Hi, I’m Rick. I started guiding with Discovery Bicycle Tours in 2022, but the story really begins years earlier, with a flat tire and a conversation that stayed with me.
A Chance Conversation on the Road
My wife and I were Discovery guests first. Our first trip was the Coast of Maine tour in 2009. After that, we joined tours in the Eastern Townships of Quebec, along the Natchez Trace, and on a bike-and-barge trip in Belgium. I’ve been an avid cyclist since college, so biking vacations were a natural fit for us. On one of those early trips, I was chatting with a guide about what his job was like. Then my wife got a flat tire.
I stopped to fix it before the guide even reached us — guides usually ride toward the back of the group. By the time he caught up, I was putting the tire back on. He looked at me and said, “Wait — you can change a tire that fast?”
When I told him, “Sure, no problem,” he said, “You need to be a guide.”
I kept that conversation in the back of my mind. At the time, I was still deep in my first career. I spent nearly 30 years working for television companies in Latin America. I speak Spanish fluently and built a whole career in that world. When the company I worked for was sold in 2019 and then COVID hit, my wife reminded me of that old conversation. She said, “You really ought to apply for that job.”
From Guest to Guide
I sent my résumé to Discovery in 2022 and started that year with just a couple of trips, as travel was still coming back after COVID. In 2024, I led 11 trips, and 2025 is looking similar. I enjoy guiding tremendously, and I hope to keep doing it for years to come.
I’ve always had a service mindset. I like helping people. I like cooking for people. And I love being part of someone’s memorable vacation on a bike.
My love language is acts of service. If I can do something that makes your day a little easier or a little better, I’m happy. A simple “thank you” at the end of the day is more than enough.
My Favorite Moments: When Nature Takes Your Breath Away
I get to guide tours in some of the most beautiful places in the world.
When you drive the Discovery van up that final hill on a tour you've guided before and a pristine lake suddenly comes into view, everyone has the same reaction. There’s this sharp intake of breath, followed by one word: “Wow.”
Every time.
I like to prep guests for these moments with a “Get ready — here it comes,” and right on cue, you’d hear that collective gasp. It’s predictable as clockwork.
We’re not responsible for the scenery, of course. We’re just driving the van. But being part of that moment never gets old.
Anticipating Needs Before They Ask
Guiding is all about anticipation. It’s noticing what someone needs before they have to ask.
When we’re getting bikes ready and I see someone glancing around, I might think, “They’re looking for their helmet,” and walk it over. They’ll say, “That’s exactly what I was about to ask for. How did you know?”
A big part of the job is reading people. Do they want to talk about history? Ride side by side and chat? Be left alone with their thoughts for a while?
Sometimes someone wants space but doesn’t say it directly. You learn to read the energy and adjust. The goal is to help each guest have the kind of day that feels right for them.
The Variety Keeps It Interesting
I don’t specialize in one particular tour or region. Since I live in Colorado, I’ve led many western trips, including rail-trail tours in Idaho. I’ve also led multiple trips in Quebec, the Empire State Trail tour, and the Great Allegheny Passage in Pennsylvania.
The Empire State Trail is fascinating because you begin in downtown Manhattan, riding through New York City traffic and crowds. By the end, you’re in quiet countryside where you hardly see anyone else. It’s a dramatic contrast to Idaho’s peaceful rail trails.
I’m happy to go wherever Discovery needs me. I hope to lead many different tours over the years. That’s how you keep it interesting.
Memorable Guests and Connections
During introductions, I’m sometimes surprised when guests say they’ve been on 20 or 25 bike tours. That raises the bar. You want to give someone with that much experience their most memorable trip yet.
I also enjoy working with couples where one person is enthusiastic and the other is a little reluctant. Sometimes the hesitant partner says, “I’ll come along. I’ll take an e-bike. But I’m not sure how much I’ll enjoy it.”
If I can help that person truly have fun, that’s a special kind of success.
The E-Bike Revolution
I’ve had many conversations with guests who feel hesitant, or even guilty, about riding an e-bike, as if they’re not “really” cycling.
That couldn’t be further from the truth.
You’re on vacation. You may be riding terrain you’ve never experienced before. There’s no reason to add anxiety. With an e-bike, you can still get plenty of exercise, but you also have support when you need it.
An e-bike isn’t cheating. It’s a tool to help you enjoy the trip. You can always go home and ride your regular bike.
Looking Forward
How long will I keep doing this? My wife asks me the same thing.
I don’t know. This is a second career — a happy accident that turned into something I genuinely love. If I stay healthy, I could easily see myself doing this for another 10 years.
I’ll keep guiding as long as it’s fun and I can still stay one step ahead of my guests. There’s something deeply satisfying about helping people experience awe, whether that’s handing someone a fresh banana at just the right moment or watching them see Crater Lake for the first time.
Ready to Ride with Rick?
Want to experience Rick’s thoughtful guiding style on a bicycle tour? Check out our upcoming USA and Canada tours. Just don’t be surprised if he hands you exactly what you need before you ask.
Written by Rick Rohrbach for Discovery Bicycle Tours, drawing on DBT’s experience designing welcoming, scenic, guide-led bicycle tours since 1977.
