The tour guides are the heart of the business, we all know that. They can help make or break your bicycle vacation. We want them to be enthusiastic, fun, supportive, patient, informative, and encouraging. We depend upon them to haul our luggage, fix our bikes, feed us, and generally take excellent care of us. So why entrust your bicycle vacation to just any average-joe guide? It’s time to travel with the best Great Bike Tours! Our veteran guides have been leading bicycle vacations since 1996, and have accompanied over 5,000 people on their trip-of-a-lifetime. So what are you waiting for… come travel with us!
Your Bike Tour Guides
Simon Burrows
Born in South Africa and raised in England, Simon has worn many hats in his lifetime… nuclear physicist, published author, Innkeeper… he’s done it all. Simon is a 22-year veteran of the bicycle tour business. He has led bike tours in New Zealand, Canada, and in every corner of the U.S. In 2004 he founded his first bike tour company, followed in 2012 by his second company – Great Bike Tours – of which he is the co-owner.
Jessica Lacroix
Keeping everyone in line is Jessica, our Operations Manager. She is constantly designing fantastic new tours for us, and has personally led all of our trips in the U.S., Canada, and New Zealand. She is the co-owner of Great Bike Tours.
Chris Morrissey
Over the last 18 years over 1,500 people have been privileged to have Chris as their bike tour leader. As a certified bicycle technician from the United Bicycle Institute in Oregon, we are also very lucky to have Chris managing our fleet of bikes. In the winter you’ll find him skiing & boarding in the Green Mountains of Vermont, and helping others do the same through his work at the Skirack, a top-rated outdoor outfitter.
Elliot Lacroix
A devotee of the National Outdoor Leadership School, Elliot’s degree in Leadership Training and Wilderness Therapy are serving him well at GBT. He is a certified bicycle technician (United Bicycle Institute in Oregon). Although a Vermont native, Elliot resides in Colorado and loves rock climbing, sustainable living, and cooking.
Paula Sheridan
Born in Canada, Paula has been designing and guiding bike tours for the last 21 years. In the Okanagan Wine Valley of British Columbia she formed KVR Outfitters to provide rental bikes and bike tour services for guests on the local Kettle Valley Rail Trail. Paula also lives in New Zealand, where she started Okarito Boat Tours, providing our guests with guided eco-boat-tours of their lagoon.
"Swade"
Our resident nature guide Swade leads tours in Alaska, New Zealand, and Canada. From June to October you’ll find him guiding bike tours in the Okanagan wine region of British Columbia. From November to May he migrates down to New Zealand so he can captain our eco boat tours on the Okarito Lagoon.
Julian Lacroix
Julian can be found guiding our trips in the U.S. and New Zealand. Equally happy on two legs as two wheels, Julian enjoys month-long “walkabouts” in places like Tasmania, New Zealand, and India. He is pursuing his Masters degree in Wilderness Leadership & Cultural Studies. His other passions include climbing, woodworking, furniture design, and singing.
Lu Sutton
Born in England, the effervescent Lu has been leading walking and biking trips for some 15 years across Europe, North and South America, and New Zealand. A passionate traveler, gastronome, and linguist, she will share her enthusiasm and professionalism wherever she goes. Most recently she qualified as a Laughter Yoga Teacher, so prepare for some fun! When she’s not working for Great Bike Tours, Lu resides in northwest corner of Spain.
Maggie Mae Anderson
Hiking guide, cycling guide, yoga instructor, massage therapist, certified doula… Maggie Mae can do it all.
Deb Snedden
After 10 years leading bicycle vacations in the Canadian Rockies, Deb now lives in the Okanagan wine region of British Columbia. Deb is our go-to guide for our private bike tours in Canada.