ins from members about bike safety and repair
- Emergency cell phones
- All bikers are required to carry four litres of water each, sufficient food, and a tent per pair if riding on trails.
- Each rider has a bike buddy for the day (even if you don't ride side by side, buddies stay in view of each other)
- Each biking pair carries a small first aid and bike repair kit. The team also carries a full first aid kit and spare bike parts.
- Helmets are mandatory
- Bikers are required to wear bright reflective gear
- Biking at night is discouraged. When necessary, bikers must carry bike lights
- Biking with a personal listening device is prohibited
15. Do I need travel medical insurance?
Yes, if you are not a Canadian resident or not covered under a provincial health plan for other reasons, you require travel medical insurance. It costs about $1 per day.
However, if you are covered under your provincial health plan, you do not require additional insurance.
16. How much does it cost to participate?
Each tour member is responsible for raising a project contribution to cover their portion of the tour expenses such as food, liability insurance, tour planning and support, and equipment. The cost of tour is determined by the length of your program. The minimum fundraising goal for all two-month tours is $2,250.
17. How do I raise my project contribution?
We will provide you a fantastic fundraising package with ideas and resources that will help you reach out and create awareness in your community! Fundraising is easier then you would think- especially once you start sharing the amazing project you're about to take on with others.
18. Does the project contribution cover everything?
No. The project contribution does NOT cover your transportation to and from the tour, the costs of your bike, tent and other personal gear, or any extended health coverage. These costs can vary. Just how much you spend is up to you.
For example:
Kat’s never ridden a bike or gone camping before. She socked away some money and bought a bike ($300), panniers ($100), sleeping bag and pad ($200), and tent ($300). She brought along another $400 for laundry and spending money to buy her favorite organic, fair-trade chocolate bars to share on tour. Bus transportation to and from the tour cost her another $350. Total cost: $1,650.
Jason, on the other hand, is a thrift-machine! He used his own bike and borrowed his roommate’s panniers and his dad’s tent (which he’ll be sharing with another team member). He found used gear on CraigsList and at a local thrift shop. His gear bill totaled just $100. He decided to keep things simple on tour, hand washed his clothes, and brought along $200 to cover bike repairs and an occasional vegan gelato on his days off. He arranged a rideshare with a friend out to the tour, put in $50 for gas, and decided to continue biking after the tour to visit his brother. Total cost: $350.
19. Are bursaries available?
Yes! We strive to make our tours accessible to all. Bursaries are available on a first come first considered basis. Read all about the bursary program here.
20. How do I prepare for the tour?
Great Question! There is a wonderful set of magical paper work to be filled out once you are accepted on tour.
Also, you should familiarize yourself with the Otesha book From Junk to Funk as well as the fantabulous Reason to Dream play script (which will be provided to you upon acceptance on tour and receipt of your deposit).
Finally, we recommend that you do some physical training.
21. Can I hear from people who went before?
Of course! More than 400 people have cycled and performed on past Otesha bike tours. E-mail us at applications@otesha.ca and we will hook you up with one!
22. What's the best part about being on tour?
Everyone has a different answer, but for many of us it is the pure "empowerment juice" we receive from riding and performing together, and seeing the strength of our Otesha community. For many, it's also the privilege of seeing change happen, and the joy in realizing that YOU have made a difference.
